Pinoy BL Series

Similar to the previous episode, Episode 3: Pangako is a bit dragging. There were some scenes that could have been edited better for faster pace. While I generally like non-linear narratives that traverse different times, I prefer when they're done in a much quicker tempo. The episode was a bit slow for my liking. The episode highlighted perspectives on friendship, love, and same-sex relationships. While the dialogues could have been delivered better, it was generally ok. Acting still needs improvement but the chemistry between the lead actors was at least evident in this episode. It didn't matter if Migs was wearing basketball jerseys, shirtless or singing, he was oozing with sex appeal in this episode. Migs singing the OST "Mahal Kita, Paalam" was definitely a highlight of this episode. If indeed In Between has only two remaining episodes, I don't know how it can present a cohesive and complete narrative. Let's hope for faster pace and more episodes! I think eight episodes would be nice.

Just when we all thought it will be over by next week, we get news from Gameboys' Pinoy Reactors Meet that the series has been extended to 13 episodes. Frankly, I still don't know how I feel about it. Lol. But one thing I'm sure of, I really enjoyed Episode 9: Say It With Love. It was the cutest and sweetest episode of Gameboys. The pillows and the shirts got me giggling. Lol. While there were still some tearjerker scenes with, of all people, Terrence and Risa (both showed good acting by the way), it still was generally a fun episode. It was a bit cheesy but in a very endearing way. While the scenes with Terrence and Risa provided some sort of closures to their storylines, some storylines still need conclusion. Foremost of course is Cai and Gav's face-to-face meeting which should happen really soon. With the extension to 13 episodes, new storylines were also introduced. For example, who is Karleen Gregorio? Will her storyline extend to Pearl Next Door? Needless to say, the most surprising new storyline is Leila's request for her family to move to Bukidnon. I'm anxious on how they will resolve this new storyline. Production design, music, and editing were mostly ok. Initially, I didn't like the montage of touristy places that were shown because the graphics were not that seamless but after some more thought I realized that these places included Cairo, one of the places Cairo's parents wanted to visit and will not be able to visit anymore and with that, I think my heart skipped a beat. In a way, the montage also represented the Philippines and at the same time, it also showcased how international Gameboys has become. So, what's in store for Gameboys' Filipino and international fans in the next 4 episodes? Well, I'm excited and I can't wait for next week to come!

Paeng is also a Filipino nickname :)

I promote Pinoy BL Series and created most of the actors and series profiles here at MDL. I also like both Gameboys and Hello Stranger. But my backgrounds are arts and mass media so it's inevitable for me to make comparisons. That's why I don't like being told how I should comment. If people want to make comparisons, let them be.

There's what is called intersubjectivity in art. Standards are based on the intersubjectivity of the audience and the people creating the art. Everyone has an opinion, that's a given but what is more important for art is how artists themselves and the audience perceive them. Take for example acting, one or a few may think one's acting is good but if a vast majority of the audience and artists themselves think that it's bad acting, then intersubjectivity dictates that it's bad acting.

Who's arrogant here? You're the one demanding about how people should comment here as if you know better than everybody else. You're the one calling people dumb. And you're speaking as if you're the only righteous person here. The point is people can compare if they want to compare. You can differentiate all types of comparisons all you want but the point is people can make any comparisons they want.

All reviews (and studies) whether artistic or scientific are based on comparisons. That's even the logic why there's review of related literature in most artistic and scientific studies because of the need to compare current findings with related findings. When we assess plot/storyline, screenplay, acting, production design, cinematography, music, editing, etc., it is always in comparison with the artistic standards. If you don't like to compare, then don't, but don't impose your views on everybody else here.

Although the plot/storyline didn't move much in Episode 5: Hello, Sadness!, we did get to know more about the support cast. Kookai and Seph's relationship seemed to be progressing albeit slowly. I love Junjun. I think Migs Almendras is the best actor among the Hello Stranger cast members. I also love Meanne Espinosa's Miss Tina Moran. As for Xavier and Mico, they were only good during the start and end of this episode. In between, I got really bored. Frankly, I enjoyed the scenes with Junjun, Kookai, and Seph more than the scenes with Xavier and Mico. But I did enjoy Mico and Xavier taking off their masks at the start and Xavier saying in the end that the song he sang was for Mico. In terms of the technical aspects of production, I found some scenes grainier, particularly, the camera shots of Miss Tina Moran. They should have given Meanne a better phone with the best camera! Lol. Overall, I didn't enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed last week's episode. With only three episodes left, I hope they get to the main conflict of the story soon so that there's still enough time to properly resolve it.

gagaoolala.com

Not sure yet if there's English subtitles. We'll see later.

