Marahuyo Project (2024)

Engaging Must watch!!!!

As a Filipino who rarely finds myself drawn to local series, the “Marahuyo Project” LGBTQIA+ series was an unexpected and deeply moving exception. From the moment I started watching, I was magnetized by its authenticity and heartfelt storytelling. This series resonates on so many levels, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested.

The fresh, new faces in the cast bring an unpolished, genuine energy to their roles, making the characters incredibly relatable. Their performances are so natural and sincere that at times, it feels less like watching a series and more like witnessing real-life events unfold. The characters’ journeys, struggles, and triumphs are portrayed with such honesty that they mirror the experiences of many in our community, including my own.

The series is beautifully set against a backdrop of stunning Philippine locations, each chosen with a keen eye for detail. The scenery enhances the narrative, adding layers of cultural and emotional depth. From the vibrant streets of the city to the tranquil beauty of the provinces, each setting feels like a character in its own right, enriching the overall storytelling.

What truly sets the “Marahuyo Project” apart is its relatability. The series captures the essence of what it means to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines. The characters’ stories are not just entertaining but also deeply reflective of our societal realities. The themes of acceptance, love, identity, and resilience are woven seamlessly into the plot, making each episode a powerful testament to our shared humanity.

As I watched, I found myself reminiscing about my own experiences, the challenges I’ve faced, and the joys I’ve found in being true to myself. The “Marahuyo Project” doesn’t just tell a story; it invites you to see yourself in its characters and their journeys. It’s a celebration of our diversity and a poignant reminder of the beauty in our struggles and victories.

In every aspect—from acting to location, from storytelling to direction—this series is a standout. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the richness of our culture and the strength of our community. If you haven’t yet experienced the “Marahuyo Project,” I highly recommend you do. It’s a series that will touch your heart and stay with you long after the final credits roll.

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a confident King goes thru the ringer

Overall: I give the production large props for tackling several realistic issues; however, there were too many plot threads for them to develop them all well. Aired 8 episodes about 30 minutes each on ANIMA Studios YouTube channel. Here is the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMPz9QG8YAxIjGoPfHFugXYAbumaqC0Cj&si=4tZjYcP2X4JCgqlO

Content Warnings: past suicide, grief, hate crime, blood, homophobia, transphobia (including repeated dead naming), manhandling, non con picture taking, unwanted public outing, slap (the series needed more trigger warnings on the intro screen as I could see many things being very triggering for some people)

What I Liked
- the intro with some historical information included, integrated historical people in with the present
- an outspoken character that felt like a real person and not a stereotype
- queer representation including a trans female character (and something else but it's a spoiler)
- characters used stereotypes to determine who was queer and then called themselves out about it
- addressed realistic issues like homophobia/transphobia
- some sweet moments and the flag/scene at the end was excellent
- supportive friends, grandma & a dad
- production value

Room For Improvement
- hope that friend was fine in episode 1 when the dean was yelling at them and a character did something suddenly, would have been nice to see a check in about that
- odd that the first thing the grandma says to a grandson she presumably hasn't seen in awhile is to ask what his preferred sexual position was
- the water rescue trope where it was so shallow it looked like he could stand
- a terrible "plan" related to the pool
- what the mom did in episode 4 that isn't really addressed
- in episode 4 it wasn't as emotional as it could have been because they at first weren't clear what happened in the past and they hadn't established that character
- too many plot threads/antagonists, weren't able to develop all of them really well
- in episode 5 it wasn't clear what Lili told her friend
- as much as I hated Marco's actions, Lili saying "nobody loves you" went too far, maybe it was a translation error
- kind of making fun of getting consent in episode 6
- I understand why King said, "it's okay to be (spoiler)" but he should have checked in with that character first (ep 7)

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