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Série pinoy de qualidade? Temos!
Em meio a um mar de péssimas séries Filipinas lançadas em 2020, temos Hello stranger como uma das poucas que deu certo. É uma série de pandemia como praticamente todas de 2020, tem um roteiro suave, sem dramas estrambólicos, personagens super cativantes e um elenco que tem uma ótima química. A série é fofa, cômica, reflexiva, traz muitos sentimentos à tona.O roteiro foca em três temas que acabam se entrelaçando. O primeiro é a amizade de Mico e de seu grupo (me apaixonei por Kookaie pela professora). O segundo é o envolvimento gradual e delicado dele e Xavier, que no começo não se deram bem, mas se permitiram abrir o coração um para o outro. O terceiro é o relacionamento de Xavier com Crystal, e aqui existe uma grande falha... eles iniciaram um relacionamento quando Xavier ainda namorava, isso por si só já é algo reprovável, e Xavier não tem estrutura psicológica para dizer não à Crystal, ok, ela estava em um momento difícil, mas era melhor enganá-la e fingir que ainda a amava? A série deixa claro que Xavier estava confuso sobre sua sexualidade, e esse foi um dos fatores que causou a confusão, pois sendo Mico bem resolvido, não quis se colocar na posição de amante, e isso é louvável. Ainda bem que no final tudo se resolve, mas eu achei que deveria ter tido um beijão no encontro, já que ambos estavam negativados para COVID, deveriam aproveitar não é? Outro ponto interessante, é que não sabemos nada sobre as famílias dos personagens, e o mais estranho é que apesar de ser uma série de pandemia, ninguém fala em pandemia (???).
Achei a atuação dos protagonistas muito boa, inclusive, na hora da apresentação do trabalho da escola eu chorei com eles. O resto do elenco também atua bem, é necessário entender que a atuação filipina é meio que singular...
Nos aspectos técnicos, sinto que foi bem melhor que a maioria das séries pinoy, tivemos uma boa continuidade, fotografia, filmografia, ost.
Enfim, acho que eu poderia ver mil vezes sem cansar! Recomendo muito, amo essa série, e o filme também é ótimo, inclusive tenho resenha dele aqui no MDL.
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Moc se mi tento menší seriál líbil. Jako kdyby ani nebyl z Filipín (až na učitelku). Příběh jednoduchý, bez okrasných nebo zbytečně zdržujících kudrlinek, covidově SOUČASNÝ a MODERNÍ. Sympatičtí herci, krásná úvodní píseň (jeden bod za Zvuk jsem snížil za to, že v pátém a především čtvrtém díle je uprostřed hudba hodně rozladěná, falešná), výborný střih a zpracování. Zásluhu na skvělém dojmu mají všichni herci, ale především dva hlavní - dvacetiletý JC Alcantara (Mico) a pětadvacetiletý Tony Labrusca (Xavier), narozený v USA a především tvůrci samotní, kteří za minimalistické náklady vytvořili tento roztomilý pandemický seriálek.
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An honest and emotionally captivating love story
'Hello Stranger' follows the life of Mico Ramos, the shy and socially inept college freshman, whose future revolves around four well-planned goals: get a college scholarship, graduate with honors, attend medical school and be rich. Having a girlfriend is not part of his plans, since a courtship could be, as he himself expresses, a distraction from his studies.It has the best three friends that any teenager could dream of: Kookai (Vivoree Esclito), Seph (Patricio Quiroz) and Junjun (Miguel Almendras). The four are part of an unpopular group of virgins and nerds, the Young Padawans, of which Mico is the leader.
The new coronavirus pandemic has caused the only contact between them and between them and the outside world to be through cell phones and, above all, virtual online meetings.
However, the protagonist's plans will be turned upside down when he organizes an online trivia night with his barkada, and Xavier de Guzmán, a popular and arrogant basketball player on the university team, arrives uninvited, insults them and virtually, without intending it. …changes everything Mico had planned with his life.
What would be Mico's surprise when he discovers, the next day, that his lively Literature teacher, Ms. Tina, whom the four friends call Jedi Master in a parallel universe, entrusts him with a rescue mission: to partner with Xavier to Make a school project together for your subject.
