On May 26, director Bobby Bonifacio Jr credited Escape Rooms and the Korean series Squid Game as his inspiration for creating the Vivamax series Sex Hub.
At the media conference for Sex Hub, which LionhearTV covered, Bonifacio recounted how he and Jorell Gonzaga conceptualized the story based on their love for Escape Rooms and the popularity of Squid Game.
“For the concept naman po ng Sex Hub, actually, matagal na po namin na-conceive ‘to ni Jorell, co-written po ito ni Jorell Gonzaga, almost around the end of lockdowns pa po kinonceive, so mga 2 years ago po, na-conceive na po namin ‘to.
“Uso po–mahilig po kami sa mga Escape Room stories, at ‘yung time na nauso rin po ‘yung Squid Games, doon po pumutok, bakit di kaya tayo gumawa ng Escape story na with sex involve, kasi noong time na ‘yun, pumutok rin ‘yung mga sex stream sites during the lockdowns.”
He also noted that they wanted to include adult content streaming when creating the story for Sex Hub.
“So why not –we do something involving sex streaming where someone dies if di kumita ng enough tips. So parang modern twist of sex slavery po. And may puso po ‘yung kwento, kasi it involves a father and a daughter story din po.”
He also revealed that he handpicked Viva artists Micaella Raz and Alvaro Oteyza for their roles in the 4-part series.
“Tumulong naman po ang Viva pagdating sa casting.
“Actually ang handpicked ko dito– ang personal handpicked ko dito ay siyempre si Mica, si Micaella at si Alvaro na matagal na–ang dami na pong napatunayan sa atin, sa past projects. Parang palagi ko po siyang kasama noong– except sa Salamat Daks.
“Pero, ang dami na naming proyekto together. And gusto ko naman na makita na makasama ko siya sa isang mas mahabang role at maipakita kung paano pa kaya pwedeng mamatay si Alvaro sa pelikula.”
He added that he wanted to work with the new artists under Viva.
“Sa tulong din po ng Viva at sa mga kaibigan po na manager, nabuo po ‘yung cast ng [series] and a lot of them po are personal choices naman po.
“I wanted to work with ano– with new comers po and to see kung ano po ‘yung range nila. And ‘yun po sana po ma-appreciate ninyo po ang mga naibigay ng mga artistang ito sa series na ito.”
As for the 4-part Vivamax series, Sex Hub stars Joko Diaz, Raz, Karl Aquino, and Oteyza.
The cast also features Yda Manzano, Shiena Yu, Chester Grecia, Caira Lee, Jason Evans, and Salome Salvi.
Sex Hub, under the direction of Bonifacio Jr, streams starting June 4, Sunday, on Vivamax.
