The Philippines has a rich library of gay movies from award-winning filmmakers of yesteryears. Pinoy gay movies participate in prestigious international film festivals. They have won many awards. In comparison, the Pinoy Boys Love (BL) content production is only starting to gain steam among Filipino producers of late.

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Introduction

I have seen Pinoy Boys Love shows (2020-present) and most have a different feel and context. Thai BL is sweet and daring. Japanese BL series are conservative and weird. BL series from Taiwan are some of the most sophisticated series. Of late, it’s even way different from the South Koreans (innovative, relatable). Pinoy BL offers a serious tone, with plenty of slice-of-life, and involves familial relationships besides the romantic center core.

Re: Filipino gay movies – that’s a completely different story and will require quite a lot of space. What I feature here are the new/recent releases only.

  • Pinoy Boys Love is a relatively new industry in the Philippines, starting only in 2018;
  • A series entitled ‘Sakristan‘ downgrades LGBTQ+ characters into caricatures and insults the very essence of Pinoy gay characters, portraying them as the laughing stock in scenes. The said series is not recommended for viewing;
  • Many Pinoy Boys Love series (2019-2020) lack funding. Due to low investment, they come up with poor production values and bad acting;
  • Except for Oxin Films (My Story trilogy), most BL content producers in the Philippines stop producing drama series due to financial feasibility, corruption, and lack of investors.
  • As of 2024, there are two BL series worth part of the essential list – BlackSheep’s Hello, Stranger, and Oh, Mando.
  • A select list of Pinoy BL series pushes the LGBTQ+ agenda of equality and tolerance, featuring a positive depiction of gay characters. These series include the below selection;

Pinoy Boys Love: Essential List

Like in the Movies ‘Gaya sa Pelikula Series’ (2020)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Gaya sa Pelikula
Paolo Pangilinan (left) is Karl and Ian Pangilinan plays Vladimir in Gaya sa Pelikula (Like in the Movies) | Anima, Globe Studios

What about? Karl (Paolo Pangilinan) needs money to pay his rent, while Vlad (Ian Pangilinan) needs a place to stay. They first meet with hostility, but to escape their difficult predicament, they need to compromise. That means they must stay close together.

And so? Following the enemy-turned-lover formula, Gaya sa Pelikula succeeds due to its engaging storyline and the lead characters’ dynamics. A foreign viewer observes how effortless Filipino actors speak in a mix of the local dialect (Tagalog) and English. While most Asian actors, particularly the Thais and the Japanese, speak exclusively. Something is fascinating about the exchange of dialogue here! The series explores the deepening relationship of Karl and Ivan, with some pretty amazing twists and turns. Ian Pangilinan – singing the OST and with his acting performance- brought this Pinoy Boys Love series to a higher level.

Anima Studio’s official YouTube channel is the go-to site to watch Episode One.

The Boy Foretold by the Stars (2019)

Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Boy Foretold
Adrian Lindayag (left) is gay and proud Dominic with Keann Johnson (Luke) at the retreat in The Boy Foretold By the Stars | Clever Minds Inc.

What about? A hybrid sort of BL coming-of-age and a gay budding romance. The Boy Foretold is all about two senior high school boys. One is gay and proud Dominic (Adrian Lindayag) and the other is hesitant looker Luke (Keann Johnson). Dominic and Luke are “foretold” by the stars to be destined for each other. But that’s according to a fortune teller! Are the stars correct or is this a one-sided boy’s love thing?

And so? Most Pinoy Boys Love features the proud and gay characters on the sideline. In The Boy Foretold, the same gay guy is front and center. Dominic is not a side character – like Green in 2Gether or some other gay personalities. Adrian Lindayag as Dominic speaks his mind and associates himself with the student body. He’s willing to take risks and is damn proud to be the focus of attention. Seeing a young gay individual expressing his thoughts freely is refreshing. It’s a significant departure from BL scenes where we see boys who – reluctantly – admit being into another boy.

Gameboys (2020-2022)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Pinoy Boys Love Series: Gameboys
Elijah Canlas (left) is Cairo while Kokoy de Santos is Gavreel in a pivotal scene from Gameboys | IdeaFirst Company

What about? An e-gamer Cairo (Elijah Canlas) receives an invite from his rival Gavreel (Kokoy de Santos) for a date. He laughs off the proposal and feigns ‘offense’. Determined to prove his sincerity, Gavreel launches a traditional courtship with modern-day tricks. Is this the start of a romantic relationship or is it game over?

