" Even better than the Movie "
Well, the series continues Dominic and Luke's relationship after dating so you should definitely watch the movie first.I had high hopes for this drama and I'm glad they didn't disappoint me or I should say this drama was even better than what I've imagined. I loved the original movie just because of Adrian and Keann's acting they're so talented also their roles were amazing both in the movie and the series. I gave a 9 to the plot..the story is simple and it has some annoying kinds of stuff but the overall meaning of the story was stunning . I gave a 9/5 to acting .. both main roles and supporting roles are superb just like the movie also the main role's acting had some progress in the series too. I gave an 8/5 to music...actually beside the stunning story superb acting great filmography and filming OSTs are very heartwarming especially in some emotional scenes you can listen to the playlist on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/36VpJ8lQUWhIre4hJjxBbO)... all I say this " YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS DRAMA... DON'T PASS BY IT VERY SIMPLE"
Was this review helpful to you?
For all the BL-Fans ,please watch it!
First of all, please watch the movie „The Boy foretold by the stars“before, cause this series is a continuation of the movie.This Genre crossover is so easy as brilliant. Just take the vibe from a classic rom-com of the early 2000s, mix it up with the struggle of an LGBT-Drama and put on some tropes from the BL-Genre and you have a series that satisfies everyone.
This series has so much good to offer, be it an openly effeminate Mainactor who doesn’t only come across as a bad joke
or some of the best LGBT side-characters (Baby R is just iconic!).
And That the Location is a catholic School brings also some extra spice in the dramedy.
There are many conflicts like bullying, homophobia, and uncomprehending parents and sometimes the series treats them too superficially.
But in return, we get a light and fluffy series, with an great and emotional happy ending, that will put a smile on anyone's face.
All in all, "Love beneath the stars" has succeeded in being a feel-good series without being trivial.
So for all fans of cute, positive, and romantic dramedies. This is your series!
Was this review helpful to you?
Proud!
im so proud of this series, seriously! I wasn't excpecting too much but this is amazing! I bet everyone can learn something with them. The story was good, they handled every business with kindness! They treat everything so well! The actors are super talented. I want to see them more and more and more. The soundtrack was good. We see a side of the Philippines that we just see in Sakristan. This series is a serious that come after The boy Foretold the stars, was a such a good movie too. i think with a great soundtrack they can reach the 10 stars hahahahah, but in general everything in the series was good. i recommend to everyone.Was this review helpful to you?
Less religion more drama
The series has allot less of a jesus loves you vibe to it and allot more drama with some loving, wonderful adults and a bunch of adults that made me yet again ashamed to be part of the adult community. While Dominic is this super patient sweetheart in the movie in the drama we get to see other not so nice sides to him reminding us that this is a real person living a complicated life than many gay teens probably can relate too.There where a few scenes that broke my heart, some that made my heart flutter and some that made me laugh but there where also some scenes that just felt unnecessary which brought down the score abit. Some parts where also more predictable than others...
All in all definitely worth watching but be where there is pain and suffering to come. Also Luke's mom rocks!
Was this review helpful to you?
Seriál, co navazuje na samotný film, si udržel svou kvalitu, snad určité zvolnění přišlo v prostředních dílech. Ale stále: jiné, odlišné, jemné, něžné, křehké, čisté ve spojistosti s vírou. Přes malé nedostatky, které tam byly, tak jasně převážilo všechno to, co jsem vyjmenoval a divil jsem se, že jsme se ocitli v pinoy produkci, na Filipínách, která je od tohoto projektu ve své podstatě tak odlišná ... prostě Dolly je Dulu ?
Was this review helpful to you?
some truly amazing parts, worth a watch
Overall: though it followed some sequel plot cliches, there were some amazing parts in this series. This is a sequel to The Boy Foretold By The Stars which can be rented/purchased on Amazon or watched on YouTube with Dekko trial/subscription. 6 episodes about 25 minutes each originally aired on iWantTFC subscription, in 2023 put free to watch on iWantTFCs YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwPOcpjobYWXtv_qxOPMjz8rqD-CZJiaAContent Warnings: homophobia and two more that I'll put in a spoiler comment
What I Liked
- sweet moments
- Luke's mom and Dominic's dad
- the scene in episode 6 part 3 between Dominic and his dad is a masterpiece
- awesome truths like "it's better to lose people than lose yourself"
- Dominic's friends and Luke not willing to put up with his crappy friend
- at least the love rival/ex weren't cliche
- music
Room For Improvement
- had several often used second season drama plot points and I wish they had been a bit more out of the box
- seemed unrealistic at the end of episode 4 that they showed so many people doing that, one or two would have been more realistic
- the fortune teller character
- it was totally inappropriate for the coach to ask Luke that question in episode 3 but the coach does redeem himself somewhat later on
Was this review helpful to you?
