Gameboys (2020)

The Best BL I Have Ever Seen (so far)

Gameboys is the best BL I have ever seen, period. Here are my reasons:

THE CAST. Most of the credit goes, of course, to the stars Kokoy and Elijah. But every cast member was perfect, in my opinion.

THE WRITING. The storyline was great, always moving ahead, never dull or wasting time. The only time I felt like I was watching filler was at the beginning of Episode 11 which, at least for me, showed Gav and Cai at the playground for a little too long. But not a deal breaker, by any stretch.

THE DIRECTING. Ivan Payawal must be a genius. To take a script like this, and to film it with each cast member staring virtually into a screen, with no contact with each other, and to make it work as beautifully as it did... all I can say is that he has my respect, big-time.

ACTUAL GAY CHARACTERS. None of the barfworthy "I'm not really gay, I just like you" bullshit. Cairo's coming out was a central part of the story, handled with sincerity and dignity. And I think we can assume that Gav is gay, not bi, because both Pearl and Gav admit that their dating each other was a disaster (usually the case when a gay person dates someone of the opposite sex).

What started out as a seemingly lighthearted diversion in Episode 1 turned out to be a relevant and compelling drama, covering life amidst COVID-19 and quarantine, along with important lessons regarding life and love.

10 out of 10 for me!

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Pass or Play?

As a show is always a challenge to create a story convincing enough to engage with the viewers. Not only the script but the way the actors transmit their feelings in each chapter. Gameboys is all that and more.

Is attractive how the crew was able to use the elements of social media to touch our lives in such a powerful way. I don't remember when was the last time I found myself in such a roller coaster of emotions, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Friendship, love, and something we really need in a moment like this... hope. Gameboys is a reflection of the struggle we have through this pandemic and let us know that we are never alone.

I love the show, what about you? Pass or Play?

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Perfection

This series is very realistic tackling about closeted gays' concerns, family problems, socio-political issues which aims to raise awareness and understanding about government's incompetence. This is a god tier series. A game changer in the History of BL World. Once you've started it, prepare to be amazed. It is a well written BL and the acting is perfection. I'll give my every praise to this BL for being so UNIQUE. It also showcase Filipino approach to modern courtship - fast paced, full of punchlines, aggressive and very raw. It maybe too good to be true series but it's actually real cause we Filipinos are online savvy. Our culture evolved and became more hostile and prone to Internet engagement and developed emotional attachment to people we met online. One thing you should know about Filipino culture, we are "Family Oriented" we love to be with our parents and siblings because they are our home. And with that being said, Philippines is a Christian dominated country and it is one of the reasons why we are close to our families. Philippines having a catholic faith is a reflection also of our culture that we are bound by the catholic teachings and belief that governs our actions and behavior. Being a family oriented means we are also exposed to family conflicts specially to closeted gays because they are afraid that their family might not accept them as who they are. It gives a feeling of being wrong, not in a context of reality but we always have that assumption in our head however it is just our emotions that drives us into those assumptions. We Filipinos love drama which is very evident in every Filipino movies, series and soap operas. So this series would be a great recommendation. I want you to check this out and be astound by the acting prowess by Elijah Canlas and Kokoy De Santos. A series that will change your point of view towards life and family. This series reached the international scene which is apparent through reaction videos made by other nationalities. This series is a mind blowing series, a creative one, and the people who works on and off cam are doing great because they have produced a quality BL series despite of limited resources and for the record, actors are the one who filmed themselves, lighting and make up themselves, with the help of course of their family. Kudos (Salute) to the director of this series from bring up fresh and very innovative concept amid this pandemic. This can earn an award for being the best series during quarantine. It killed our boredom for it is very entertaining. Must watch!

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A GEM!!!

When I finished watch the first episode from the day they aired.I was thinking this gonna be good, and I am right. I will not talk too much about the series because all was perfect top-notch. I just want to know that the company, actors, people behind the series and of course the fandom and the community of Gameboys was simply the best that I encounter in my entire life. It was literally a journey and full of memories in these past five months. This series just not keep us sane during this trying times but also teaches and realizes us many things, so thank you for that. Lastly, this kind of series especially, Gameboys build families and friends inside and outside from the series. This gem will be remembered forever.

Shoutout to calaters. Mahal ko kayo. <3

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Why you should watch the best BL of 2020

I started watching this series because it looked light and fun. Little did I know I was in for a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Let's talk about the characters first. Gavreel and Cairo.

Gavreel seemed to be a player with smooth pickup lines at first. It's like you couldn't take him seriously with his dimples and cheesy pickup lines. But then as the story progressed, he's proven himself to be almost the perfect representation of what a persistent and a dedicated patient love is.

As much as an extrovert Gavreel acted was the opposite of Cairo. He seemed very hesitant to opening up and closed off with a glimpse of his really beautiful smile here and there when he's playing games. Perhaps, the reason he was more into games during that time was actually to distract himself from the many stuff going on in his life at the moment.

I don't want to put spoilers here so I won't. Just take it from me who've been watching a bunch of BLs all over the world. THIS DRAMA was ten thousand fold better than most. And I won't even include those problematic BLs that only rely on 'good looking actors' to pull off a story line which is beyond believable and borderline criminal.

I believe in character and plot development don't get me wrong. I give a series so many chances of redeeming themselves. However, most fail sadly.