Streamed live via a Filipino app (Kumu) every Mondays but you can watch the encore/replay every Tuesdays, 8PM (Manila Time) via Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FIRESTARTERSstudios

The first of its kind in being live and interactive, Kumusta Bro? is indeed different from other Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series. Unfortunately, different doesn't always equate to good. Owing to its live and interactive format, the plot/storyline lacked focus. Yes, there were mentions of past and potential relationships, mental health, and the pandemic but none of these themes seemed to stick. Too much interaction with the Kumu app commenters was actually distracting. The free-flowing screenplay was generally ok with a few corny and cringy lines. Acting and chemistry needs improvement. Sky was occasionally over the top while Kristof seemed bored at times. Both needs to improve their relatability. Audio-visual technicals were problematic. There was an instance when the connection/feed was cut. Sound was sometimes choppy. OST was LSS-catchy though. Overall, I think I will really need to dig deep to find motivation to continue watching this series.

Just finished watching the season finale of Sakristan. What started really boldly in terms of plot/storyline ended very timidly. It was disappointing to be honest. Not much dialogue and acting in this episode. The finale did showcase where Sakristan has been consistently good at -- cinematography and music. Production design and editing were just ok. If it's any consolation, Sakristan will go down in history as one of the pioneers of Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series alongside Gameboys, Truly Very Yours, Hello Stranger, In Between, among others. But unfortunately for Sakristan, in terms of quality, it will be considered in the lower tier when compared to the likes of Gameboys and Hello Stranger.

What we got from the two-part Episode 2: Dati are glimpses into Otep's and Tau's secret relationship in the past. Just how do you deal with an ex with whom you share the same group of friends who doesn't know about your past relationship? While the plot/storyline gradually became clearer in this episode, the pace seemed a bit slow. There were some good lines here and there though. Slowly, ensemble acting appeared to have found its groove but still needs improvement. Production design was similar to the pilot episode. Audio and editing was better in this episode. Still no good OST for this series. All in all, the snippets from the past were good but the plot/storyline needs to develop the here and now in order for the series to move forward.

Even the actors and the creators of Gameboys are critical of the Philippine national government. And they're very vocal about it. If it isn't still obvious, everything's political. LGBTQ+ issues among others are political. And if it isn't still obvious, the Philippine national government is incompetent in addressing the pandemic. We now have the most number of Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia! I"m based in Thailand and it's difficult not to compare how poorly managed the situation is in the Philippines. Unlike others, I don't subscribe to the idea that art is just an escape from the realities of society. It's actually a reminder of both the best and worst in society. And I had hope Gameboys at least taught us that.

I hate what Episode 8: No Matter What did to me. It had me crying almost the entire time (all 27.12 minutes!) while watching it. But still, this is my favorite episode. I love this episode. I'm so confused. Lol. In a lot of ways, this episode resolved most of the issues tackled in this series. It showed the difficulties and heartaches brought about by the pandemic as well as the incompetence of the government, the resiliency of the people, and the brave heroes in these trying times. It also addressed the predicaments of being outed when obviously you're not ready to come out yet. The importance of having the support of one's family (and friends) was also highlighted in this episode. I love Cai's brother, mother, and father (and Gav and Pearl as well)! All these were made possible because of the compact narrative, amazing editing, and clear direction done in this episode. The OST "Hiling" sang by Joshua Ronett was a perfect fit for this episode. All the characters (including Terrence!) were also made multi-dimensional in this episode. Acting by all the actors was great. I actually ran out of superlatives to describe Elijah's and Sue's acting. They were simply outstanding in this episode. Their scene together would have been my favorite if not for the last scene when finally after 8 episodes, Cai is now Gav's Baby! That last scene alone made all the crying worth it!

Episode 4: Hello, Happiness! was a cute episode. As some of the commenters/viewers have guessed, last week's closing scene was only a dream sequence. I didn't like that part but luckily, there were plenty of things to like in this episode. I liked the references to the Stonewall riots (1969) as well as "The Last Dance" (2020). I also liked the sweet and sexy scenes in this episode. Screenplay, with its sweet lines, was better than the previous weeks. Having Xavier and Mico "sleep together" virtually was really nice. And it's always a wonderful time anytime Tony goes shirtless! Lol. Acting still lacks a certain umph (except maybe Migs' acting; he seemed natural and realistic). The chemistry of the lead actors seemed to be improving though. The quality of the production design, cinematography, musical score, and editing was generally maintained. And the face-to-face meeting was a nice way to end this episode -- I just hope it's not another dream sequence! Of course it's not! Lol.

USPHTV Youtube Channel :)

Agree!

They're my favorite series of 2020. 2gether (which inspired a lot of Pinoy BL Series) is the most popular and the most impactful but in terms of quality, Gameboys is the best this year.