First Filipino BL Series Going Mainstream

This would be the  first Filipino (mainstream?) BL series. It is in the works (but too bad there's an on going pandemic so everything will be postponed) One of the actors mentioned he started watching Thai BLs particularly "Sotus" as a reference for his first gay role. Honestly, I haven't heard of any previous projects of the main leads. So, probably if this becomes successful, they must pave the way for more BL series in the country. They're quite attractive actually so I hope their profile pictures would do them justice. The poster here looks cheesy as well (though there are no official poster yet ), so I hope they could do a better one since this would be the first Filipino BL series. Anyhow, I have seen potential in many young Filipino actors so I'm sure this would make noise. 

Let me tell you this, Filipinos have been very open to the LGBTQ+ community, but not as much for the mainstream entertainment (probably would censor it a lot). Sad to say, conventional views of the religion (Christianity) still affects how the society thinks. Yes, we have gay indie movies. However, they are often expected to be erotic, depressing, dark, prostitution-related and violent at times (I get it since they get the best drama and acting from it that potentially gets international recognition). It's unlike many Thai BL dramas that shows light in the issue, tackles family and friends, acceptance and happy endings - especially for teenagers (who are coming of age) who have the most troubles about learning their sexuality and coming out.

I don't have any idea about how these first Filipino BL stories go... but  instead of showing the depressing side of BL / LGBTQ+, why not give more hope to love and to life. Also, I hope for a better quality both settings and cinematography (their profile pictures and drama poster too). I hope they show more of the Filipino culture and touristy sights.

Hi, first, I love teleserye, some of them are so popular in Indonesia like pangako sa'yo, marimar; BL genre I watch my husband's lover on YouTube, to be honest if compare with other tv series from Korea or Thailand these days, teleserye look old it look a like comes from 80's and 90s cinema, and you're right BL series from Philippines mostly tell story about sex and everything that in you're explanations, if teleserye want to catch millennials viewers they should change 

Philippines have a chance to kick Taiwan BL series after HIStory producer in hiatus; about censorship, I think Philippines more open than China right? Remember addicted shangyin series? While Korea can't officially produce BL series and Japanese BL series was so boring 

So, if teleserye want to produce BL series in new concept, this is your chance

Can't wait to watch good BL series in future

It's interesting to know that countries such as from the neighboring Southeast Asian and African countries have shown interest in Filipino "teleseryes". I admit that many of them have good stories to tell and many of the actors/actresses are attractive and talented. So, that's why I think they have so much potential for an even better story-line and not the recycled ones. Korea has really high standards in making unique and high quality stories. That's why, not only the actors and directors get the spotlight, writers are also that popular and respected (not to mention the whole studio/company). However, it's true that the quality and the theme usually resembles 80s and 90s or even older than that. We were hugely influenced by the Spanish/Mexican/Colombian "telenovela" since they became mainstream in the past. It's because it naturally captures the majority household viewers in the country, mostly the masses but not the millenials. Young people here prefer to binge watch Netflix, YouTube, and other online streaming services. As a result, young Filipinos are one of the largest international audience/fans to Korean, Thai, Chinese and so on (also, they're actors are very attractive).

Like South Korea, possibly like China, the Philippines will likely censor or even try to ban LGBTQ+ themed series especially BLs. The ministry involved in reviewing mainstream shows here is apparently conventional and religious (that reflects the current view of the society, especially the elders). That's why, instead of going mainstream, gay-themed movies/series are often indie or in small productions. Though not directly stated, they think these themes would somehow contaminate the young minds of the youth. BLs, I think, would probably be for 19+ viewers.

Though there are mainstream shows that introduce gay characters (an improvement), they (e.g. On the Wings of Love; A Soldier's Heart) are normally in very minor roles (especially the discreet/confused gays). Feminine gays and/or trans are roles for comedic purposes (making them clowns in the show at times). Even sometimes, they're shown as aggressive and flirtatious. My Husband's Lover is a very brave move of a TV network (since they actually do not conform to such strict opposition to gay love on mainstream TV). They get really good reviews, but the Filipino society was not ready for it. Thus, it received a lot of criticism from the religious and the old.

Now, since the biggest TV network (the most mainstream) has been shut down by the government because of some legal issues of the company, the second TV network (that produced My Husband's Lover) and the third biggest (that will produce My Extra Ordinary - the first mainstream BL series in the Phils) have the biggest chance of changing how new Filipino TV series approach.

One more thing, I hope they improve on the setting of the drama (not only always in the slums as the mainstream shows). The Philippines has many urban, clean, and touristy shooting locations. Also, the camera they use are old and of low quality. CGI, if used, is like a primary school project. We have so many things to improve, but I hope this new BL series would pave the way.
 

