Category Archives: Filipino Reviews

Filipino Reviews

“Sparks Camp Season Two” First Impressions (Ep.1 & 2)

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Black Sheep and ABS-CBN Studios are back with the second season of their queer reality dating series Sparks Camp. Beating major competition from their Korean counterpart, “His Man Season Three”, Sparks Camp 2 has grown bolder and versatile. The contestants this season seem much more mature and yet vulnerable; that’s as real as it gets on reality television. They had some interesting stories to share and I like the Season Two contestants far better than the prequel; it could be because of the slight change in the format too. Most dating shows follow a formulaic concept, tried and tested, which gets boring as time passes. The first two episodes had some surprising elements, so let’s get down to the business of reviewing. After all, “First Impressions” are important!

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Filipino Reviews

“Indigo Reimagined” Series Review (Ep.1 to 7)

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I know my reviews of these floundering BL series perhaps are a bit too heartfelt, but I have great admiration for struggling productions which are making an effort to tell a story in its own way, no matter what the obstacles. So, therefore, I am willing and do indeed overlook many of the production flaws so that we can understand what motivates and drives these creations- a belief in themselves and an effort to tell a story with sincerity and commitment. Indeed, that is what this series is. It is a surprisingly intense BL series full of real people with genuine problems told perhaps a bit over dramatically. But as uncomfortable as the story is, there is nonetheless an underlying veracity to its message.

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Filipino Reviews

“My Plantito” Series Review (Ep.1 to 7)

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I really, really wanted to like this series. With every fiber of my being, I was hoping it would come through at the end with something to make me like it; but it just did not. This manifests more like an ‘afternoon school special’ or a Hallmark movie. Seemingly sweet, cute, and feels adorable and you think has a point, but it really does not. It is all so superficial. It started out much like a light romantic BL with catchy music to draw you in, assuming this will be cheery, light-hearted, and charming. Unfortunately, this series is self-absorbed, unromantic, and honestly, irritating. Save one character, the rest of them are rather shallow individuals.

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Filipino Reviews

“Papa, What is Love 2” Series Review (Ep.1 to 6)

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This is the continuing story from Season One but a bit tamer. By now, Greg (Anyhony Flores) and Tupe (Rex Lantano) are well into their relationship. They are firmly established as a couple, with Tupe now ardently wanting to become more productive in the relationship by going back to work. Greg’s father, Rich (Arnold Reyes), has now moved on from the anguish and embarrassment he must have experienced when Tupe also fell in love with his son. As trite as the saying might be, time does heal all wounds, and Rich has begun to realize that this was meant to be. And now he is back on the prowl. While he has encounters, Rich is still looking for his ‘Mr. Right’.

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Filipino Reviews

“Stay” Series Review (Ep.3 to 7)

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This seven episode joint venture between the Filipino and American community in the form of a bicultural series follows the Pinoy screenwriter, Andre (Sebastian Castro) who traveling to Los Angeles for an award acceptance ceremony. Making less than favorable life choices, he ends up rooming with Joshua (Ellis Gage), a hardworking American of Korean descent. Although their relationship stars as tenant and landlord but as the two learn more about each other, things change.

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Filipino Reviews

“Stay The Series” First Impressions (Ep.1 to 3)

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Two men meeting by happenstance would be an ordinary thing to happen, if not for the whipsmart writing and amazing chemistry between characters Joshua (Ellis Gage) and Andre (Sebastian Castro) in “Stay The Series”. The show is 7 episodes long and details Andre’s time in America. The bilingual Sebastian Castro articulates Andre’s naïveté quite well as the series focuses on him. Beside him is the cynical Joshua, who can be described as prickly. Andre navigates the city of Los Angeles, debuting his powerful short film and winning an award for it. The set for the award ceremony was shot using clever angles, so it gives the impression that there is more to it, as well as more people in attendance. Attention to details like that make or break the image before the viewer’s eye and fortunately that is taken into account in every scene of this show.

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Filipino Reviews

“Sparks Camp” First Impressions (Ep.1 & 2)

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While looks can be discerning, reality shows aren’t exactly the best judge of character; especially dating shows that could be farce or scripted. Reality shows have always existed in the broader sense and these days they are being inculcated into the Boys’ Love diaspora. Makes us question the belief of “How a fictional genre could incorporate a dating show which is undeniably being marketed as realistic?”. We could keep arguing about the technicalities, but it doesn’t change the fact that BL sells and nestling these shows under the hugely popular genre helps in promotions and marketing. So, when the Korean launched their very own version of dating shows like “His Man” and “Merry Queer”, they were applauded for their efforts. The format was new, and the contestants were intriguing. They had a story to share, each of them. While “His Man” was intentionally gay oriented, “Merry Queer” was blissfully more aligned with the queer community because of its diversified selection of contestants. Both shows ended on a positive response; although “His Man” did court controversy later. Hong Kong’s “Boyscation” wasn’t much appreciated, but it did open the floodgates for future remakes.

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Filipino Reviews

“The Day I Loved You” First Impressions (Ep.1 & 2)

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The Day I Loved You starts off exactly as advertised. And I do mean that in the best way. It is a cute, fluffy BL set in high school, with a love triangle, unrequited love, sparks flying at the first meeting, prom, the whole shebang. It has kept me hooked after barely thirty minutes of content so far.

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