Gameboys

Gameboys is a 2020 Philippine boys' love web series[1] directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal[2] and written by Ash M. Malanum, with Perci Intalan and Jun Lana serving as executive producers under the creative production outfit, The IdeaFirst Company. Presented as a computer screen film, it stars Kokoy De Santos and Elijah Canlas as two young boys—a live-stream gamer and his fan—who found each other online during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the Luzon Island community quarantine.

This article is about the TV series. For the gaming device, see Game Boy.
Gameboys
Genre
Written byAsh M. Malanum
Directed byIvan Andrew Payawal
Starring
Country of originPhilippines
Original languages
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producersPerci Intalan
Jun Robles Lana
Production locationPhilippines
Running time10–39 minutes
Production companyThe IdeaFirst Company
Release
Original networkThe IdeaFirst Company YouTube page
Original releaseMay 22, 2020 (2020-05-22) –
present (present)
External links
The IdeaFirst Company YouTube Channel
The IdeaFirst Company

Cast and characters

Main
  • Elijah Canlas as Cairo Lazaro, a live-stream gamer with username, Caimazing, being pursued by an unknown gamer and fan, Angel2000.
  • Kokoy de Santos as Gavreel Mendoza Alarcon, an unknown gamer with username, Angel2000; Cairo's fan and secret admirer.

Recurring
  • Adrianna So as Pearl Gatdula, Gavreel's ex-girlfriend who became his best friend.
  • Kyle Velino as Terrence Carreon, Gavreel's ex-boyfriend and Cairo's online game rival with username, GavreelsOnlyLove.
  • Jerom Canlas as London Lazaro, Cairo's older brother.
  • Miggy Jimenez as Wesley Torres, Cairo's childhood friend with username, masterwesley.
  • Sue Prado as Leila Lazaro, Cairo's mother.
  • Rommel Canlas as Arthur Lazaro, Cairo's deceased father.
  • Angeli Nicole Sanoy as Risa Vargas, Cairo's friend.
  • Kych Minemoto as Achilles De Dios, Terrence's former fling and now close friend.

Plot

Season 1

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Luzon quarantine, live-stream gamer Cairo Lazaro (Caimazing) loses to Gavreel Alarcon (Angel2000) in an online game. When Cairo invites Gavreel for a rematch, Gavreel confesses his love for Cairo and asks for a date with Cairo in return. Although Gavreel wins the rematch and continues to express his love for Cairo, Cairo is hesitant to express his feelings. While both of them slowly bond with each other, Cairo also befriends Pearl, Gavreel's ex-girlfriend and now best friend. Meanwhile, Cairo is having family problems as his father was hospitalized because of coronavirus infection.

Terrence, the ex-boyfriend of Gavreel, tries to get back with Gavreel after he recently broke up with his girlfriend. In an attempt, Terrence creates a rift between Gavreel and Cairo by making Cairo believe that Gavreel used his grandmother, Lola Cora, who died the year prior, to be with Cairo. Later, Cairo realizes his mistake of believing Terrence, and apologizes to Gavreel. Terrence was later confronted by Gavreel, Cairo and Pearl in a group meeting where Gavreel reiterates to Terrence that he will not go back to a relationship with him, and that he is in love with Cairo.

Just when things are getting better between Cairo and Gavreel, Cairo learns from his older brother, London, that their father is not doing well. Cairo feels guilty about his father's situation. It turned out that Cairo ran away from their home, and his father was infected with the virus while looking for him. The story further reveals the reason why Cairo ran away: Risa, Cairo's former best friend who had a crush on him, outed him as gay to his family and friends on social media. Unable to face his family about his sexuality, Cairo ran away from home. Later, Cairo's mother, Leila, tearfully informed him that his father has died.

