While a relentless stream of new titles has ensured the continued existence of Pinoy boys’ love this year, no new series has so far duplicated the success of last year’s breakout hits—Gameboys, Hello Stranger, Gaya Sa Pelikula, to name a few.
The explosion of Pinoy boys’ love in 2020, as an emerging pop culture phenomenon undoubtedly spiced up the then practically stagnant film and tv production industry. As the pandemic discouraged major production houses and television networks to produce new content, small-time independent producers amped up their game to deliver fresh stories online. Web series thrived in lieu of regular television programs that went on hiatus. It can be remembered that in March last year, major television studios stopped producing new content, following the imposition of strict quarantine protocols.
Then came the arrival of Pinoy boys’ love as a breakthrough genre. Local producers took the inordinate success of the Thai series, Still 2Gether, as a cue to create similar content. The move interestingly coincided with the ongoing campaign by a number of advocate groups, fighting for equality among all gender groups, including the LGBTQI+. On the heels of such a trend, numerous boys’ love series took the internet by storm. And with the rise of a number of titles, new stars also arrived. Suddenly, aspiring stars found a convenient to penetrate show business.
But as the production of Pinoy boys’ love content prospered, its once flourishing audience has seemingly reached its saturation point. Have Filipino BL lovers gone through boys’ love fatigue? Apparently, not yet. Thai boys’ love remains popular to Filipino audiences, and while Pinoy titles still maintain followers from Filipino viewers, the number has arguably shrunk. This is evident in the view count of recent releases on Youtube.
These days, Pinoy BL series on the said platform struggle to accumulate at least a million views per episode. This is a stark contrast to the ease of major titles like Gameboys, BenXJim, and Boys’ Lockdown, in getting the same number of views, during the height of Pinoy boys’ love craze, last year.
There are a number of factors why support for Pinoy BLs is becoming lukewarm. For one, major production houses which produced last year’s biggest boys’ love hits, left the more accessible Youtube, for streaming platforms that require a premium subscription. Regal Entertainment-produced BenXJim, for example, released its second season on Upstream.ph. Similarly, ABS-CBN’s Hello Stranger released its sequel (a movie) on KTX.ph and iWantTFC. Hello Stranger, claimed on press releases by ABS-CBN, that the movie achieved some level of success. Star Cinema, the network’s film production, and distribution arm declared the record-breaking feat recorded by the JC Alcantara and Tony Labrusca-starrer, on the ticketing and streaming service, KTX.PH. Other releases can’t stake a claim to the same success, but it is easier to believe that their viewership has gone downward.
Another factor, perhaps, is that breakout BL actors opted to try their luck in mainstream entertainment after their BL stints. Royce Cabrera, who starred in the digital series, Quaranthings: The Series, signed up with GMA Network, on the heels of his newfound fame. Previously known for playing roles in sexy indie films and minor roles in ABS-CBN dramas, Cabrera pivoted into mainstream roles on GMA Network. The same can be said to Darwin Yu, Elijah Canlas, Kokoy de Santos, and Ian Pangilinan, who each had mainstream projects, after doing their respective BL roles.
That being said, there is a big possibility that Pinoy boys’ love will have its comeback. As popular 2020 titles are set to return for their sequels this year, faithful audiences are also expected to return. New debuts are also showing promise to mimic the success of last year’s breakthrough BL series. We take notice of these returning and debuting boys’ series this year, that local audiences should check out:
Gameboys Season 2 (IdeaFirst Company)
Actors: Kokoy de Santos, Elijah Canlas
One of 2020s most successful boys’ love series, Gameboys is announced to debut its sophomore season this year. A movie, however, will be first released before the second season goes on-air, sometime this year.
Kumusta Bro: The Series (Firestarters)
Actors: Kristof Garcia, Sky Quizon, Allen Cecilio
The adaptation of the popular eponymous Livestream show, Kumusta Bro is set to tackle the ‘adulting’ journey of its lead characters, Thirdy, Bench, Dean, Cerwin, and Fons, and their intertwined lives.
Stuck On You (Ride Or Die)
Actors: Yves Flores, Iyo Canlas
From the same makers of Quaranthings: The Series, Stuck On You, stars Kapamilya actor Yves Flores, and BL actor, Iyo Canlas. Yves Flores previously played a gay role on the Kapamilya drama, A Soldier’s Heart, which arguably made fans clamor for him to appear on a full-fledged BL series. Canlas, on the other hand, appeared on Cheat, the Series.
The Boy Foretold by the Stars: The Series (Dreamscape Entertainment/Clever Minds)
Actors: Adrian Lindayag, Keann Johnson
The continuation of the award-winning eponymous MMFF 2020 film, The Boy Foretold by the Stars, is set to expand, via a sequel co-produced by ABS-CBN production unit, Dreamscape Entertainment, and Clever Minds.
Limited Edition (BragaisTV)
Actors: Ron Angeles, Jomari Angeles, Andrew Gan
Limited Edition stars two of boys’ love series staples that most Filipino audiences are very familiar with, these days. Award-winning and seasoned actors are also part of the cast, making it a must-see series.
Other than the aforementioned titles, more boys’ love series is expected to be released under both independent and mainstream production houses. A number of these titles is expected to gain audiences with ease, but some will inevitably fall off the radar. Some, however, will practically come out of nowhere to take local BL lovers, by storm—a surprise breakout hit, that is! We will keep tabs on these releases to keep you updated.