Xavier cannot refuse, as he is about to be kicked off the basketball team due to his low grades in Literature class. And this time he will not have the help of his girlfriend Crystal (Gillian Vicencio), who always does his academic work for him. He has to wade into the water even if it is up to his neck, as the student project, which consists of creating a dialogue based on a selected poem, “ Sa Kasintahang Nilimot Na,” by Benilda S. Santos, will be graded after being performed virtually.
Mico, for his part, will not be able to avoid contacting the haughty and failed student, since the final result of the other in the subject depends on the evaluation of one.
Did she know what the Jedi Master was doing when she paired Xavier and Mico for the class project? Did you know that this circumstance would cause significant changes in the lives of these two strangers, who didn't seem to like each other very much?
It is evident that all this happens with a well-defined objective: there would not be a story to tell if Xavier and Mico had not begun their relationship between insults and bad faces due to the hostility created beforehand, if there were not a school assignment to complete and the two of them paired to carry it out.
The truth is that if they learned anything from their schoolwork, it is to be honest with everyone, especially with yourself, and express what you really feel or you risk losing the person you love. In this sense, from the Literature teacher we will hear: "Happiness should not be based on how people perceive us, but on how we really see ourselves."
The series, filmed with zoom, revolves around this premise, and is revealing for those who hide their true identity. With just the right drama, it exposes only honest feelings waiting to be expressed from one to the other, seen from Kookai's confession to Mico, Seph's to Kookai and, above all, the one that the public impatiently awaits: the declaration of love. from Mico to Xavier.
It is never easy to confess deep emotions, but the protagonists find the courage to express their feelings, and thus find the freedom that is denied to them by a patriarchal and heteronormative society that tells you that loving someone of the same sex is not correct.
Even knowing that their feelings may not be reciprocated, the protagonists are convinced that choosing silence always leads to regrets and that those who are brave enough to be honest with themselves will be rewarded with the truth, because our own destiny is in our hands, we love who we want to love, and our choice and decisions in life will always win.
Therefore, the series strongly insists that what matters is that LOVE will always remain LOVE, and no one can break that.
'Hello Stranger' is not perfect. But what distinguishes it from other BL series is its simplicity and at the same time a great love story; its good writing and execution, in which each episode advances and deepens the story and makes the viewer intensely anticipate the next chapter.
At the same time as a romantic comedy and about coming of age, the series is directed by Filipino filmmaker Petersen Vargas, who has several films and series focused on identity and sexual diversity, such as '2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten', winner of the Best Film award at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival (2016) and Audience Award at the Turin LGBTQI Film Festival (2017). He is also known for being the creator and director of the first Filipino gay web series, 'Hanging Out', and the short film 'How to Die Young in Manila', starring Elijah Canlas and Kokoy de Santos.
A team of screenwriters led by Patrick R. Valencia (Always Be My Maybe) and made up of Kookai Labayen, Ella A. Palileo, Isabella Policarpio, Joanna Marie T. Reyes, Rhed Sandico, Daniel Saniana and Kris Ann de la Peña, are the charged with drawing characters and developing conflicts that revolve around the love attraction and unlikely relationship of Mico and Xavier, two seemingly straight boys, as they navigate schoolwork in the midst of a pandemic as strangers, enemies, partners, friends and much more further.
Although the series is not the most innovative in its plot, it makes up for it in the way in which all the characters do their staging and carry the plot.
The team behind the cameras, in which Carlos Mauricio also excels in Photography, comes together to provoke a roller coaster of emotions, while they let us visualize a calm and sincere story about the healthy love relationship of Mico and Xavier.
The acting of the protagonists is great. The character of Mico, played by actor JC Alcantara in his usual self, will bring tears to your eyes through his pain, and laughter due to his contagious joy and overwhelming joy, with his expressive eyes, sometimes tearful, sometimes smiling, and marked dimples that furrow his face. With a convincing performance, he adorably looks, shyly, away when he realizes that he has found love.