And so? Anyone who was quarantined and watched this Pinoy BL show will look back with a certain amount of nostalgia. Many viewers have become attached to the characters. And it is a collective emotional investment that has reaped its fair share of profits.

Gameboys level-up edition is available on Netflix.

Ben X Jim (2020)

Rating: 3 out of 5.
Pinoy Boys Love Series: Ben X Jim
Jerome Ponce (Jim, left) leans into Teejay Marquez (Ben) in a romantic scene from Ben X Jim | Regal Entertainment

What about? Childhood buddies Benjamin (Teejay Marquez) and Jimson (Jerome Ponce) reunite during enhanced quarantine somewhere in a Manila suburb. What used to be a close relationship was slowly brought back to its fun-filled days. The older versions of the boys acknowledge what they mean to each other. Will memories be enough to upgrade a close friendship into something deeper?

And so? The series’ production company (Regal) operates mostly in the exploration of familial relationships. In Ben X Jim, the complex family dynamics serve as a backdrop for both men’s behavior. While it’s an interesting premise, the show failed to sustain its initial momentum and ultimately succumbed to predictability. It could have been such a fantastic show, with Jerome Ponce giving plenty of Pinoy Boys Love vibes!

Episode One of Ben x Jim is available on Regal Films’ official YouTube channel.

Boys’ Lockdown (2020)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Pinoy Boys Love Series: Boys Lockdown
Ali King plays Key Kalunsod (left) staring into Alec Kevin (Chen) in a dreamy, appealing scene on Boys’ Lockdown | (Ticket2Me) Bit by Bit Dev Company

What about? Certain circumstances put Chen and Key into each other’s romantic orbit. Yet, there is always something that prevents both from pursuing each other. But as they say, love always finds a way. In this case, pandemic restrictions could only go so far. Ultimately, both boys wanted more than just stealing glances and chance meetings.

And so? Among the 5 titles on this Pinoy Boys Love list, Boys’ Lockdown has the most ‘boys love’ vibes. The Series attempts to jab at certain socio-political issues. Yet, the main romantic core puts the series into the familiar BL territory of Thailand and South Korea. Ultimately, all BL boils down to that elusive but inevitable kiss that could happen anywhere in its run. Alec and Ali showcase one of the best BL kisses among Pinoy BLs.

You can start watching Boys Lockdown at Ticket2Me’s official YouTube channel, Episode One is here.


Senior High’s Potch and Tim – Philippines (2024)

A highly-rated TV show in the Philippines – Senior High – is making waves, featuring two major male characters falling in love. The enemy-turned-lover side story is engaging and believable – as Poch (Miggy Jimenez) and Tim (Zaijan Jaranilla) – acted out a diverse list of emotions! Sample scenes featuring these two excellent Filipino actors in this YouTube playlist.


Pinoy Gay Movies: A few choice cuts

2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten and The Dance of the Two Left Feet are light dramas. The two Pinoy movies below [Fuccbois, and He Who Is Without Sin] are sexually graphic and disturbing. About Us But Not About Us is a thriller in an ‘unusual’ setting.

Fuccbois (2019)

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Royce Cabrera (left), Ricky Davao, and Kokoy de Santos in Fuccbois | Cinemalaya

Fuccbois is a sexual tease, engaging, surprise thriller, and a hybrid coming-of-age drama with notable performances from leads Royce Cabrera and Kokoy de Santos, with veteran actor Ricky Davao playing a corrupt gay politician.

Fuccbois tackles male revue dancers (Royce Cabrera and Kokoy de Santos). They go out with clients for sex to make a living. The film is provocative, suspenseful, and memorable. Sadly, this is indie filmmaker and scriptwriter Eduardo Roy, Jr.’s last film.

Vianca Catibog at Inquirer Pop observes:

As friends and partners in crime, Ace and Mico unravel the reality of the essence of youth–the curiosity, the need to explore, and the relevance of building your online persona as part of society’s norms. And with these characters being trapped in a situation they can’t control–and being emotionally triggered by violent actions–these two boys get to do something unexpected to save a life or end one.

