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Is Boys’ Love genre still relevant? ‘Sky Valley’ director answers

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Josh Mercado

<p>The birth of boys’ love (BL) genre was one of the colorful changes in the industry, powered by fearless TV and film workers. </p><p>While it originated in Japan in the &#x27;70s, it was actually Thailand that normalized BL and brought it to mainstream via the hit series “2Gether” and “Why R U?.” </p><p>Here in the Philippines, the genre had its moment during the pandemic, where everyone was working from home and binge watching. </p><p>Some of the fan favorites were “Gameboys,&quot; &quot;Hello Stranger,&quot; &quot;Gaya Sa Pelikula,&quot; and &quot;My Day,” which was directed by Xion Lim of Oxin Films. </p><p>Lim recently hosted a special screening for his latest BL series “Sky Valley” in Quezon City, attended by celebrity influencers, friends, and cast members.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1723007235473image0 (4).jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Sky Valley’ stars Tim Tuppil and James Lucero"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">‘Sky Valley’ stars Tim Tuppil and James Lucero</span></span></span></div><p>When asked if the BL genre is still relevant, the director told ABS-CBN News, “If we look at other countries like Thailand, they still keep on making BL. As for Oxin Films, I want to keep on doing this because I wish to keep the Philippines&#x27; representation in the BL world. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin akong gagawa.”</p><p>He added: “Marami pa rin talagang nag-aabang ng magandang kuwento. And of course, this is my advocacy, to do a series which will be viewed by a lot of people on a free platform like YouTube. Aside from the Philippines, our top viewers come from India, Indonesia, US, and Brazil.”</p><p>Staying true to his passion, Lim revealed that the other players have dropped out of the game due to the expensive cost of production.</p><p>His dream for the genre is heartfelt: to own the narrative, elevate the quality, push the boundaries, and normalize it. </p><div><strong>Lim on why &#x27;Sky Valley&#x27; is very dear to him</strong></div><p>An emotional Lim told ABS-CBN News why the project is special, dedicating the series to his departed father, Robert Lim.</p><p>“Very personal siya sa akin. Kakamatay lang ng father ko like 7 months ago. Dedicated sa kanya ang ginawa kong series. Sabi ko hindi ako iiyak. Before siya namatay, ginagawa ko na itong project. Most of the elements ng show ay nandun siya. The story, the inspiration, dun ako lumaki (location),” he said.</p><p>He added: “I got inspired kasi the location itself has a lot of stories to tell, based on the experiences of my friends there. So when I was doing the script, I told myself this is something na hindi pa natin napapanood sa Philippine cinema compared to other BLs which depict the usual life in school. This is something different because it features a location in the country we all can be proud of.”</p><p>In the series, which is now streaming on Oxin Films&#x27; official YouTube channel, newbie actor James Lucero plays Junjun, a horseman working in Sky Valley resort, who finds himself drawn to the mysterious guest Fourth (Tim Tuppil) whose arrival stirs up deep emotions within him.</p><p>“Pressured and challenged kasi nga first project. Thankful ako sa co-artists kasi inalalayan nila ako. As an actor, kailangan mong gawin kahit gaano kahirap. ‘Yung natutunan ko sa character ko, if you really love someone, you have to be persistent and consistent. Ang isa pa, ‘yung clarity sa mind na kung ano ba talaga ‘yung identity,” said Lucero.</p><p>“Sobrang enjoy and memorable. Kahit sobrang pagod, worth it siya. Kapag napanood na namin ‘yung sarili namin, sobrang gaan sa loob. Ang natutunan ko po, harapin natin ang problema. Huwag nating takasan. Dito sa series, ipinakita sa akin na dapat solusyunan at huwag takasan ang problema,” shared Tuppil.</p><p>Co-produced by Chris “Tope” Liquigan of Calton Studios, “Sky Valley” also stars Tirso Cruz III, Chad Kinis, Angelgrace America, Lienel Navidad, Jericho Del Rosario, Gio Emprese, Dovee Park, Hiro Shimoji, Philip Robles, Jake Villamor, and Kate Yalung. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/06/23/bl-series-my-day-gets-second-season-after-2-years" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BL series &#x27;My Day&#x27; gets second season after 2 years</a></div><div><strong>Related video:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9A01e7WrM2g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

Is boys’ love (BL) genre still relevant? ‘Sky Valley’ director answers

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Is boys’ love (BL) genre still relevant? ‘Sky Valley’ director answers

Josh Mercado

Published Aug 07, 2024 01:47 PM PHT

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