On February 14, director Alejandro ‘Bong’ Ramos expressed hopes that their Boys Love film could help Filipino viewers avoid discrimination toward LGBTQIA+ relationships.
At the media conference for their digital film, Baka Sakali, Ramos cited that their movie could change the mindset of some Filipinos toward LGBTQIA+ relationships.
“Pero feeling ko naman, acceptable na siya sa Pinoy kasi nga marami na rin namang kwento ng mga relationships na napapanood natin no. Pero sana nga, maging total–.
“I mean hindi naman maging absolute ‘yung pag-accept ng Pinoy about it, pero sana lang wala ng mga discrimination di ba? So feeling ko naman– love is genderless, ang tinackle naman ng Baka Sakali is love. So feeling ko maano nila ‘yun– maiintindihan nila.”
He also discussed how Filipino filmmakers have been creating BL-related series even before the term got conceptualized.
“Sa totoo lang mas naunang gumawa ang mga Pinoy ng BL eh, kaya lang wala pa tayong label for that. Like Luis Pablo, nauna siya sa mga BL na ano, so after ng Thailand, noong gumawa sila kasi medyo European ‘yung approach nila di ba?
“Pero, if you’re aware doon sa mga ano ng mga Thai di ba? Parang, hindi na-explain ‘yung gay, hindi na-explain ‘yung ano. Dito sa atin may boundaries–pagka-Pinoy di ba? Alam nating mayroon pa rin mga discrimination about it.”
Ramos admitted that Baka Sakali was his first BL production, citing the amount of research he had to go through before helming Baka Sakali.
“Actually, siyempre kailangan manood ng mga BL series, ‘yung mga Thai kasi hindi ako aware noong una, or hindi ako masyadong nanonood ng BL dati. Pero, noong nakapanood ako, para namang very Pinoy, parang mas marami ngang romantic ang Pinoy. Mas maraming maikukwento ang mga Pinoy about love, so sabi ko, ‘Ah sige, makagawa nga ng BL.'”
As for his digital film, Baka Sakali stars Drei Arias, Leandre Adams, April Gustillo, and Seon Quintos.
Baka Sakali, directed by Ramos, is currently streaming via the AQ Prime app.