"Why do we have to become partners in this project? Why do you have to become friends with me? Why are you always teasing me? Why do you listen to me talk about my problems? Why did you give me the chance to find out who I really am I met the real Mico thanks to you. I learned to love because of you. I didn't want this to happen. And to be honest, this isn't really your fault. I like you, Xavier. You are the only thing that was never in my plans. But you are the only thing that makes me happy. I thought you taught me to fall, but honestly you are the one who taught me and showed me that I can fly," Mico will confess to Xavier.
And he, at another time, will respond: "Mico believed in me more than I believed in myself. He not only changed me. He made me a better person."
As for Tony Labrusca, he categorically dispels all doubts that the viewer may have about his character in the first episodes, proving himself worthy of the role of Xavier as the 8 chapters of about 20 minutes each progress, exuding the development of a character from a very popular bad boy image on social networks with more than 25 thousand followers on Instagram, to growing personally and spiritually as a man who deals with the confusion of having fallen in love with another man, at the same time that capable of feeling pain and expressing emotions.
Both actors, with amazing chemistry that exudes genuineness, convey love outside the heteronormative bubble with such reverence and authenticity.
With exquisite cinematography, all the supporting roles have their fair share of on-screen moments, achieving high marks.
I don't want to end the review without mentioning the soundtrack, in which its main theme stands out, "Kahit Na Anong Sabihin Ng Iba", performed by the same actors, which already occupies an important place among my favorite music.
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Another Philippine Hit
OMG this one is way to cute !!! another online based Drama and this is based around school and a project --Loving it so far -- Mains are so cute and sweet - I am only 2 episodes in and waiting for ep. 3 but I am really liking it The Mains - one has a GF and having trouble as they are do this during the Pandemic - he is all excited as he is focusing more on his studies and such -- but his GF seems to blow him off after he apologizes for not being there for her and how excited he was more focused on his studies - I cannot wait for EP. 3 coming Wednesday 830 AM (Philippine time )
and it is freaking awesome watch it !!
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My Favourite Pinoy BL So Far...
The trailer for this series was great! Everything was on point! The editing and transitions were perfect! I rewatched it several times, which is something that I have yet to do with the trailers of other BL series. However, the first episode was quite disappointing. There were a number of moments that were too quiet and could have benefitted from background music like the scenes with the aloof girlfriend who cares only about appearances. The editing was slow. The acting was mediocre. The story was quite simple, predictable and actually too quick in my opinion. Within the span of one episode, Mico and Xavier went from strangers/rivals into friends who remind one another to eat, all without actually meeting one another in person. GameBoys, another pinoy BL that uses video calling, does a better job of showing the relationship between the two leads develop. However, I did enjoy the ending where Mico got flustered when he accidentally liked one of Xavier's IG post and Xavier reached out, asking if he liked him. And Tony Labrusca (Xavier) is hot! Anyways, hopefully, this series will get better in its next episode.Episode 2 was good! The story and the actions of the characters felt more natural and realistic than the first episode. This series does have a slow pace when it's working so far. It's nice seeing Mico and Xavier's relationship progress as they get to know one another more, learn to build trust with one another and start to break down their walls (unlike GameBoys where Gav immediately wanted to get with Kai). Seeing Mico learn to be empathetic towards Xavier, instead of just worrying about his grades was a nice touch as it showed his inexperience dealing with someone that he likes. Hopefully, he will continue to learn to be a better friend to Xavier. Like a YouTube comment said, "It feels like an indie." I'm excited for the next episode and to see Mico and Xavier's relationship deepen!
Episode 3 was a bit slow as Mico and Xavier's relationship continues to progress. It felt a bit awkward at times, both in terms of the acting and the story. I'm quite sure, along with others, that the last scene is a dream of fantasy of Mico's. There's no way that Xavier confessing to Mico is legit (at least not yet). Or it's Xavier messing with Mico, which could end badly like the opening scene of this series where Mico is seen crying from heartbreak.
Episode 4 was quite good as Mico and Xavier got closer and there were several kilig moments between them. Them virtually sleeping next to one another was so cute! My favourite episode of the series so far! I cannot wait to see them meet one another
Episode 5 was okay. Other than the beginning where Xavier and Mico met and ending where Xavier confessed his feelings for Mico, I was kinda bored throughout this episode, which was a bit slow as there wasn't much progression. As others have stated, there is only 3 episodes left, so I wonder how Xavier crying (which was shown at the start of the series) will be portrayed and if he will have a happy ending.
