These real men explain rules that should never be broken from the ‘bro code.

Rise Artists Markus Paterson, Aljon Mendoza, Anthony Jennings, Gelo Marquez, and Jae Miranda host the video podcast “Boys After Dark (B.A.D.)” where they tackle mature topics from dating to dreams which guys can relate to. Their first episode where they tackled all things relationship proved to be a no-holds-barred discussion. In that vein, Kapamilya Chat asked them to decode certain rules from the ‘bro code’ and share their related personal experiences, if they had any.

We first picked up the “bros before hoes” rule, meaning a guy should prioritize his male friends over his girlfriend or wife, to which Gelo reacted, “Hindi mo kailangan pumili. Intindihan lang.” The rest echoed his opinion, saying balance is key. Besides, if the friendship and romance are for keeps, then both sides will understand, said Markus, “Lahat ng naging relationships ko longer than three months, so naging seryoso sila. As soon as the relationship becomes serious, nagiging close ‘yung girl mo sa guys mo. So, if you’re out with the guys, she’ll understand. And if you’re staying in with her, they’ll understand.”

Moving forward, they shared their opinion on whether guys must keep their male friends’ whereabouts from their girlfriends. Gelo opened the discussion, saying, “As long as wala namang ginagawang masama ‘yung guy, bakit mo itatago?”

For Aljon, he would respect his bro’s need for space if that’s the reason for his hiding, however, he clarified, “Pero hindi ito-tolerate kung may maling ginagawa. Hindi ‘yung, ‘Huwag mo sasabihin na nambababae ako, ah.’”

Meanwhile, Markus will judge from the friend’s reaction and the girlfriend’s tone of voice when asking. But it all boils down to his loyalty to his bro, “It’s either don’t answer or answer and lie. Unless I’m close to the girl, mas pipiliin ko ‘yung tropa ko. If I’m not close to the girl, of course, I will hide you in my basement kung kailangan, bro.”

One of the most highly debated male friendship etiquette is to never date a bro’s ex-girlfriend, which the BAD Boys had variations for. First, Markus pressed, “Kung kaya naman i-avoid, i-avoid mo.” However, to not offend the romantics who say you can’t choose who to fall in love with, the boys also acknowledged all possibilities. When that happens, they said it’s important to be honest with your friend. “Kailangan mo kausapin ‘yung tropa mo para klaro talaga. Basta walang behind the back stuff,” Markus underscored. Aljon added, “Doon mangyayari ‘yung betrayal ‘pag nilihim mo sa tropa mo.”

Also, consider timelines. Anthony thought it would be less complicated if it happens years after the breakup, “Kung sobrang tagal na siguro, like after two or three years nagkita sila ng tropa at ex mo, at kung wala ka naman na narararamdaman o hindi na nga kayo nag-uusap, kahit hindi mo na siguro sabihin.” Jay seconded, “If ‘yung intentions naman talaga ng bro ko is pure naman talaga, eh ‘di go, pero huwag lang siguro after three months.”

On the other hand, Gelo considers it a non-negotiable, “But still, magkakaroon ng bahid ng something, parang awkwardness.”

To end the discussion, the group shared their biggest red flag in male friendships. Gelo cited a scenario wherein the ‘tropa’ seems more excited than you to see the girl you’re dating. Markus shared a similar personal experience from long ago, saying he had a friend who steals the moment by being too funny in front of the girl he was dating. His other red flag, which could relate to that scenario, is trying to get the girl behind his back.

As for Anthony, friends who invalidate your feelings are red flags, “’Pag nag-open ka tapos biglang pagtatawanan ka nila or i-jo-joke nila ‘yung nararamdaman mo… ‘Pag seryoso na din ‘yung pinagdadaanan ng tao, feeling ko dapat seryoso din talaga ‘yung mabibigay na advice.”

Meanwhile, for Jae, it feels discouraging when the bros aren’t available when you badly need them. There’s another variation of that, as Aljon put it, “Kilala ka lang ‘pag may kailangan sila.”

Catch similar discussions from Markus, Aljon, Gelo, Anthony, and Jae in the "Boys After Dark (B.A.D.)" video podcast, every Saturday, 9 pm, on Rise Artists Studio’s YouTube Channel.