What to expect in ‘Sparks Camp,’ the country’s first queer dating show

Sparks Camp, the country’s first-ever queer dating show started airing on YouTube last May 24, 2023. Being the first of its kind, the show’s concept generated much buzz and its teaser immediately garnered over 3 million views when it was first released. 

“I think there’s a thirst for queer-related content,” said director Theodore Boborol, who brings his expertise from being one of the story editors of the hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother — not to mention his hit movies Vince & Kath & James and Finally Found Someone.

According to writer Patrick Valencia, the concept behind Sparks Camp actually stemmed from the successful reception of Hello Stranger, a BL series-turned-movie. 

Mela Habijan, the first-ever Miss Trans Global, also joined the team as the show’s host, or Mother Sparker. She is an active advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, championing inclusion and equal rights. 

“I got excited,” Mela shared. “For the very first time, magkakaroon ng palabas kung saan makikita natin ‘yung sarap at hirap ng queer dating.”

While it does exist and has been in existence for a while now, Mela pointed out the fact that queer dating remains somewhat on the sidelines. 

“Ang realidad naman talaga sa mundo ng LGBTQIA+: Una, pinipigilan kang magmahal. At dahil may layer na ganoon, ang hirap ding mag-search ng pagmamahal,” Mela pointed out. “Kailangan talaga nating ilabas ‘yung kilig at pag-ibig ng LGBTQIA+ people.”

As society celebrates the love and lives of heterosexuals, Mela hoped that the same could hold true for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

So how exactly does the show work?

“It’s a social experiment,” explained Direk Ted. 

Ten single campers, all in search of someone who shares a mutual spark with them, are placed together in a camp setting. 

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For the show’s initial run, the roster of campers includes Dan Galman, Nick Deocampo, Gabe Balita, Justin Macapallag, Stanley Bawalan, Karl Bau, Aaron Maniego, Alex De Ungria, Bong Gonzales, and Nat Magbitang. 

All 10 campers will be led through a variety of experiences in the hopes of finding their spark.

“Maraming iba’t ibang klaseng spark: may physical spark, may intellectual spark… ite-test namin lahat ng ‘yun,” Direk Ted revealed. 

The pilot run will last for eight episodes. In each one, the campers would participate in various challenges and games. Winners of each challenge will get a chance to win a date with the person who they are interested in getting to know further. 

At the end of the day, each camper will vote and choose who to give their spark to. It is possible to be given multiple sparks, or none at all. While the campers can see if someone gave them a spark, they will not be able to know who gave it to them. 

Direk Ted stressed that the flow of the show is not scripted. 

“Alam lang namin ‘yung stimulus, alam lang namin ‘yung buhay nila, ano ‘yung personality nila. Pero ‘yung interactions? You cannot predict,” he said. 

“I have to give it to our campers for being honest and for being real with their emotions. They really opened their hearts," he added. 

Mela admitted that not even those on the team were able to predict some matches. One of the things she found interesting was figuring out the reasons why the campers would choose to give their spark to another. 

As Mother Sparker, she found herself quite involved in trying to guide the campers in their dating journey. 

“Paano kaya ‘yung interaction nila, lalo na’t iba’t iba sila ng dating history?” she wondered. 

She went on: “Meron sa kanilang no boyfriend since birth, meron ding jaded na sa pag-ibig… so tinitignan ko as a Mother Sparker kung paano ba magmamahal ulit, magbubukasng potensyal na pag-ibig, at paano naman magiging matapang ‘yung no boyfriend since birth.”

While there will be no eliminations, they can only choose one person to share their spark with at the end of the getaway. With luck, the person they chose shares a mutual spark with them, too. 

Patrick revealed that all ten campers will stay on the show from beginning to end. Throughout the show, viewers would be able to see each camper’s story unfold. 

“Walang winners, walang losers, walang elimination,” clarified Patrick. “Naniniwala kami that everyone deserves a chance at a spark.”

For Mela, taking part in the experience was a win in itself. 

“Looking at the experience, I think lahat ng campers nanalo. Nanalo sila ng pakikipagkaibigan, nanalo sila ng pagkakataon para makilala ‘yung sarili nila,” she said. 

Being the first of its kind in Philippine media, the team has high hopes for Sparks Camp. Aside from building a community and providing a platform for representation, they also hope that the show paves the way for true acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

“Ang hope ko for this show, ma-realize ng mga tao na kahit ano pa ang SOGIE mo, we love alike,” Direk Ted said. 

Direk Ted promised a show with a lot of kilig, excitement, and even drama. 

“May nabuong love square, love triangle,” he hinted. “May confrontation, may selosang naganap.”

While members of the LGBTQIA+ community are the obvious target audience, the team found that even those who aren't part of the said community still found the show entertaining. 

“Kilig is kilig. Pinapanood rin namin ito sa straight women, sa straight guys, and they all felt the same kilig, so this show is for everyone din,” Patrick said. 

“At the same time, dahil mabubuksan ‘yung mata nila sa experiences ng LGBTQIA+ community, sana may matutunan rin sila from it," he added. 

It is interesting to see the dynamic of the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community, which in itself already makes Sparks Camp a unique show. Airing on YouTube is a big plus, too.

“Ibig sabihin it’s accessible to the world,” Mela said. “I want the world to see how beautiful Filipino queer life is.”

Catch Sparks Camp on Black Sheep’s YouTube channel every Wednesday. It aired its first episode on May 24, 2023.