Top Video List

I was browsing around Kabayan Central website, the Filipino version of amazon.com and I thought it was interesting to note their Top 10 Videos of February 2010.

4 out of the 10 films here were written by yours truly (one of which as a co-writer) and were all directed by Joselito Altarejos. Considering two of these films (Antonio and Parola) have been released 2 years ago, they still made it to the top 10 of the second month of this year.
Thank you to everyone who buy original DVD's! Mabuhay kayo!


Here's the list from Kabayancentral.com:

Febuary 2010 Top 10 Videos


1. Dahil May Isang Ikaw Teleserye
2. I Love You, Goodbye
3. Ang Laro Ng Buhay Ni Juan
4. Boylets
5. Tayong Dalawa Teleserye
6. Little Boy, Big Boy
7. Ang Lalake Sa Parola
8. Ang Lihim Ni Antonio
9. Bigasan
10. Rome & Juliet

The Gay Parent

from the film "Little Boy/ Big Boy", an exploratory
narrativeon the joys of being a gay parent

If you are gay and you have a child, will you be honest enough to reveal your sexual preference to your child? If you plan to adopt a child, will the law recognize you, a gay man as a legitimate parent? If your child is sick, will your employer understand that you need to take a leave to take care of your child?

These are some of the difficult things, gay parents face on a daily basis.

Let me share an interesting article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer on this issue "When the Parent is Gay".

Douglas' Exposure Approved

Here's a good news for admirers of Douglas Robinson. The deleted shower scene in "Little Boy/ Big Boy", where he passionately reveals his prized jewel is included in the DVD release of this romantic gay film from Joselito Altarejos.

"Little Boy/ Big Boy" in original DVD will be available soon!

Sanctum: A Boy's Bar

Hi Lex,

I'm just curious. In the credits of Little Boy Big Boy, I saw "Sanctum" as one of the people/orgs that the producers of the movie would like to thank. Do you have any idea what this is?

Vince

----------------------------------

Hi Vince,

I'm glad you asked about "Sanctum". It was me who's personally thanking the former bar "Sanctum".

If you recall the orgy scene in the film, that scene was inspired by a regular event that happens in Sanctum, an exclusive male bar in Cubao.

Now, the sad thing is, Sanctum has been raided and ordered closed by the NBI courtesy of GMA's "Imbestigador". The kind owner, Dennis and his assitant King is still at the city jail.

Sanctum was born out of a private orgy group called "Manjobs". The group was quite successul that they decided to stop renting hotel rooms and instead open their own bar exclusive to adult gay males in Cubao.

The next movie of Joselito Altarejos "Ang Laro ni Juan" (formerly titled: Sabong), which I co-wrote is inspired by the raid that was launched against Sanctum. Acording to my research of actual gay victims, they experienced harassment and extorsion from government operatives.

In a few days, we are about to start shooting "Ang Laro ni Juan".

Thanks for reading Lexuality.

Lex

Lessons from "Little Boy/ Big Boy"

Screenshot from the orgy scene of "Little Boy/ Big Boy"

A writer from Manila Bulletin, Jojo P. Panaligan writes about some funny yet practical lessons he learned after watching "Little Boy/ Big Boy":

“Little Boy/Big Boy” imparts lessons which straight people should also heed:

1) Always lock the bedroom door if you’re in there with your spouse and there’s a child prone to barge in at the most, shall we say, inopportune time. It will save all of you from potential embarrassment and maybe even therapy for the child.

2) Don’t hold hands in public even if you’re a couple. It will raise eyebrows and set tongues wagging. Remember that this is the Philippines - and you are not Paris Hilton. If you’re a gay couple, maybe one of you may dress up (and even look?) like Paris but that’s beside the point.

3) Stock up on hotdogs (as in the cold cuts) at all times. It will come in handy one day. Hotdogs… handy… what?!?

4) If you don’t want the messages in your cellphone read by others, don’t leave it lying around. And if someone finds an incriminating message there, tell him in a hurt voice, ‘You don’t trust me.’ But should he, given the discovery? Okay, don’t text na lang.

5) Don’t position your computer with the monitor facing the door through which people enter. If caught visiting a site that you shouldn’t have, say the site just popped up and thereafter the computer hanged up.

