'Quaranthings' is a teenage drama and romantic series about coming of age, acceptance and coming out with a tender story in which there is a very innocent approach to first love.
Based on the script by Rod Mármol, known for creating LGBT+ stories and characters such as those in 'The Super Parental Guardians' and 'Mata Tapang', the audiovisual is set in Manila, the Philippine capital, in times of quarantine due to Covid -19, and tells the story of Judah Dela Vega, a rich young university student who has to maintain social distancing in an apartment shared with several fellow students, but where he has been left alone due to the departure of the others due to the cessation of the classes motivated by the new coronavirus pandemic.
At home things are not better: his mother, Jane Dela Vega (LJ Moreno-Alapag), works abroad, and Lolly, his devoted grandmother (Gina Pareño) has rejected him after learning of his homosexuality and sends him to a camp. of conversion, so Judah refuses to return home with the lady.
However, his life changes when he crosses paths with Rocky Ilagan, a college classmate who has to work part-time because of the poverty in which his family lives, and who is forced to live in the same dormitory due to who has not been able to travel home to the provinces due to road closures.
The protagonists of the series are two broken boys, one for not having been accepted by his grandmother when he came out of the closet, which is why he has distanced himself from the person who raised him in the absence of his mother, and the other for hiding his homosexuality. before her mother when she read a text with a clear sign of suicidal instinct by preferring death instead of confessing her secret.
The main charm of the series directed by Pancho Maniquis (Stuck on You, 2021) comes from the relationship between the two young people, who build a very special bond. The chemistry between Royce Cabrera and Kyo Quijano, who play Rocky and Judah, respectively, is palpable: the two transmit tenderness, camaraderie and a lot of affection.
This helps a lot at a certain point in the plot in which the internalized homophobia of one of the protagonists threatens the love forged between the two, since the warmth is felt despite the conflict created.
Although the character of Royce is the one that receives the most development, and falls in love with his straight boy aura, the deep sensitivity in the struggle with his sexuality and for protecting the person he has fallen in love with, Kyo Quijano makes sure that We grow fond of his Judah because of the complexity of his character and the nuances he brings to it with his performance. We do not want any other ending other than happiness for the two lovers.
Royce acts precise and with innate naturalness, as always. He knows how to take his character to emotional levels without falling into drama. This young actor transmits at all times the transformation that occurs in his character. The casting work is absolutely right in his choice, given that he is able to understand and sentimentally reveal his character to the viewer.
This character's conflict lies in the fact that since his father is a priest, it is difficult for him to admit to him that he is gay. He never confesses his homosexuality to his deceased mother and the fact that he has not done so is something that haunts him.
Both actors have defended various LGBT characters. Royce Cabrera is known for playing the protagonists Ace Policarpo in 'Fuccbois' and Lito in 'Call Me Papi', and for participating in other feature films and series with homosexual themes, such as 'Where Is the Lie?', 'A Soldier's Heart' and 'B X J Forever'.
For his part, Kyo Quijano plays Bryan's boyfriend in 'Luv Express', and Freddie in 'Mahal Kita Beksman', a 2022 feature film.
The supporting cast also does a good job without ever stealing the show. Gina Pareño, remembered for her role as Nanay Flor in the 2008 film 'Serbis', plays a character who will end up accepting her grandson's homosexuality and supporting the relationship that he has begun to build with Rockie. With an infectious laugh, a cheerful countenance and many funny words, the actress reveals why she initially rejects Judah, and gives us more than one touching moment.
Domingo Cumla, in his first appearance on screen, also touches and manages to give nuances to his character beyond being the stereotype of a widowed father, loving and grateful for the kindness of his son, who provides monetarily and materially for the poor family.
Joining them is Beverly Cumla, whose acting debut took place in 2018 in the film 'A Country in Moving Pictures', and on this occasion she has a brief but memorable appearance as Rockie's sister. She will have a great role in the making of the series as editor and first assistant director.
'Quaranthings' stands out by virtue of its communicative power. No viewer will doubt the personality of someone who sleeps in a room with a photo of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an image of Martin Luther King Jr. and posters of several Thai BL series hanging on its walls.
There are also interesting little details of queer coding that will not escape the public. The figures represented in the paintings in the room, the birthday cake candle that Royce holds in his hands, the birthday hats, the luminous decorative piece that rests on a nightstand, the alcohol bottles... The phallic references can be simple, but very effective.
Jan Silverio, known for his work in 'The Rain in Spain', plays Glenn Martinez, a character who correctly fulfills his role of making Royce jealous, as this young man shows interest in having a purely sexual relationship with Judah.
On the other hand, Karl Zarate not only plays Beshie, Judah's faithful boy friend, but also sings "Sansinukuban" (My Universe), the main theme of the series, by Pancho Maniquis and Fitz Shioda.
Kyo Quijano also shows his vocal skills, performing "Ipu-Ipo", by Fern Tan, Pancho Maniquis and Othello Intia.
In addition to its LGBT+ theme, the series, of 8 episodes with an average of 25 minutes each, is distinguished by how it deals with topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, social and class differences, and the conflicts of young people regarding these. Judah has already come out of the closet and his main objective in this area is the search for pure love, while Rockie is afraid to recognize his sexuality in a patriarchal and heteronormative society in which men hide their homosexuality and silence their emotions.
This authenticity in portraying the conflicts of young people who are still in the closet for fear of expressing and understanding their feelings reminds us of the importance of queer communities telling their own stories. The creators know the subject and this is reflected in the final work.
Made with great care and love for a young audience, 'Quaranthings' is an adorable romance that also deals with important social and political issues without falling into clichés in telling a story about finding love in times of quarantine.
Joseph Javellana's cinematography, Newt Lobete's camera work, art design, production design and editing all contribute to a quality product, which I recommend to anyone interested in appreciating a beautiful romance.