I almost gave up on filipino series (at some point), but suddenly the offered this series with a free trial for a whole month in IwantTFC. So yes, I tried and I like it.
For me, this is the best filipino series of the year (so far). I am still waiting for gameboys season 2!
And as usual, filipino series always entertained me with their songs. Those original soundtracks still ringing in my head.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Epic love in just 6 eps!?
Please make sure you watch "The Boy Foretold By The Stars" movie before you dive into this series. The movie tells you the start of the romance between Dominic and Luke.The series is a very welcome and well executed addition/elaboration to the movie. I watched it all in one sitting on YouTube. Every time I watch a Philippine BL I remind myself to watch more of these, but because they are not widely available I don't get around to watching them often enough, which is a shame shame shame.
This one is another example of how good these can be in their simplicity. No distracting side-stories, just the main couple and their love story. But it's evactly that storytelling that is so good. We get swept in their world and we live every moment with them. The love, the fear, the parents, the teachers, the friends... perfect. So real.
HIGHLY recommend!
Was this review helpful to you?
Entertaining but not as soulful
This is a great entertaining series that has some significantly good actors and actress in it. The story for me twisted too much in a direction that seems counterintuitive to one of the major characters. In other words, I just did not believe he would take that course of action. The introduction of a third major character gives it some spice and perhaps leads to a new direction. But the story was not as soulful for me. It became just too cute with an expected happy ending. I wanted a bit more intensity to this series which I know the actors/actresses are quite capable of showing. I missed the rawness that the first Season had.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
When I watched the movie, I seriously told myself that I wanted a TV series or anymore projects with Adrian Lindayag and Keann Johnson to be together so seeing this show for the longest of time just made me the happiest kid. I just want to say that, this may not be in a more mainstream platform and is in an online content, I am very happy to see a major network in the Philippines showing a BL series to the masses. I think we need more of these. I know that there are several of these projects already but they are still very few so I am so excited to see this and I hope that there are more kids out there that are going to watch this and will feel that their love is valid and it is okay to fall in love with the person that you want to share your life with. Okay, I am getting a bit too emotional here but HEY! Love makes me emotional especially when it is done well and respectfully. The story of Dominic and Lucas continues as they embark into a world where being in love as both men is still frowned upon. Yes, Philippines is a country that still judges people who are different. We say that we accept them but, as a gay man in this country, I feel tolerated and not accepted. They are still both students in a Catholic school. FUCK YEAH! I am from a Catholic school as well so I know how difficult it is still to be in a relationship. They are okay with you being gay as long as you are not in love with someone else. It is horrendous. I know that there are more people and schools trying to be inclusive but I like that this show is tackling these issues while giving us something that we can really consider as romantic. This kind of writing is exponentially so much better and deserves so much more respect of. I am serious when I say that this show is moving mountains with the way it is handling inclusivity, homophobia, coming out, religion, and tolerance. The friends of Lucas are indifferent now to him because he is seeing a guy and Lucas was kept on being labeled in different ways. The sad thing about this is that Lucas is still trying to understand who he is as a person and he is in his first same-sex relationship. This is so much hard for him but he is lucky to have that support from his mother. You can say whatever you want to say but he is so lucky to have that kind of respect and love from her. I seriously mean that not a lot of people actually experience that. We have seen this in the story of Dominic. He may seem to be the more feminine one but that is only okay as long as he is smart and is not acting upon it. We have seen how her mother treated her after that beautiful kiss in the prom. Yes, they have shown two gay characters attending prom together. Well, two pair of same-sex couples. Yes, for inclusivity and equality. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the final problem that they will have to face because they are experiencing backlash from the people around them. This is just representative of the world that we are living in. I am such a cynic but the reality of these moments ring so close to home for me. I think what this show provides is something that is way more important than what we see nowadays. It is giving the old generation hope that they were not afforded and is giving the younger generation a chance to live their lives the way that they are supposed to. The ending was a bit different but it did not feel tragic. I like that the ending highlighted their love for each other without forcing them to be separated. This is the kind of representation that we need more of and is something that we should celebrate more often. It is such a beautiful story and it is working really well. The chemistry between the two leads and the way that it explored more themes than the first movie makes this series so much better. Also, I want to highlight how amazing of an actor Iyah Mina is. She is marvelous and she may only have a supporting role here but the sincerity is remarkable. All in all, Love Beneath The Stars provide us a love story that is meant to shared to everyone so that it could be a reminder that true love exists in all genders. Was this review helpful to you?