Gavreel and Pearl continue to support Cairo through his mourning on his father's demise. Both Terrence and Risa apologize for their mistakes and the troubles they caused in Cairo's and Gavreel's lives. Meanwhile, Leila decided to move the family to Bukidnon province, which Cairo hesitantly agrees. Cairo finally confesses his interest for Gavreel. Thereafter, Cairo and Gavreel meet in person for the first time with Pearl's help.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pass or Play?"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumMay 22, 2020 (2020-05-22)
Cairo is raring for a rematch after his sudden defeat in a popular mobile game. But his opponent Gavreel wants something in return.
2"Game of Love"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJune 3, 2020 (2020-06-03)
As Cairo weighs in on Gavreel’s condition for a rematch, he discovers something about his opponent that will taint his trust in him.
3"Strangers Online"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJune 12, 2020 (2020-06-12)
Gavreel is eager to regain Cairo’s trust after a misunderstanding. But Cairo, who is still hurting from what he learned about Gavreel, won’t make it easy for him.
4"One Who is Victorious"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJune 19, 2020 (2020-06-19)
As Gavreel and Cairo’s relationship continues to grow further, a part of Gavreel’s past will come back to haunt him.
5"Thrill of the Chase"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJune 26, 2020 (2020-06-26)
With Terrence coming into the picture, Cairo starts to question his place in Gav’s heart.
6"Secret Party"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJuly 3, 2020 (2020-07-03)
As Cairo contemplates on making up to Gavreel, Terrence makes his next move.
7"Elephant in the Room"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJuly 10, 2020 (2020-07-10)
Terrence's burning question sends Cairo and Gavreel into further confusion. Will they finally confront the reality of their relationship?
8"No Matter What"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJuly 17, 2020 (2020-07-17)
Gavreel tries to reach out to Cairo who remains elusive and inconsolable after his father's demise. Will this tragedy bring them together or pull them apart?
9"Say It With Love"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJuly 24, 2020 (2020-07-24)
Cairo comes into terms with his identity and realizes how deeply he has fallen for Gavreel. Their longing to be together intensifies as they also try to grapple with the reality of their situation.
10"Pass or Play 2"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumJuly 31, 2020 (2020-07-31)
With his family moving away from the city, Cairo decides to finally meet Gavreel in person. Is this the start or the end of their relationship?
11"Stay Strong Forever"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumAugust 23, 2020 (2020-08-23)
Now that Gav and Cairo have met, what will happen next in their relationship?
12"Jealousy In The Air"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumAugust 30, 2020 (2020-08-30)
Wesley’s sudden reappearance in Cairo’s life makes Gavreel question their relationship.
13"Crossing The Line"Ivan Andrew PayawalAsh M. MalanumSeptember 13, 2020 (2020-09-13)
With an unresolved issue still hanging over their heads, will Cairo and Gavreel's story find its happy ever after?
13.5"Alt Gameboys"Perci IntalanAsh M. MalanumSeptember 20, 2020 (2020-09-20)
As Terrence continues his online search for someone to talk to, he makes his way to the dark side of the internet and online dating.

Production

Development

Gameboys was born as a glimmer of hope for the people in The IdeaFirst production team who thought they were going to lose jobs when the world literally paused and had to step back from all the daily routines they've gone used to.

On July 15, 2020, The IdeaFirst Company announced that Globe Telecom's cellular service brand, TM, will be presenting the series' episodes.[3] On August 21, 2020, Bench, a Philippine clothing brand, was also welcomed on social media as the newest sponsor of the series.[4]

A few hours before the premiere of Episode 9, "Say It With Love", series writer, Ash M. Malanum, tweeted that three more episodes will be added to the series bringing the total episodes to 13.[5] However, the release of these episodes was delayed by two weeks after the Philippine government decided on August 2, 2020 to revert Metro Manila and nearby provinces to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).[6]

Filming

The first nine episodes of the series were shot completely online because of quarantine restrictions.[7][8] Main actors Elijah, Kokoy, Adrianna and Kyle were asked to set up the frames and do their makeup themselves and Ivan directing the shots online. Family members of Kokoy De Santos and Elijah Canlas were also credited for helping with the production as the actors themselves act in their home. Elijah's brother Jerom and father Rommel also acted in the series as the brother and father character of Cairo, respectively.

Future

The IdeaFirst Company announced that they will be making a Gameboys spin-off series entitled “Pearl Next Door” on June 19, 2020.[9] Adrianna So will reprise her role as the eponymous character, with Iana Bernardez, Philip Hernandez, Rachel Coates and Cedrick Juan joining the cast.[10]

On September 13, 2020, after the premiere of the Season 1 Finale, the IdeaFirst Company announced that the series will have its second season.[11][12] Prior to this announcement, the production company announced that it will make a movie adaptation of the series.[13] On January 22, 2021, an official teaser for the second season was released on the IdeaFirst Company's YouTube Channel in collaboration with P-Pop boyband group's SB19 single 'Hanggang sa Huli'.[14][15]

Release

YouTube

The first episode, "Pass or Play", premiered on YouTube on May 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time). The series is considered the first Filipino BL drama to be produced by a professional media outlet.[16]

On September 20, 2020, "Alt Gameboys" (Episode 13.5) was released dedicated to Terrence's journey into the dark side of the internet and online dating, notoriously referred to as Alter (short for Alternate) World. Directed by Perci Intalan, it also introduces a new character, Achilles De Dios.

