Pinoy BL Series

What just happened? Seriously, this Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series is something else. It doesn't have enough romance but still, it's very good. It's a serious Pinoy BL series. What I especially liked about Episode 4: Viraag were the scenes that I didn't expect. This episode also made me think about those scenes and ask questions. Wade was keeping a secret from Jose Manuel about what really happened to Luis. So based on what Alfie found out, I'm curious, what really happened to Luis? Then after sneaking out of their house, Jose Manuel got arrested and got tortured! Did Luis set him up? Will he die? Thank goodness there's a preview for next week's episode! Screenplay was solid. Acting was fine. Production design, cinematography, sound engineering, musical scoring, and editing were excellent. The set designs, camera shots, lighting, sirens, screams, and the Ferdinand Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte voice overs contributed in providing a sense of authenticity to the representations of the two milieux of 1974 and 2020. The image of Jose Manuel's naked body, bloodied and shaking on top of huge blocks of ice, haunts me (and not in a good way!). I'm actually scared of how this series will end. Can this series sustain its exceptional work? I do hope so.

I have the same sentiment, lol.

Episode 6 was a bitter sweet finale for Book 1. This was a sad episode because Kian's father died and he can't even bury him because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a good reminder of the major challenge that the entire world is facing right now. But this was also a happy ending not only because of the tender moments (I loved the holding hands scene!) but more so because of the character development of Kian. He wasn't selfish after all. Even though it obviously hurt, he was still supportive of Aron who received a scholarship which will most likely mean that they'll have to be away from each other for quite some time. Script was good. Acting was fine. Production design, cinematography, sound engineering, musical scoring, and editing were all satisfactory. Wow, crispy lechon (roasted pig) and tablea de cacao (local chocolate drink)! I miss Filipino food and drinks! Overall, this was a good finale. I'm looking forward to Book 2!

Episode 8: Against All Odds was a mere extension of the previous episode. In fact, this episode just elaborated on details that were already known about David and Simon. While the script was confused and all over the place as exemplified by the line "you don't need to change who you are to become gay, the reality that you are gay, doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you," it at least emphasized that there's nothing wrong with being "bakla." Similar to the previous episode, this episode had a making love scene that was also tastefully done. This episode had preachy lines and corny dialogues. Acting was still poor. Audio-visuals were still uneven. With only two episodes left, I don't know how this series can finish strong.

Joey and Jimmy's "almost" a thing now. Episode 23: Tightrope explored the development of their relationship. This episode ended with baby Butch being sick. Given the flood, they seemed to have shot the last scene just after the typhoons in the Philippines. Script was fine. Acting was ok. In terms of production technicals, not much has changed from previous episodes. The next episode will be this Friday!

Episode 22: The One revealed the identity of baby Butch's real father. Unless Dave, who helped Joey investigate, was lying, neither Jimmy nor Wil was baby Butch's father based on DNA results. For some reason, Joey decided to keep from Jimmy and Wil what he and Dave found out. This will definitely cause problems on future episodes. Screenplay was alright. Acting was largely fine. But audio-visuals were still uneven. Everything's being rushed now!

This series was cancelled.

Believe it or not, Episode 11: Odd or Even was generally ok. There were still some problematic characters like the stereotypical Kifi Mae and the dehumanized domestic helpers working at the mansion, but there were also characters that showed growth. I'm not annoyed with Aneszkha anymore. Character backgrounds were also provided for the two lead characters. They both have daddy issues. The story of Mama Rhu (transwoman) and Papa Gerry (transman) was quite interesting. I know a gay and lesbian couple but they never transitioned so they are different from Mama Rhu and Papa Gerry. With Gabriel and Giorgio now boyfriends, plot/storyline definitely progressed on this episode. Script still had witless comedic lines. Acting was largely the same. Audio was poor but visuals were better. Two episodes left!

I replayed that part twice but I still don't know what happened, lol!

Next week's the finale for the first season. How will they resolve the issues that were laid bare on Episode 5: Lies and Betrayal? On this episode, it was emphasized that Jay and Jennifer may not have any redeeming characteristics, lol. They're just bad. I hope such characterizations are somehow explained, if not on next week's finale, then maybe on the second season. Dong might be the only decent human being among the siblings, lol. Still not much of Allen on this episode but I did find him a bit funny. Poor Vee's still gullible and naive. It's a good thing he didn't commit suicide! All in all, it was a solid penultimate episode. Plot/storyline progressed. Script was alright. Acting was fine. And audio-visuals were satisfactory. I'm excited for next week's finale!

AMORE & THE SHORE Schedule this week (all Philippine Time) via AMORE Twitter:

Wednesday, Jan 13:
AMORE EP. 22 (6:30PM)
AMORE EP. 23 (7:30PM)

Thursday, Jan 14:
THE SHORE EP. 8 (6:30PM)

Friday, Jan 15:
THE SHORE EP. 9 (6:30PM)
AMORE EP. 24 (7:00PM)

Saturday, Jan 16:
THE SHORE EP. 10 (6:30PM)

Sunday, Jan 17:
AMORE EP. 25 (6:30PM)

Note: I’m not sure how reliable this schedule is. They tend to change schedule last minute. Anyway, THE SHORE Finale is this Saturday according to this schedule.