I actually really enjoyed Episode 6 unlike other viewers. Many people criticized the writers for both Mico's reaction to Xavier's confession and Xavier getting back together with Crystal. However, for me, it made sense. Mico is insecure and believes that Xavier is straight, so when Xavier confessed that the love song that he just performed was for Mico. Mico was shocked. He couldn't believe that his fantasy of having Xavier like him back was coming true. As a result, he deflected by laughing and asking if that was a joke to which Xavier, who is experiencing feelings for a boy for the first time, also laughs due to not wanting to feel embarrassed since he was just rejected. I really hope that there will be a happy ending! Just two more episodes! I'm happy that they're not extending the series like GameBoys, which keeps getting extended to the detriment of the quality of the series.
Episode 7 was kinda cheesy to be honest. The performance that Mico and Xavier put on, which just so happens to also mirror their actual feelings was a bit too on-the-nose. JC's acting is quite good! I was always impressed with this acting chops though he is still relatively a newcomer. However, Tony, who has been in the industry longer, pales in comparison. He is unable to emote and every emotional scene with him felt forced unlike JC, which felt natural. I am looking forward to Mico actually confessing his feelings to Xaiver though I doubt (unfortunately) that they will have a finale kiss or embrace due to COVID.
Episode 8 was very cheesy, especially when Xavier sang for Mico who finished the song when Xavier forgot the lyrics. It was also cute though. I was so disappointed that there wasn't a kiss. I wanted - I was waiting for a kiss after the hug, but we got another hug. *shakes head in disappointment* The new high-five lol. I do wonder though why there wasn't a kiss. Was it because Tony or JC didn't want to kiss? Was it because of Covid? Was it the way that it was written? Anyways, I've heard that there will be a Hello Strangers Movie! I truly hope that there will be a kiss in it!
All in all, I really enjoyed Hello Stranger. It was entertaining, touching, natural and perfectly paced. My favourite pinoy BL series thus far (and that's including GameBoys lol). I'm going to miss coming home every Wednesday to watch another episode of this series :'( Anyways, on a more positive note, I hope to see JC and Tony in more BL roles in the near future!
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Ernest Gabriel Watanabe
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A not so bad series
Well I don't wanna spoil or write a good review at the moment but I skipped most parts. It's a bit unrealistic but the kilig and cringe is real.It's another source of oxygen on this pandemic that may cause too much depression.
The love is as I said unrealistic. The props and portrayal especially the costume is another thing to cringe. The gay flag on his jacket, the mask from the water container, the necklace some exaggerated large paper clips. I don't know but I find it unnecessary.
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It's Okay
Hi! Hello Stranger is a good starter BL for the PH (along with other BLs that are currently airing). I have heard this due to it's high promotions of the company in social media.STORY: it is a typical enemies-turned-friends type of stories, and while these kinds of stories excites me, I am afraid that they have become stagnant with that. There's no additional, out-of-the box something in the story itself and how it was presented.
ACTING: their acting was okay, but i feel like the acting of the casts do not meet even for a single episode. There is an ep where Xavier is superb and Mico fell flat. There is an ep where Xavier and Mico was good but the friends were flat. And there was an ep where everyone did a good job except for Xavier. I hope that they can be comfortable with each other.
MUSIC: good but nothing special. No original flavor. Though I feel lile the end-credit son represents the whole vibe of the series pretty well.
REWATCH VALUE: I scored it 6.5 because there are times when i say to myself "let's rewatch the past eps" and then another voice inside me keep saying "better not". And there are times when it is actually enjoyable to rewatch. It's not something that you can really enjoy for 6 days while waiting for the next ep (at least for me)
Hello Stranger is a good series! It's still in episode 3 so I hope that they can correct some issues. I wouldnt really change my rating because when I noticed xertain issues, it's hard for me to overlook at those for even the slightest. So this is prolly my rating for this series
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