Not your ordinary ‘F#*@BOIS’: 3 gripping things you need to know about the film | inquirer pop

2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten (2016)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Khalil Ramos in 2 Cool To Be 4gotten | Cinema One Originals; VY/AC Productions

This coming-of-age Pinoy gay film depicts 3 young boys. The sexual attraction of one brought disruption to otherwise calm and easy-going dynamics. It stars the trio of Khalil Ramos, Jameson Blake, and Ethan Salvador. The coming-of-age movie is an early Petersen Vargas film, he also helmed Hello, Strangers, and the Katheryn Bernardo-Dolly de Leon blockbuster A Very Good Girl.

From the get go, the first thing you will notice is the gorgeous cinematography and fresh, mellow beats. 2 Cool has top notch technicals. There are tons of beautiful shots that make you want to pause the film, screen grab the frame, and hang it on your wall. Every scene looks like a painting and it truly is a visually stunning film. The music also reflects the visuals of the story. It is atmospheric, vibrant and yet, subtle.

FILM’S ANATOMY | MOVIE REVIEW

He Who is Without Sin (2020)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Enzo Pineda (left) and Elijah Canlas, He Who Is Without Sin | Solar Pictures, Cinemalaya

One evening, Martin, a broadcasting student, is invited for coffee by Lawrence, the TV reporter he idolizes. During the days that follow, Martin shares with his friends separately three versions of what transpired during his meeting with Lawrence: what happened, what happened, and what might have happened. Through conversations with friends, Martin comes to terms with the idea that his idol – a dignified newsman supposed to be a paragon of virtue – is not who he appears to be on television. This marks the Sinag Maynila debut of renowned director Jason Paul Laxamana.

He Who is Without Sin is a psychological suspense thriller bordering on sexual exploitation, mania, and self-glorification. Again, another provocative film with homosexual teasing, and mind-fuck. It stars Enzo Pineda as a manipulative broadcaster and Elijah Canlas as an impressionable student.

The Dance of Two Left Feet (2011)

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Dance of Two Left Feet: Pinoy Gay Movie
Main cast of ‘The Dance of Two Left Feet’ {From left): Rocco Nacino and Paulo Avelino | Cinemalaya Foundation, Bigtop Media

Ang Pagsayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa involves two young students (Enzo Pineda and Paolo Avelino). Both young men got into dancing when a teacher invited them to join a project. What started as a ‘fleeting’ friendship turned serious when one of the boys started having romantic thoughts. The film is written and directed by Alvin Yapan and was a big winner at the Philippines’ URIAN awards

The NYU website remarks:

Sayaw elegantly opts to deploy indirection, gazes, gestures, and ellipses to express and address desires, transgressive and otherwise, that are troubling the protagonists. The two most enigmatic scenes in the film are those that show tears, begging for multiple interpretations, catching enigma as it takes flight in some poetic way to clarify of vision.

The Dance of the Two Left Feet | philippine studies initiative, new york university

About Us But Not About Us (2023)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
About Us But Not About Us (2023)
Romnick Sarmenta (left) and Elijah Canlas in About Us, But Not About Us | The IdeaFirst Company; Octoberian Films; Quantum Films

Veteran actor Romnick Sarmenta, known for playing a wide range of supporting characters explores his ‘gay side’ in Filipino indie filmmaker Jun Lana’s acclaimed film About Us But Not About Us. His co-star, Elijah Canlas, has been doing gay and BL roles since 2020 and is a perfect match to Sarmenta’s subdued but terrifying performance:

The film tells the story of Eric, a literature professor at the English Department of the University of the Philippines, who meets up with his student, and rumored lover, Lancelot, months after the suicide of Marcus, a celebrated Filipino writer best known for his novels in English, and Eric’s longtime partner. As their conversation becomes more detailed and complicated, secrets and lies will be unearthed and the sinister nature of their identities will be revealed while they all wrestle with the truth.

movie review tatak mnl

Two Pinoy gay films on GagaOOLala are worth watching: 4 Days and Born Beautiful.


Our rating is on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best. The criteria are based on (1) entertainment and re-watchable value, (2) story, and (3) acting & character delineation. Finally, (4) directing & technicalities (editing, music, cinematography, costume design, OST).

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