AMORE & THE SHORE Schedule this week (all Philippine Time) via AMORE Twitter:

Wednesday, Jan 13:
AMORE EP. 22 (6:30PM)
AMORE EP. 23 (7:30PM)

Thursday, Jan 14:
THE SHORE EP. 8 (6:30PM)

Friday, Jan 15:
THE SHORE EP. 9 (6:30PM)
AMORE EP. 24 (7:00PM)

Saturday, Jan 16:
THE SHORE EP. 10 (6:30PM)

Sunday, Jan 17:
AMORE EP. 25 (6:30PM)

Note: I’m not sure how reliable this schedule is. They tend to change schedule last minute. Anyway, THE SHORE Finale is this Saturday according to this schedule.

While the pace was a bit slow, the plot/storyline did progress on Episode 4: Crossroads. This episode showed the entanglement of Win, Jaime, and Heart's feelings for each other. I know someone's bound to get hurt but I do hope that Heart, the main female character, is not treated badly on this series. Jordan's still annoying. He needs character depth. Script was largely alright. Acting still needs work but was mostly ok. Production technicals were still good. The OST "Bakit Hindi na Lang Ako" (Why Not Me) by AJRAVIII was nice. Last two episodes!

Episode 7: Bring It On was just ok. Kylie joined LoveYourself PH, a community of volunteers that provides HIV testing, counseling, treatment, and life coaching in the Philippines (in real life, LoveYourself PH is the producer of Got'chu Fam!). Angie and Paul were basically competing for Carlo's attention on this episode. I'm still a bit uncomfortable with Angie's characterization but Paul won the Pinoy Henyo (Genius Filipino) game and he got a kiss from Carlo so I'm mostly fine with this episode I guess. Screenplay was alright. Acting was ok. Production technicals were still uneven though. But overall, this episode was passable.

Episode 7: The Perfect New Year's Resolution was an overdramatic mess. What I feared appears to come true. The plot/storyline of this series seemed to be reduced to shallow misunderstandings and overreactions among the main characters. Script was cringy and unnatural for the most part of this episode. Acting, especially all the crying, was poor. Audio-visuals were still solid though. And the OSTs "Dapat Sana" (What Could Have Been) by Jensen and The Flips and "Malayo" (Far) by Ace Banzuelo were nice. I don't expect much for next week's finale. I just want it to be sensible enough.

Yes, that's a good thing!

A lot of things happened on Episode 5: Team BB. Pace was a bit fast but it's ok. With only eight episodes, I'd rather have Your Home fast-paced than slow-paced. Bart's a top model now (and Kurt absolutely looks the part). Bryce's nicer now and seemed to be falling for Bart. I pity Josh. Edwin was also introduced on this episode. And Brendalynne was still a bit annoying. While the screenplay was largely fine, there were cheesy lines here and there. Acting was mostly alright. Production technicals remained solid. I liked the OSTs from this episode: "Colors" by Meryl, "Outlaws" by Nameless Kids, "Anghel" (Angel) by Brando Bal, and "Sa Aking Mundo" (In My World) by Kiko Salazar.

After years (remember the time jumps?) of not knowing, Joey finally found out on Episode 21: The Truth that Wil's ex-girlfriend Princess is the same as baby Butch's mother. Script had awkward lines especially during Wil and Jimmy's conversation about courting Joey and Wil and Joey's dinner with Madam Tusha. Acting was the same. Production technicals were still uneven. Similar to this week, I hope we get three episodes next week. I'd love to have this series done by the end of this month.

I hope Episode 20: Set Free is really the episode wherein Wil finally moved on from his relationship with Joey. On this episode, Wil asked Joey for a formal closure. Of course there are still loose ends like Wil being the real father of baby Butch but at least with some kind of closure, there will be less whining from Wil. Screenplay was still boring. Acting was the same. Audio-visuals were still uneven. While Wil's song was nice, it felt forced and out of place. There are still ten episodes left!

While there were some progress in terms of relationship development between David and Simon, everything felt rushed because of the lack of proper build-up on previous episodes. Episode 7: Two Become One exhibited internalized homophobia and queerness denial when this episode emphasized that one doesn't have to be "bakla" (gay) to love a man. While this is true, this episode should have pointed out as well that there's nothing wrong with being "bakla." In any case, after showing strong conviction against loving a man, David agreed to have sex with Simon. While the making love scene was tastefully done, it's difficult to shake off the lack of relevant screenplay that led to this scene. Acting was the same as previous episodes. Production technicals were also the same. With three episodes left, I hope this series still get to improve.