"Let us not be afraid to love": Reminder that even in today's challenging world love will always win
By way of introduction:After that fairy tale kiss between two boys so different from each other who became lovers during the school retreat that closes the award-winning boy love movie (BL) 'The Boy Foretold by Stars' (2020), Dominic and Luke , they are now entering a new stage in their relationship.
But being in a same-sex relationship at a strict Catholic all-boys school should never be easy. The pressure from their friends, their parents, teachers and the rest of the students is a practically insurmountable obstacle to a romance, even if it is destined by the stars. Despite everything that life throws at them, Dominic and Luke try to be strong and maintain their love.
Produced by iWantTFC, Clever Minds and Dreamscape Entertainment, the drama is based on trans Filipina screenwriter and director Dolly Dulu own personal experience, captured in her play "Ang Hangal."
With this interesting premise, the series brings back actors Keann Johnson and Adrian Lindayag, who play Luke and Dominic, respectively, to reprise their roles as high school students at an all-boys Catholic school, whose friendship turns into a beautiful romance.
The story:
After passing through the Metro Manila Film Festival and the success recognized by the public and critics of 'The Boy Foretold by Stars', the sequel series takes us through the last weeks of high school for the newlywed couple. formed by Dominic and Luke. We are now close to the final exams, the granting of sports scholarships and university courses, the graduation ball, the selection of the Valedictory, the preparation of the speech at the end of year ceremony...
And in this context, as disapproving glances and harsh realities begin to confront the main characters, it remains in doubt whether their bond will continue to exist after graduation day.
In this scenario, Luke, a straight boy who believes in destiny, and Dominic, an openly gay teenager who scoffs at predestination, are forced to take fate into their own hands, without any deck of cards or coin toss able to decide for them.
"Sugal ang pagmamahal, hindi ito para sa mga duwag" ("Love is a gamble. It's not for cowards"), says fortune teller Baby R, played by none other than Iyah Mina ('Horrorscope', 2021), in a iconic role.
From the events narrated in the 2020 film, life continues for the new lovers. Luke still has to tie up loose ends with his girlfriend Karen (Rissey Reyes). On the other hand, Gio (Vaughn Piczon – 'Fractured', 2023), Dominic's childhood friend (and secret admirer), returns to his life out of nowhere, and will also confess secrets.
In addition to trust issues, the couple also faces obstacles in the form of rejection after a "scandal": the two boys are reprimanded for kissing during the prom by the conservative directors of an all-boys Catholic high school.
The parents of both boys will know about the romance and sexual inclination of their children and will take positions on the matter.
Of actors and characters:
The character played by Adrian Lindayag is great. He takes his character and elevates it to the greatest heights and proves that effeminate people like him deserve their place in leading roles.
It is not common for effeminate gay men to be portrayed as romantic leads in LGBT+ productions. As an effeminate gay man, this actor plays the character of Dominic to perfection.
Beyond the viewer identifying with the way Dominic moves or speaks, his acting skills make him the ideal protagonist.
The interactions with his friends Timmy (Leinard Ramos) and Miguel (Jan Rey Escano) are so genuine and natural that you'd think the three of them really were a high school barkada.
When Dominic says one of his heartbreaking lines to Luke, you feel the impact of his words. Even his singing voice contributes to how attractive and charming it makes his character.
His performance is so moving that the actor doesn't need to open his mouth for you to feel something for Dominic. The trembling of her lips, the suppressed word, the tears falling, her eyes red from crying... are enough to make you want to cross the screen to give her a hug.