6) When you’re already committed to someone, don’t be flirty with people of the opposite sex (or in the case of this film’s lead character, of the same sex) even if doing so means nothing to you. It’s called emotional infidelity.

7) When heartbroken, move on but don’t burn bridges. You might want to go back later.

8) If you’re a single mom of an underage kid, try not to go “eyeballing” with chat mates that will take you away for days. Children are not products that can be “endorsed” to friends just like that.

9) Practice safe sex. No, no one got AIDS or STD in the story but the advice is warranted.

10) Don’t judge a movie by its poster or trailer.

Little Boy/ Big Boy
Now Showing
Robinsons Galleria, Ermita, Novaliches, Iloilo, Bacolod and Cinema in Cebu

As Mario Says

Mario Bautista is the film critic who wrote against the exhibition of uncut gay films in UP. And after releasing his article, the MTRCB has put a stop on all gay film at the UP Cine Adarna.

And we were all surprised that the same critic actually wrote favorably about "Little Boy/ Big Boy". Here is what he wrote in his column in Malaya and People's Journal:

"WE'VE seen a lot of gay themed films about teen boys and their first loves ("Maximo Oliveros", "Dose")oppressed masseurs ("Masahista", "Heavenly Touch"), etc. but "Little Boy, Big Boy" is very different from past gay flicks, even from the previous films of its director, Jay Altarejos, known for such pink films as "Lalaki sa Parola", "Antonio" and "Kambyo"..."

"The movie is different from most gay flicks as it changes the usual portrayal of gays on screen as swishy faggots. The gay men here are both straight acting, the kind who are buff and called macho gays. Paolo Rivero is the busiest actor today in gay flicks. His performance here is better than in any of his past ones like "Daybreak" and "Heavenly Touch" (where he's an out and out gay). He's complimented by Douglas Robinson as the more sensitive Tim with his very expressive pair of eyes, even if his Visayan accent often gets on the way of his delivering a more effective portrayal. Gay viewers won't be disappointed as they're featured in two hot love scenes."

"But the most splendid performance actually comes from Renz Valerio as the little boy who really looks so pure and innocent, a primary requirement of the role that he superbly fulfills, despite the fact that he has a slutty mom who flirts from one boyfriend to another. He's a natural in all his scenes. Sophia Baars, Ruffa Gutierrez's precocious daughter in "Desperadas 1 and 2", also does well as Jill."

"Little Boy, Big Boy" is now showing in Robinsons Galleria, Ermita, Novaliches, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cinema, Cebu.

Now Showing: Little Boy/ Big Boy

Little Boy/ Big Boy is now showing at selected Robinsons Cinemas: Galleria, Ermita, Bacolod and Iloilo.

A PLU's Experience

Here's another "Big Boy" experience from blogger James, author of "The Crazy Life of TL"

"I like the honesty of the story. It teaches you that homosexuality is not a lie. It is not something that you should hide, that you should not be ashamed of. It is something to be told, to anyone, especially to the innocent ones. I like how Paolo explained this to the kid. Not controversial and not vulgar. How lovely it was to see how easy for a little boy to accept the gay truth compare to adults nowadays. How I imagine a world so easy for PLUs when acceptance is just like that.

...That is what I like in the movie. It captures you. It makes you think. It makes you realize things. It allows you to participate emotionally and mentally. It gives you a big screen of your own lines, and somehow, a scene of your own life."

Read the FULL POST

Miong 21's Big Boy Experience

Popular Gay Filipino Blogger Miong 21 writes about his experience at the invitational premiere of "Little Boy/ Big Boy" last night.

"Just saw "Little Boy/Big Boy" on its special premiere last night at the Robinson's Galleria with the whole cast (the child actor was not allowed to watch it of course) and crew including the director Jay Alterejos and screenwriter Lex Bonife (who provided me 2 premiere tickets for the movie, thanks Lex! Loved your cameo appearance!).

That was the first time I saw Lex in person, second for Mr. Alterejos. Mr. Danton Remoto was also there to introduce Direk Jay. The movie was great, in my own opinion. I don't have any background or experience in film directing or production but I can say the film was a great improvement from past films (Parola, Lihim & Kambyo) in terms of cinematography, sound, musical score & most especially and importantly the acting. Not that those previous films lacks in any of those categories."

