Visayan Elijah Canlas’ BL movie nominated in prestigious international Emmy
Movies & Television Series

Visayan Elijah Canlas’ BL movie nominated in prestigious international Emmy

Sep 16, 2021, 6:11 AM
Boy Villasanta

Boy Villasanta

Columnist

FILIPINOS must be proud of the emergence of a genre called “BL” or “Boys Love”, a gender-bender film approach where young boys fall in love with each other in the most unexpected time and space.

And Visayans must also beam with honor as their kababayan (from Bacolod City) Elijah Canlas is one of the most applauded, renowned, and praised in his performances in most of “BL” movies.

(Just an aside: Elijah’s mom Lyn Canlas is a ballerina and theater actress in Bacolod City and her sons Jelo—pet name of Elijah, Jerom and JM are all actors who were influenced by her love for the arts).

What more if the film of Elijah, “Gameboys”, is nominated in the internationally acclaimed award-giving body, Emmy.

The movie which tells of a story between two young boys who met up in playing video games during the pandemic lockdown and eventually fell in love with each other is the only Philippine film nominated at this year’s International Emmy Kids Awards.

As the well-wishers shared on social media: “From homebound pandemic experiment to international Emmy nominee—what a feat!”

Wonder what the prudes and the homophobes would say about the film’s nomination at the prestigious Emmy under its category, Kids section.

I remember when the song “Badap” was taking the airwaves by storm when groups of parents and social moralists defied and complained about the effects of the song (which exalts gaiety) on minors and the youth. Later, the ditty was pulled out from the playlist.

In modernity, one must be open-minded about “BL” stories because if you watch them, there’s no malice but objectivity and understanding of the situation.

The hit boy’s love series stars, aside from Canlas, the award-winning young actor Kokoy de Santos. The film’s director Ivan Andrew Payawal couldn’t contain his excitement and nervousness when the project from IdeaFirst Company of couple Percy Intalan and Jun Lana was announced as an official lone Philippine nominee in the world prestigious media award group. “It’s unbelievable”, exclaimed Ivan who is up to the second series of his “BL” caper.

“Gameboys” is nominated in the Kids: Live-Action category alongside three other shows from Australia, Argentina, and The Netherlands. 

The whole Philippines roots for the film as it competes in the world event on October 12, 2021 and the winners will be virtually announced at 9 pm (Manila time)…


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