Netflix

On November 23, 2020, Netflix Philippines' Twitter account announced that a Level-Up Edition will be released globally starting December 30, 2020.[17] In keeping up with the “Level-Up Edition”, original scenes were refreshed and re-shot with additional footage, new correspondence and “Vidgram” stories from the characters never been seen before.[18] In this version the first two episodes are re-edited into a single episode (titled "Pass or Play?") and consequently all subsequent episodes of the season are renumbered. "AltGameboys"—originally numbered 13.5—is presented as episode 13.[19]

Reception

As of January 13, 2021:

EpisodeNumber of views
1: Pass or Play1,873,711
2: Game of Love1,408,509
3: Strangers Online1,262,642
4: One Who is Victorious1,121,669
5: Thrill of the Chase1,076,697
6: Secret Party1,025,516
7: Elephant in the Room1,046,975
8: No Matter What1,058,526
9: Say it With Love1,076,268
10: Pass or Play 21,200,817
11: Stay Strong Forever887,786
12: Jealousy in the Air843,786
13: Crossing the Line1,098,836
13.5: Alt Gameboys542,985

Awards and Nominations
Year Award-Giving Body Category Nominee / Work Result
2020 1st Indie Shorts Awards: Seoul Best Web Series Gameboys Won
6th LionHearTV RAWR Awards Digital Series of the Year Gameboys Won
Favorite Bida Elijah Canlas Won
Beshie ng Taon Adrianna So Nominated
Favorite Kontrabida Kyle Velino Nominated
Breakthrough Artist of the Year Elijah Canlas Nominated
Kokoy De Santos Nominated
BL Tandem of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Nominated
6th VoicePoints Social Media Awards Best Pinoy Digital Series Gameboys Won
Best Pinoy BL Series Gameboys Won
Best Pinoy BL Couple Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
Pinoy Breakthrough Artist of the Year (Digital Series) Kokoy De Santos Won
1st Indie Shorts Awards: Buenos Aires Best Web Series Gameboys Official Selection
5th Amsterdam World International Film Festival Best Series Gameboys Official Selection
The Asian Gigster (TAG) Awards Chicago Best BL Series Gameboys Won
Best Kiss Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
Best Actor Elijah Canlas Nominated
Kokoy De Santos Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Adrianna So Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Kyle Velino Nominated
1st Pinoy BL Awards Best Series Gameboys Won
Prime Movers' Award
Best Couple Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
Best Leading Actor Elijah Canlas Won
Kokoy De Santos Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Adrianna So Won
Best Supporting Actor Kyle Velino Won
Best Director Ivan Andrew Payawal Won
Best Screenwriter Ash Malanum Won
Best Production Designer Nestor Abrogena Nominated
Best Cinematographer Ivan Andrew Payawal, Theo Lozada & Gino Caluag Nominated
Best Editor Benjamin Tolentino, Kristian Palma & Jay Mauricio Won
Best Soundtrack "Panalo Ka" Emerzon Texon & Dex Yu Won
"Ngayon" Emerzon Texon & Dex Yu Nominated
2021 3rd Starmometer Asian Drama Awards Asian BL of the Year Gameboys Nominated
11th TV Series Craze Awards PH BL Series of the Year Gameboys Won
Most Promising Actor of the Year Elijah Canlas Won
Breakthrough Artist of the Year Kokoy De Santos Won
2nd Queen Mother Awards Best International BL (Filipino) Gameboys Won
1st BL Army Philippines Awards Pinoy BL Ship of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
Best Actor Elijah Canlas Nominated
Kokoy De Santos Won
Best Supporting Actor Adrianna So Won
Best in Cinematography Gameboys Won
Best Pinoy BL Series OST "Isang Laro" by Emerzon Texon Won
Passionate Kiss Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
1st BLBoard Awards Boys Love Series of the Year Gameboys Nominated
Best Performance in a Leading Role Elijah Canlas Won
Kokoy De Santos Nominated
Best Performance in a Supporting Role Adrianna So Nominated
Kyle Velino Nominated
Ship of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Nominated
Best Kiss Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Won
Best Song "Isang Laro" by Emerzon Texon Nominated
People's Choice Award Gameboys Won
Chart Topper Award Gameboys Won
3rd Boys Love Series Awards BL Couple of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Pending
BL Kiss of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Pending
Best Supporting Actor/Actress of the Year Adrianna So Nominated
Most Original/Dramatic Story of the Year Gameboys Won
Best Seme of the Year Kokoy De Santos Nominated
2nd Village Pipol Choice Awards BL Series of the Year Gameboys Pending
BL Loveteam of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Pending
Male Promising Star Kokoy De Santos Pending
5th Vancouver Independent Film Festival Best Web Series Gameboys Pending / Official Selection
1st Psycho BL Awards Best BL Series Gameboys Pending
Best Ensemble Acting Gameboys Pending
Best Innovative Storytelling Gameboys Pending
Most Thought Provoking Social Impact Gameboys Pending
Best Screenplay Gameboys (Ash Malanum) Pending
Best Musical Score Gameboys (Emerzon Texon) Pending
Best Main Couple Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Pending
Best Actor Elijah Canlas Pending
Kokoy De Santos Pending
Best Female Character Adrianna So Pending
Best Kissing Scene Cairo and Gavreel (Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos) Pending
Best Director Ivan Andrew Payawal Pending
2nd Central Boys Love Awards (Brazil) BL of the Year Gameboys Pending
Kiss of the Year Cairo and Gavreel (Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos) Pending
Couple of the Year Cairo and Gavreel (Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos) Pending
Ship of the Year Elijah Canlas / Kokoy De Santos Pending
Actor of the Year Elijah Canlas Pending
Kokoy De Santos Pending
Actress of the Year Adrianna So Pending
Promise of the Year Gameboys2 Pending

