4 ways “Senior High” went beyond the ordinary high school drama

Liezel dela Cruz

<p>Throughout its run, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” made a splash as it transcended typical high school drama boundaries in more ways than one, going beyond just the standard teleserye.</p><p>From more progressive storytelling to unorthodox cinematic language (music, cinematography, etc.), quality acting of Gen Z stars, and more, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” truly hit differently.</p><p>As the much-anticipated “Ender To Remember” is almost here, let us dive deep into the many ways “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” went out of the box to give the teen soap genre fresher flavors and totally mind-blowing twists.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Never-ending mind games</strong></div><p>How do you make sure viewers would be seated? The “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” creatives were experts at weaving seamless twists and turns into every episode, so much so the audience was totally invested.</p><p>Building up from Luna (Andrea Brillantes)’s puzzling death, the series didn&#x27;t slow down in crafting mind-bending arcs and revelations that viewers racked their brains every night trying to solve the mystery or come up with new theories.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gofhwyfmuGI" title="Gino admits that he is the father of Luna" s="" unborn="" child="" in="" front="" of="" z="" Senior="" high="" Eng="" width="1250"></iframe></div><p>The story was unravelled in such a way that when we think we’ve uncovered an important clue, something happens to mislead and keep us overthinking again – until its finale week. “Mas mahirap pa ‘to sa midterm exams,” some netizens would wittily comment, taking it from one of the character’s dialogue.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Qw3IML4TCI" title="Yosef joins Sky" s="" friends="" in="" investigating="" William="" Senior="" high="" English="" width="1250"></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>No-holds-barred narrative</strong></div><p>“<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” has opened the doors to a proper depiction of teenage troubles through its aggressive storytelling hammered by harsh realities. Unlike most shows for the youth that only rest on the easy, ordinary, and cheesy, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” boldly tackled mental health, suicide, drugs, bullying, social classes, abuse of power, and even parental errors, stepping up as a catalyst in opening our eyes to real youth issues that are often talked about in hushed voices. Exploring such sensitive topics on primetime was certainly a brave move.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c6IFV3DCLws" title="Harry cleans up Archie" s="" mess="" Senior="" high="" English="" width="1250"></iframe></div><p>One of the most commendable aspects of the show was its unmatched representation of the LGBTQ community and people with mental health issues.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZYiFGqOJS1c" title="Tim kisses Poch back | Senior High (w/ English Subs)" width="1250"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7mQyRKpoaH4" title="Mariano is shocked to see Z lose herself | Senior High (w/ English Subs)" width="1250"></iframe></div><p>It also wasn’t scared to get real about toxic parenting culture and its negative impact. There’s a mom who insists on ‘curing’ his son’s sexual orientation, one who shapes her daughter into a certain image, and a physically abusive dad. Through these characters, it educated not only young people, but more importantly, the adults around them.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M0RNYh1XQ0I" title="Archie and Z" s="" family="" pressure="" Senior="" high="" English="" width="1250"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iXIPRPfSZ4g" title="Gino is filled with anger at William | Senior High (w/ English Subs)" width="1250"></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Edgy cinematic elements</strong></div><p>Veering away from all things mushy, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” brought fresh, unconventional flavors to a teleserye production – a “sui generis” art itself. One of the audience’s favorite cinematic assets was the musical scoring which was like a whole character itself that suits the mood of the story. “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Senior High</u></strong></em></a>” picked the right theme songs that sounded less cheesy, leaning on the edgier tone fit for the cool Gen Z playlist.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UwHRA5JdDbg" title="Northford High Students conduct their drug test at home | Senior High (w/ English Subs)" width="1250"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6GhPoTMCp0" title="The explosive performance on Sanya" s="" birthday="" Senior="" high="" English="" width="1250"></iframe></div><p>The cinematography likewise was able to communicate the story’s emotional rhythm through aesthetic color schemes, subtle lighting,  strategic frames, and camera techniques.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XadvT0SX_JY" title="Lydia finds Luna" s="" bracelet="" Senior="" high="" English="" width="1250"></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>Redefining Gen Z acting  </strong></div><p>It has been an amazing experience to watch the show’s phenomenal ensemble of young stars – Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Juan Karlos Labajo, Daniela Stranner, Elijah Canlas, Miggy Jimenez, Tommy Alejandrino, and Gela Atayde – showcase their full thespic prowess. Gone were the “pabebe” ways of acting, as this bunch served ‘high’ levels of on-screen maturity and brilliance. In the Gen Z lexicon, they ate and left no crumbs.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1UdPZyqq3Q" title="Harry shoots Obet with a gun | Senior High Recap" width="1250"></iframe></div><p>Don’t miss the <strong>Senior High “Ender To Remember</strong>” this Friday on <u><strong><a href="http://kapamilyachannel.com/" target="_blank">Kapamilya Channel</a></strong></u>, <u><strong><a href="http://kapamilyaonlinelive.com" target="_blank">Kapamilya Online Live</a></strong></u>, TV5, and A2Z.</p>

With its unorthodox narrative and cinematic elements, “Senior High” was like a dream come true for local TV production. 

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4 ways “Senior High” went beyond the ordinary high school drama

4 ways “Senior High” went beyond the ordinary high school drama

Liezel dela Cruz

Published Jan 18, 2024 11:09 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 18, 2024 11:10 PM PHT

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