"You don't apologize for being who you are...there's nothing wrong with you...we're on your side...you're safe with us..."
A few months ago, a small queer Pinoy web series premiered on YouTube with a 10-minute-long first episode that featured a gamer giving one cringey pick-up line after another to another gamer who he had just beaten and quickly proceeds to profess his attraction to.
Now that it has completed its first season, it has proven itself to be arguably one of the most essential viewings on any platform during this time of COVID-19, intolerance, and mental health concerns, particularly those stemming from issues of self-acceptance and fear of speaking one's truth.
Shot entirely from the actors' homes with phone cameras and virtually 100% of the sequences occurring as online conversations (Facebook, Instagram, Zoom, etc.), it's masterfully creative in exploiting a whole new way of telling a story. The actors are all magnificent, without exception, though leads Elijah Canlas and Kokoy de Santos deserve majority of the praise.
But most importantly, it tackles hard truths that a lot of other series are not comfortable even hinting at. It's so heart-achingly and beautifully human. Its loud and clear message: love for self and others trumps all. And Episode 13 is the culmination that we all wished for.
Gameboys is definitely a must-watch, especially for those who never thought a Pinoy series could be this good and for those who never thought about watching a show of this theme. Everyone involved deserves so much respect and appreciation for this labor of love.
All episodes are out on the YouTube channel of The IdeaFirst Company (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyAqWxV1z4QTC8n-wRQN_mQ).