Music
Song Title Performed by Lyrics by Music by Release date Platforms
Isang Laro Nasser & Kokoy De Santos Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon May 29, 2020 YouTube and Spotify
Panalo Ka Dex Yu Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon June 23, 2020 YouTube and Spotify
Pag-Asa Elijah Canlas Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon July 1, 2020 YouTube
Angel of Peace Elijah Canlas Elijah Canlas Emerzon Texon July 3, 2020 YouTube
Hiling Joshua Ronett Emerzon Texon & Elmer Gatchalian Emerzon Texon July 7, 2020 YouTube
My Kind of Love[20] Elora Españo Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon July 10, 2020 YouTube
Ngayon Emerzon Texon feat. Dex Yu Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon August 7, 2020 YouTube and Spotify
Ikaw at Ako Emerzon Texon feat. Joshua Ronett Emerzon Texon Emerzon Texon August 23, 2020 YouTube

See also

References
  1. "A running list of Filipino BL series you can watch".
  2. Cruz, Marinel (June 25, 2020). "Filipino BL series 'Gameboys' reaches a million views after only 2 episodes". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. "Presented by TM".
  4. Sibonga, Glen. "Bench bagong sponsor ng Gameboys". Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  5. "Episode 11, 12 and 13".
  6. "See you again in two weeks' time".
  7. "Go, Gameboys!".
  8. "'Gameboys' – the pandemic's breakout hit".
  9. "The IdeaFirst Company". Facebook. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  10. "Pearl Next Door". Twitter. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  11. Guno, Niña. "'Gameboys': The triumphant Filipino BL series gets season 2". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  12. "Gameboys Episode 13: Crossing The Line". YouTube. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  13. Calderon, Ricky. "Movie in the works for 'Gameboys' YouTube series". Philippine Star. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  14. "WATCH: Cai and Gav get really close in 'Gameboys' season 2 teaser". Rappler. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  15. Balboa, Jen (January 23, 2021). "'Gameboys' season 2 teaser comes strong with SB19 song 'Hanggang Sa Huli'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  16. "How online BL series 'Gameboys' injects Pinoy flavor, resourceful flair in the genre".
  17. "The rumors are true! Ahh!! Caimazing and Angel2000 are finally headed to Netflix, Gameboys Level-Up Edition drops on December 30. See you".
  18. "Filipino BL 'Gameboys' gets global premiere as 'Gameboys Level-Up Edition'".
  19. "Gameboys Level-Up Edition | Netflix". Netflix. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  20. Urrutia, Ian. "The 'Gameboys' soundtrack redefines romance in the time of pandemic". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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