Read the BLOG POST

Little Boy/ Big Boy is showing on August 5 at selected Robinsons Cinemas

Free Invites for "Big Boy" Premiere

Here's the sad news. The premiere for "Little Boy/ Big Boy" is an invitational screening and is not available to the public.

BUT!

I am giving away FREE invites to the chosen readers of Lexuality.

HOW?

First, if you are a blogger, send me an email at lex(at)lexuality(dot)com. Give me the link to your blog, and if you can make it to the premiere on July 30, Thursday, 7:30pm at Robinsons Galleria. I will email you back for confirmation. Limited slots are available for fellow bloggers.

Two, if you are Lexuality reader, just send me a message which of our films is your favorite (Ang Lihim ni Antonio, Ang Lalake Sa Parola or Kambyo) and why. Selected entries will win 2 tickets for the premiere.

This is my way of saying Thank you for reading Lexuality.

What's Big Boy About?

Here's the synopsis of the film "Little Boy/ Big Boy"

A young gay professional, his lover, and his nephew. Three lives sewn together by fate.

Little Boy Big Boy tells the tale of the carefree soul of a freelance graphic artist, RAYMUND (Paolo Rivero), and how he is filled with doubts as he is suddenly confronted with the responsibility to look after his seven-year-old nephew, ZACK (Renz Valerio).

While taking care of his nephew, he meets a closeted young man named TIM (Douglas Robinson), and the two fall in love. He educates his new lover about the importance of accepting oneself, especially at a time when prejudice against gays is still accepted as the norm. The film also tackles opposing views on fidelity in the homosexual set-up. And it shows a gay man’s capacity to nurture; and how the homosexual is not just an organism of pleasure, but also a catalyst for unconditional love.

Under the direction of Joselito Altarejós and the pen of Lex Bonife, Little Boy Big Boy is a realist window on the lives of many young Filipino gay men today. How they’ve come a long way, and how they’re slowly getting there.

It stars Paolo Rivero as Raymund, Douglas Robinson as Tim, and Renz Valerio as Zach.


Join us at the premere night of "Little Big Boy"

July 30, Thursday
630 PM Meet & Greet: Cast, Director and the Writer
730 PM: Screening
Cinema 5, Robinsons Galleria

Big Boy's Kiss

Here's a torrid kiss between the stars of "Little Boy/ Big Boy", Douglas Robinson and Paolo Rivero.

Hope to see you at the premiere of this film.

PREMIERE NIGHT:
July 30, Thursday
630 PM Meet & Greet: Cast, Director and the Writer
730 PM: Screening
Cinema 5, Robinsons Galleria

Big Boy's Big Night

Douglas Robinson, star of "Little Boy/ Big Boy"

Finally, the much awaited come back movie of the director of "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" and "Ang Lalake sa Parola", Joselito Altarejos is here with a premiere night on July 30 (Thursday), 6:30pm at the Robinsons Galleria.

Little Boy/ Big Boy
Starring: Paolo Rivero and Douglas Robinson
Screenplay: Lex Bonife
Direction: Joselito Altarejos

On Pinoy Gay Films and Big Boy

The author of the blog "The Spy in the Sandwich", Ian Rosales Casocot, an award winning writer writes about our film "Little Boy/ Big Boy" and other insights on Philippine Gay Cinema.

He writes:

Digital Viva's Little Boy, Big Boy is the new film by director Joselito Altarejos, from a script by Lex Bonife -- the creative team that brought us what could easily be described as seminal films in Philippine queer cinema, a roster that includes Ang Lalaki sa Parola, Ang Lihim ni Antonio, and Kambyo.

