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Mela Habijan explains why she takes time to respond to criticisms against ‘Sparks Camp’

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Stephanie Rose Manhit

Mela Habijan opened up about the criticisms Sparks Camp has been getting online. “Representation of queer people matters,” Mela Habijan, host and Mother Sparker of Sparks Camp pointed out. The Made for YouTube series Sparks Camp show was initially introduced as “the country’s first BL dating reality show&quot; but was later changed to “the country’s first queer dating show.&quot; When the concept of the show first came out, it garnered much attention, especially since it was the first of its kind in Philippine media and aimed to represent the LGBTQIA+ community. Its teaser alone got over 3 million views upon release. <div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/5/27/what-to-expect-in-sparks-camp-the-country-s-first-queer-dating-show-748">READ: What to expect in Sparks Camp, the country’s first queer dating show </a></div>However, when the list of campers was revealed, it garnered mixed reactions from the audience, including those within the LGBTQIA+ community. Some felt that the campers lacked diversity. Mother Sparker Mela weighed in on this. She felt that this might have stemmed from basing the idea of diversity just on physical looks. So, she urged people to look at more than just one’s outward appearance. “We will always anchor diversity on different characteristics,” she explained. “May tinatawag tayong intersectionality. This will always coincide with the different facets of a human being: pisikal, sosyal, karakter, kung paano siya nakikipag-interact, educational background, the people na kinalakhan niya. It ‘yung dapat nating makita,&quot; she said. “Diversity will always come from a person, where he/she/they come from, how they interact, and how they become people,” she added. During the show’s media conference, the team explained that one of their main considerations was what each one would bring to the table while they sifted through applicants. They strove to select participants with a variety of stories. “Sobrang iba’t iba ‘yung personality nila,” explained writer Patrick Valencia about the first set of campers. “Sana may maibabahagi silang iba’t ibang kwento ng kanilang buhay. These campers have different and unique struggles na feeling namin makaka-relate ‘yung mga audience,&quot; she said. She expressed gratitude towards all the campers, acknowledging that it wasn’t easy to bare their stories to the public. “It took guts to be in the show and to show their struggles to the audience and to be vulnerable like that to the camera,” she said. Director Theodore Boborol admitted he initially felt hurt for the campers, especially after getting to know them and their individual stories. He said he felt it was a disservice to them to box them within stereotypes. “Once you get to know them, you’ll see they have unique, diverse, individual stories,” he said. Despite this, Direk Ted is thankful the show is getting the LGBTQIA+ discussion rolling.“Okay sa akin na nagsp-spark ng conversation ‘yung show,” he said. “I’m living for and loving the conversations.”Mother Sparker Mela took it upon herself to personally respond to some of the comments on Twitter. “On my end, I engage in a conversation. Sa ganoong paraan, natuto tayo. Napapakinggan natin sila, napapakinggan din nila kami,” she explained. “Ang gusto naman talaga natin ay magkaroon tayo ng isang palabas representing us.”Mela explained that the exchange of ideas and collaboration, despite and even because of the differences in perspective, is the key to successfully featuring the LGBTQIA+ community. “‘Yung conversation na ‘yun ay napakahalaga,” she stressed. “We welcome the comments. We welcome their perspectives. As we welcome them, we also learn from them.”It has been noted how Mela has been very patient in dealing with the various commentaries, even those that seem to cross the line. “To be frank, I became emotionally drained,” Mela admitted. “Naubos ako, napagod ako.”Yet, Mela believes that these conversations are crucial in building the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community.“It’s community building,” she explained. “Nananalig kasi ako sa komunidad natin. I believe in allyship because allyship made me into who I am.”Mela shared how blessed she was to have supportive parents who engaged in conversations with her. “They are my greatest allies. I was able to foster love with them because we continuously communicate with one another,” she said. “Importante ‘yung pakikipag-usap kasi doon natin ilulugar ‘yung pagkakaunawaan natin. We will be able to understand each other if we just sit down, be calm, listen to each other, and understand kung ano ‘yung context kung saan tayo nagmumula.”Direk Ted noted how it’s a learning experience for everyone. “Kaming lahat members ng LGBTQIA+ community, and yet may natutunan kami,” he admitted. “We are the under-represented community, and under that, ang dami pang feeling nila na hindi sila nakikita at naririnig. ‘Yun ‘yung mga eye-opener.”Indeed, there is still much room for more discussions and more discoveries. Thinking ahead, Mela is hopeful that these conversations may eventually lead to different variations of the show. “Nakikita ko na mag-ggrow and mag-eevolve ‘yung Sparks Camp. Who knows? We can see different adaptations of Sparks Camp in the future,” she said. “Mag-eevolve siya hanggang sa lahat ng uri ng pag-ibig makita natin.”

“Sparks Camp” host Mela Habijan believes that conversations are crucial in building the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Sparks Camp” host Mela Habijan believes that conversations are crucial in building the LGBTQIA+ community.

Mela Habijan explains why she takes time to respond to criticisms against ‘Sparks Camp’

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Mela Habijan explains why she takes time to respond to criticisms against ‘Sparks Camp’

Ann Manhit

Published May 29, 2023 11:09 AM PHT

Read More:

sparks camp

lgbtqia+

mela habijan

patrick valencia

theodore boborol

black sheep

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