“Gaya sa Pelikula,” an upcoming Boys’ Love (BL) series created by Juan Miguel Severo, has locked in its lead actors.
Actors Ian Pangilinan and Paolo Pangilinan will star as college students Vlad and Karl, the series revealed on its social media pages last night, July 8.
The teaser showed off the chemistry between the two actors as they stared face to face.
"It wasn't a single night that started us."
Introducing @ianpangilinan_ as Vlad and @PaoPangs as Karl! 😍#GayaSaPelikula coming out SOON! Created and written by @TheRainBro to be directed by @jphabac.
Proudly produced by #GlobeStudios 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/TuprAqcjkJ
— #GayaSaPelikula (Like in the Movies) (@gayasapelikula) July 8, 2020
“Gaya sa Pelikula” (Like in the Movies) will be directed by JP Habac (“I’m Drunk, I Love You”) and produced by Globe Studios.
The story revolves around Karl, who is fresh into university, and Vlad, the upperclassman he is attracted to.
Prior to production, Severo wanted to ensure LGBTQ+ representation in the main artistic team for sensitivity in depicting the story.
He revealed the challenges in finding queer actors during the audition process, citing “systemic homophobia” as a factor in preventing queer actors from taking on queer roles.
He said actors worry about being forced to talk about their sexuality, while another concern is being typecast into gay roles.
With that, Severo advised fans not to pry into actors’ sexuality unless they voluntarily open up.
“Gaya sa Pelikula” is the latest in a string of locally produced BL series that includes IdeaFirst’s “Gameboys” and Black Sheep’s “Hello Stranger.” BLs have found a surging fanbase in the Philippines following the popularity of Thai series “2gether” this year. /ra
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