BL (Boys Love) series Hello Stranger stars Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara had advice for young men to understand and accept themselves and their exuality.
Labrusca and Alcantara play the roles of Xavier and Mico respectively who meet and fall for each other online.
During the Hello Stranger virtual conference on June 22, Labrusca said he hopes that the show will give the viewers a better understanding and acceptance of same-sex relationships.
“Siguro a big part of it is I want to encourage the Filipinos to have a kinder heart, a more understanding heart, to be more forgiving and to be there for each other.”
For him, the environment is a huge factor for people struggling with their identity to reveal their sexuality. He also thinks that creating a safer environment where they can be who they wanted to be is a way of helping them.
“Kasi a huge part of why people are so insecure not just to reveal their sexuality but to be who they are, outgoing, or they’re quirky or loud or they’re into men or women, I think it’s because of the environment that we create for people that are struggling with their identity. I think a big part of it is us making a way and helping create a safer environment for those people and you know what, it’s all in the right time. This sentiment that love is love and you can just be whoever you want to be, you don’t even need to put a label on it because love is for free, you can love whoever you want. It doesn’t have to be a big deal,” he added.
Alcantara also said the LGBTQIA+ community is close to his heart. He also noted that love doesn’t choose whom to love but struggles to open up especially falling in love with the same gender. But then, he advised them to be proud of themselves.
“May lesbian ako na tita, may mga friend din ako na bisexual at gay. Kung mahal mo ang isang tao, siguro puwede mo naman sabihin pero in a way na di ba nga love is love, kumbaga kapag na-in love ka sa same gender mo, mahirap din mag open up eh. Mahirapan rin sila. Walang masama sa pagiging bisexual or gay, kung ano man yung gender preference mo, as long as wala kang tinatapakang tao, nagpapasaya ka ng tao, at nagmamahal ka ng totoo. Ipakita mo sa tao na ganun ka talga. Maging proud ka sa sarili mo,” he advised.
The same with Labrusca, Alcantara also hopes that their show would open the mind of the people about the same-sex relationship.
“Sana someday tanggapin na sila ng society natin. Sana hindi na sila i-discriminate ng mga tao. Happy ako na may BL series na dito sa Pilipinas na makakatulong sa kanila na hindi na sila matakot.”
The series premiered on June 24 on the Black Sheep Facebook page and YouTube channel. The series also stars Gillian Vicencio, Vivoree Esclito, Patrick Quiroz and Migs Almendras and is directed by Petersen Vargas.