The new film is a departure from those three films: after the heavy drama of Parola and Antonio and the road trip of Kambyo, what we get in Boy a light drama, with touches of comedy, that tells the story of a young, commitment-phobic gay yuppie (played by Paolo Rivero) suddenly saddled by taking care of a young nephew (played by Renz Valerio) while juggling a new relationship with a younger man (played by Douglas Robinson) whom he meets in an orgy. (That should whet the appetite of many...) But given its sexual situations (requisite, perhaps, for the Digital Viva label) the film is actually sweet and endearing, and features most prominently the strange but amiable dynamics of the relationship between uncle and nephew who -- together with the uncle's new boyfriend -- essentially presents us an idealized and very romantic idea of the possibilities of a new kind of family. This is essentially My Two Dads, Pinoy-style. And in many ways, I am glad for this film, if only because it breaks ground from the cliches of local gay cinema always involving macho dancers, prostitutes, and the like. Rivero's Raymond Fabillar is a non-swishy, unconflicted, self-possessing gay yuppie looking just like the rest of us -- and that's a refreshing face indeed for the queer character in local cinema.

Read the full article at The Spy in the Sandwich

Big Boy's Sexier Trailer

Here's the sexier version of the trailer of our latest film "Little Boy/ Big Boy" directed by Joselito Altarejos.

The film stars Paolo Rivero, Douglas Robinson and Renz Valerio with script from yours truly.

The film's regular run is on July, 2009

Big Boy Trailer

Here's the trailer of our new film "Little Boy/ Big Boy" directed by Joselito Altarejos:



Coming this July, 2009

Big Boy Poster Approved

The X Rated Poster



The approved version of the poster


After two x-ratings, the poster of our latest film "Little Boy/ Big Boy" directed by Joselito Altarejos has finally been approved.

Here is what the filmmaker has to share regarding the several revisions MTRCB has demanded on the film poster:

"The MTRCB, our industry's moral compass, has finally approved the 3rd study of the poster for my new film Little Boy Big Boy.

The (first poster layout) studies was not found deem for general patronage as they "depict graphic homosexual love."

I totally agree with them. A half-naked man lying on top of another half-naked man is graphic. These images connote homosexuality. And homosexuality is immoral.

Because it is so hard to explain to minors that there is this thing called homosexuality, and that two people of the same gender can fall in love. Because it is easier to explain to children why people kill and throw fists at each other. And it is far more entertaining to watch the handicapped (read: pilay, bulag, etc. ), aesthetically challenged (read: bungal, kalbo, etc.) and the racially different (read: negro, bombay, etc.) made fun of on national television.

Yes, I agree with them. We are living in the dark ages. Homosexuality has not been invented yet."

Douglas Has It

I recently finished watching the first draft of our latest film "Little Boy, Big Boy" directed by Joselito Altarejos, and I was quite happy with the outcome of the movie.

Aside from it's clean photography, the most impressive aspect of the film is Douglas Robinson, one of the lead actors of the film.

Despite of him being a fairly inexperienced actor, Douglas, I must declare gives the best performance by a hunky actor from our past films: Ang Lalake sa Parola, Ang Lihim ni Antonio and Kambyo. Douglas has an impressive depth and timing only experienced actors can claim to.

It was such a revelation for this new actor. And yes, he also did reveal his nice thing down there (if only MTRCB would allow it).

Way to go, Douglas!

Big Boy Moved

Here is the other version of the poster of "Little Boy/ Big Boy".

The regular run of the film has been moved to last week of June (instead of June 3, as announced earlier). And a special screening will be held at Robinsons Galleria. The film stars Paolo Rivero (URIAN Best actor nominee for Live Show), Douglas Robinson (Bridal Shower) and "little boy" Renz Valerio.

"Little Boy/ Big Boy" is directed by Joselito Altarejos with the story and screenplay written by this blog author.

A Lover's Picture

Here's my favorite photo of the two lead characters in the film "Little Boy/ Big Boy", Paolo Rivero and Douglas Robinson.

In the film, Paolo and Douglas play lovers who are struggling in the early days of their domestic partnership. Their relationship is made complicated by the existence of Paolo's nephew, played by young TV actor, Renz Valerio. From being awkward lovers, the two men must learn how to become loving fathers.

"Little Boy/ Big Boy" is about the value of rediscovering innocence in our sexually charged gay lives. This film will premieres next month - May, 2009


Little Boy/ Big Boy
Direction: Joselito Altarejos
Story & Sccreenplay: Lex Bonife
Production: Viva Digital & Beyond the Box Productions