@arifsaggio

Thanks for your insights into the Asian BL scene. I do agree that BL from Japan usually has an older cast in comparison to other countries. The annoying thing about BL from Japan is also that translations and international releases can take up to a year to reach fans outside of Japan. Japan is coming out with a few new movie-titles lately though like ''The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese '' and ''His ''.  These movies have a younger cast so you may enjoy them more (when they finally release outside of Japan). I had already seen ''My Brothers Husband'' but I'm gonna check out the other J-BL you mentioned. 

Personally, ''The Untamed'' is what got me into BL but I can understand that from a veteran-BL point of view it's just not up to standard with modern BL. I chose to look at it like a bromance production and I always seperate the terms BL and bromance so I can judge them independently from each other. For a bromance ''The Untamed'' is pretty good but I personally love a good bromance and BL equally which is definitely not the case for everyone. 

I'm not very aware about BL outside of the K,C,J,T,T countries but I do know about the Western ones like SKAM and Élite (as a sub-plot). Interesting to hear that Vietnam and Mexico also tried something with BL. Turkish dramas can be considered as European and I think it may just be the same case as with Filipino dramas, they redo the same formula too much and don't capture the younger audiences. That's just what I think about it though. 

@arifsaggio  

Thanks for the Vietnamese recommendation! The first episodes reminded me of the Tharntype special episode where Type goes to his parents with Tharn. 

I noticed the guys from Vietnam have their hair done VERY differently from other Asian countries I know. They have the hair cut short on the sides and combed up on the top, never seen that before but this is my first Vietnamese drama. 

What I am used to with hairstyles:

Japan often has slightly longer messy hair or very straight hair for their guys, Korea has the fluffy-styled hair with the young guys having bangs, Thai hair is similar to Korean hair but with more volume up top and less down and China kinda does a mixture of styles but usually with less volume. Anyway, just a curious observation. I get interested in details like that from time to time. 

Anyway I think you already know about this as a BL-veteran but just posting it since it's the only Vietnam BL-content I know about. 

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GuR_g75ufY 

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6IiLmjQYg 

Jdoramas and Japanese BL:

J-BL definitely has its issues but I'm thankful that it has it's own identity and doesn't try to copy from other countries too much. Jdorama is certainly unique and doesn't have as much international appeal as Kdrama does, Japan mostly finds international succes with their animated series. I do like specific Jdoramas like those that deal with the societal pressures/psychological games since they can capture that very well. Kdrama is just much better at capturing romance and that's what most people wanna see in a drama. 

The Lakorn problem: 

This problem is so deeprooted in Thai lakorns. The violence accompanied with the lovemaking even has it's own genre-name called ''Slap&Kiss''. Most people who aren't used to lakorn can be pretty disturbed by it since it's essentially ass*ult or in the worst cases r*pe. Thai culture doesn't identify certain ass*ults as bad as long as the people end up in love together/are in a relationship. This is honestly horrible and I was shocked when I first learned about this. R*pe has also been a problem in the Chinese Danmei community with MLM relationships and writers using this as a trope to deepen the relationship instead of calling it out as a bad thing. I hope new generations of writers will refrain from using these horrible tropes. 

China and BL:

I personally didn't want to watch episodes of filler for just a few nice moments with Winter Begonia. I have this problem with most Chinese bromance stories, they do need to actively push for cute moments if they want my interest. The Untamed was an exception because I kinda loved the main actors in that one too much. MODC HIStory was a crime and you're definitely not alone in your opinion about it. Honestly at this point I just want another detective lovestory, MLM detective-detective or detective-criminal pairings are definitely my favourites (Like Trapped). 

Western BL:

Yeah Western BL is definitely not for everyone. The culture in the West with LGBT is very different and kdrama romanticism hasn't influenced that media at all. I did like SKAM France though but that's probably because I like the looks of the French guys and the language is beautiful. I do think that Western BL doesn't do the teasing as much (and to such lenghts) but they do have some flirting and shyness if you look for it. 

@arifsaggio 

Oh you're still longer in the BL world than I am though. I only started at the start of 2020 with Tharntype, got me into SOTUS and the rest.

You have seen more than me though! I still need to finish What the duck and I gotta start Theory of love and even Love Sick sometime. I'm currently also watching tons of other genres though but hope to get to it sometime in the future. 

And yeah the hairstyle thing xD I don't know I just focus on the style of the guys a lot but you're right that the love-part is way more important. I think the Philippines is doing fine, time has passed and some BL series have already hit the scene and they're doing well with BL fans. But yeah they do gotta keep an open mind and see what works and what doesn't work. I checked out the  love, Victor trailer back when this convo happened and yeah I totally agree it was cute!

Thanks for adding me as a friend!

Hello again @arifsaggio  

Yeah its been a while! I'm glad about the amount of upcoming Filipino BLs though. I think they have incredible potential. I share your opinion about Gameboys as it would be nice to see some more real life interaction in a BL but it was still good. 

A nice weekend to you as well friend! Stay safe and much fun watching your series!