Now going back to Gameboys, the life lessons here are worth showing even to non-BL fans. It's a series on a league of it's own and I can totally say that GAMEBOYS has set the standard so high it's going to be hard for me to find something that would hit me as much as this show did.

Gameboys is such a gem that people should watch. A coming out story, finding acceptance, reality of moving on and finding love and connection to the people around in this time of pandemic.

GREAT CASTING. FLAWLESS AND NATURAL FLOW OF SCRIPT.

Gameboys is not just a BL. It's a story of people all over the world.

WATCH IT NOW. REALLY. Thank me later.

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A Pandemic Gem

Gameboys is a sleeper hit. It came unannounced yet it managed to f*ck with our hypothalamus and made our 'quaranthings' less boring.

I started watching Thai BLs about five years back and got glued to this genre. As a closeted gay, this platform became my alter-world. BLs became my go-to 'nook' whenever I want to dodge the bullets of reality. Ya know, living in a predominantly Christian country (Ph), gays are tolerated but not fully accepted.

So, back to GB... I am literally hooked to this series! It deserves all of the accolades and praises it's getting. Filming during this trying times is a 'walk in the dark' but they have done it! The acting! Aggghhh... I can write a 40-page review about that! IT IS SOOOOO LIT! From Kokoy's playful nuances and naughty pickup lines to Elijah's subtle giddiness and hardcore dramatic ability to Pearl's realistic reactions and fun puns.

I won't end this by not mentioning how I adore the storyline of this series is. NICELY DONE, Mr. Ash Malanum! It not only is unpredictable, it is also substantiated. You see, I voted for the present president of the Philippines but I am living for the shades you have put in the script because let's face it, some of the personalities the president appointed are idiots and futile. And, above all, art encompasses politics because the latter is undebateable.

Gameboys has already left a lasting mark in my heart. I won't say it will be a forever favorite but it has already become a benchmark in the local BL scene.

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I was wondering

I love gameboys everytime a new episode comes out i rewatch everything from the beginning to reconnect with the cast. the concept for this one is freaking awesome - online gaming - online chat - pandemic - and 2 people finding each other. it is cute, funny , some sad parts, people you love and people you like not much. What i would love to happen though is the make things like screen time real as i would love to use in america ive seen videogram witch reminds me of instagram and they've used zoom but screentime would be amazing to post and text and have good quality video chats. Would that be possible or is it just something the show came up with?

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Episode 8: On Home is the Safest Place

The series is full of restorative social values. This review will focus on why home is the safest place to be who we really are.

Parallelly, one of the reasons why Cai ran away aside from fear of being not accepted by his family was he felt that the home was not safe for him to be who he really was. “Ma, I am sorry, because I am not the son you think I was.” Although the core outtake of this is we should never feel sorry for who we really are – that we have to be unapologetically us – there is an unpolished wisdom here.

Family offers the experience of belonging that we needed. We long to belong. And if we think we don't belong to any other classes, then the family will save our dread and anxiety for that. But what happen when we don't feel like we belong to the family – that is we feel that we are not safe at home where our family domiciled? We are forced to fit into the mould of moral normalism. We are forced to wear the armor of masculinity or uniform of femininity. We are compelled to be the good child. Such a case is the endgame of freedom of being who we really are.

This is why the home should be the safest place for the member of the family to be who they really are. We have had enough of wearing mask in corporate world or at university or with the company of our friend. We should unwear all these masks effectively when we say, “I am home.”

Redeemingly, the Lazaro family is the perfect illustration of this. Cai didn't feel safe at home to show who he really was and when he was outed – afraid of rejection – he ran away. But his family reassured him that the home was the safest place to be who he really was. “You don't apologize for being who you really are,” Cai's mom said. In her serious attempt to console and for Cai to not feel apologetic, she humbly apologized, “I didn't make an effort to gain your trust to make you fell that you could tell anything to me, to us... I didn't make you feel that we are on your side. That you are safe with us.” On the part of his brother Lazaro, he had already told Cai that he accepted him in Episode 7, albeit told in the mood of grief and anger. But knowing that his brother would blame himself for the demise of their father – and as an eldest brother – he said, “I am sorry for making you feel that way. It is not your fault.” Lastly his father – too knowing that his son was blaming himself – sent a scheduled email that freed Cai from all the guilt that consuming him: “It saddens me every time you texted me at the hospital. I already told you that it's not your fault. Maybe, you really need to hear me forgive you. OK, I forgive you, Cairo. I hope you forgive yourself, too.” These lines – banal and modest but they have not been told in our everyday life – coming from the member of Lazaro family encapsulate that home is the safest place to be who we really are.

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Not just a series, but this is reality....an advocacy!

There has been a surge with regards to BL genre in the Philippines. But what seperates Gameboys, and what makes them the best compare to their contemporaries is that, the show's goal is not only limited to giving kilig and entertainment to its audience, it also uses its platform to educate and raise awareness with regards to Covid-19 dangers, the grief of losing a loved one during the pandemic, LGBT issues like coming out issues and debunking heteronormative gender roles. It also touch mental health, validation of feelings, social connection and tourism in the Philippines.

This not just a series, this is reality, this is an advocacy. It empowers its audience. So please watch the best pinoy BL. This is BL at its best.

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