And Adrian knows perfectly well how the high school student he represents acts, feels and thinks.
Viewers can identify with Dominic, while also admiring him and seeing that they too are more than worthy of finding love, regardless of how society generally views them as mere comic relief.
Keann, remembered for appearing in the BL drama 'Worth the Wait' and starring in the LGBT+ film 'Run', both from 2021, is treading strange waters, especially for someone who has believed he is heterosexual his entire life.
The actor embodies his character perfectly, suddenly discovering that he has fallen in love with another boy. He appears insecure, he does not know how to confess his sexual orientation to his mother, he does not understand what is happening in his life, he turns to the fortune teller looking for what the cards are intended for him and for Dominic, he bravely faces the harassers, who are none other than his same childhood friends who now disown him for his relationship with another boy, for being "a faggot."
However, most of his lines are of support for Dominic and how to overcome all conflicts together.
The secondary characters of Karen and Gio will bring problems to the couple, but will only serve to strengthen the bond between them. After admitting their feelings, Gio and Karen accept that both Dominic and Luke are happy and that they fit into that equation. The journeys of these characters are totally refreshing. As viewers, we go from being skeptical of Karen and Gio to rooting for them because of the maturity they exhibit with their actions.
Philip (Jemuel Satumba - 'Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle', Japan, 2021) and other students disapprove and, to some extent, are disgusted with Luke and Dominic's romantic relationship. They demonstrate bigotry and homophobia, but they cannot prevent queer love.
On the other hand, Pim (Quiel Quiwa) and Mr. Oyco (Jethro Tenorio) show how equally rampant internalized homophobia is.
Outside of school, the series also shows how Dominic sees his queerness as something to be absolved of, which is a feeling that many LGBT+ people can relate to and is a reality that society as a whole can highlight more. Queer viewers may feel some discomfort watching these scenes play out, but it just goes to show how painfully real they are.
Despite discrimination and homophobia, a defiant celebration of queer life and love dominates the series. In the same classrooms and hallways that ostracize them, Dominic and his friends continue to bravely strut their stuff, standing up to bullies and bigots.
Dominic's relationship with Luke is proof that even in the eyes of the most hateful, anyone deserves happiness, regardless of how they choose to identify themselves. Some may say that such a depiction can only happen in a "perfect" world, but that's exactly the point the series is trying to get across: that stories like the one told here shouldn't need to be in a perfect world to exist.
Some reflections:
'Love Beneath The Stars' perfectly captures the innocence of a queer high school romance, telling the story of strange young love in its purest form.
As in 'The Boy Foretold by Stars', the six episodes of the Kapamilya digital series, titled 'Love Beneath the Stars', address topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, homophobia, bullying, lack of understanding towards homosexuals, the stance of Catholic schools and parents when children come out, but here you will explore them further. And it is appreciated then that the director has opted for the series format, which gives her the opportunity to delve deeper into the characters and conflicts.
And the fact that the location is a Catholic school also adds a little extra flavor to the comedy-drama.
Although it sometimes treats these conflicts too superficially, we get a light and addictive series, with a great and emotional happy ending, which will bring both tears and smiles to the viewer.
And if for queer people high school is a difficult place, finding love is one of these institutions, especially if they are centers of religious education and exclusively for children, this could be an unrealizable dream. However, as fantastic an idea as it may seem, 'Love Beneath The Stars' proudly proves that it is still possible.
'Love Beneath The Stars' is not your typical love story between boys. The narrative of the romance between Dominic and Luke possesses a level of charm that surpasses most Pinoy BL output. The main difference from the rest of the crop of productions of this genre in the Philippines lies in the way the director chooses to approach certain themes and events.
I find it interesting the way it displays Dominic and Luke's love relationship. Their bond, without sacrificing passionate displays of affection for each other, depends on a healthy, innocent intimacy, which only amplifies how free of malice their romance truly is. That is, what the series demonstrates with these representations is that queer romances can be as chaste, honest, and sincere as any other type of romance.
The series ends with Dominic's powerful farewell speech, in which he exclaims "Wag tayong matakot magmahal!" ("Let us not be afraid to love.") As simple as it may seem, it serves as a reminder to many that even in the challenging world of Today, love will always win.
Was this review helpful to you?
