The Wheel and Axle

Film & TV

Netflix’s Trese: Neither Here Noir There

by on Jun.18, 2021, under Film & TV, Geeky, Literature

* Not Spoiler-Free *

Last week, Netflix released its anime adaptation of the critically-acclaimed Filipino comics Trese (Budjette Tan / Kajo Baldisimo). It received much attention as the first Netflix adaptation of a Filipino property, and the road leading to the release was one of anticipation supported by a very creative, well-received PR campaign.

As a long-time Trese fan who has been following the comics for over a decade, I too was super stoked to finally see it come to the screen after 16 years since it was first published. Although a live action version would have been preferable, an anime version was also very much welcome. So upon release, I binged the 6-episode series – first with the Filipino dub, then with the English dub. It’s an easy binge, really – totaling about 3 hours (like I said, one LOTR Extended Edition film was longer).

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#InSun: Funk It Up

by on May.21, 2021, under Film & TV, Geeky, My Life, Queer

It’s such great timing! The customized Funko Pops that I had made for In and Sun, two of my favorite Thai BL characters, were delivered just a few days before the 24th birthday of Pluem Purim.

Pluem, of course, played the character of In in My Dear Loser: Edge of 17, while Chimon Wachirawit played Sun opposite him. The characters did small cameos in My Dear Loser: Happy Ever After before fully reprising the roles (and tying loose ends) in the second episode of the Our Skyy anthology, Our Skyy: #InSun.

There have been so much merchandise for other GMMTV properties, so it’s always been a frustration of mine that these two underrated characters have not been given much attention. Now, I had learned about a Funko customizer last year whom I commissioned to create customized Funko Pops of me and my friends. So this year, I decided to again commission from Oda Exclusive Custom Pops: In and Sun funkos!

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Pluem at 24

by on May.21, 2021, under Film & TV, My Life, Queer

Today, Pluem Purim / ปุริม รัตนเรืองวัฒนา (my fave Thai actor, if that weren’t obvious by now to people who know me) celebrates his 24th birthday!

I’ve mentioned in the past how much I admire this young man not just for his acting talent but also for his generosity. He regularly sponsors charity work, and he is hands-on as he himself goes out there. This year, Project #PluemPurim24thBD aims to again provide help to those affected by COVID-19.

I’ve read that folks in GMMTV consider Pluem as the nicest guy in their talent pool, and from what I’ve seen following his career, I believe them. As Pluem grows a year older, I know he’ll continue to shine.

 

สุขสันต์วันเกิด, Nong ปลื้ม!

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Pluem at 23

by on May.21, 2020, under Film & TV, My Life, Queer

สุขสันต์วันเกิด, Nong Pluem! Happy 23rd birthdayPurim Rattanaruangwattana!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I watch a lot of Thai series, especially BL, and that Pluem Purim is my favorite Thai actor. Starting with Slam Dance, I followed him to My Dear Loser / Our Skyy, the critically-acclaimed Happy Birthday: The Series, and the recent One Night Steal. I’ve also seen many of his past works, including Grean Fictions, Greanhouse, Siam Square, and others.

I first met Pluem in person at Chiang Mai Airport during my birthday vacation in 2018.

Since then, I’ve met him again twice.

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Understanding BL

by on Apr.27, 2020, under Film & TV, Literature, My Life, Queer, Society, Travel & Culture

As is obvious from the last prior post I published, it’s been a long time since I’ve updated my blog. I’ve been busy at work, but the current quarantine situation has basically told me: no more excuses.

I’ve been meaning to post reviews about the massive number of Thai BL series I’ve been following as well as travel blogs about BL-related places I’ve been to from SOTUS, My Dear Loser: Edge of 17, TayNew Meal Date, and others in the last couple of years. Another overdue post would be about the Our Skyy: Fan Meeting in Taipei which I went to in July 2019. Watch out for those!

In the meantime, while I gear up to get into all of that, I wrote another article for Esquire PH, this time to talk about Thai BL: what its literary roots are, what its cultural context is, and how it has evolved.

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Pluem at 22

by on May.21, 2019, under Film & TV, My Life, Queer

Happy 22nd birthday, P’Pluem!

I remain a huge fan of this guy. After his birthday last year, I was fortunate enough to have met him in person in Chiang Mai during my own birthday trip. Hoping for that again later this year, fingers crossed.

And ever since both Happy Birthday the Series and Our Skyy ended, I’ve been looking forward to One Night Steal. That’ll be a hoot since it’s also got Krist, even if it’s basically Just My Luck in Thai.

Maybe in 2020, we can finally see a new #InSun-dedicated series. Our Skyy left us wanting so much more; perhaps a series that intertwines the “what happened in between” and the “where are they now.”

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Maganda Ba? True!

by on Oct.13, 2018, under Film & TV, Queer, Society

Mamu; And A Mother, Too may seem, on the surface, just another film about the lives of transwomen, one that could either be too inappropriately comedic or else much too maudlin and schmaltzy.

And yet, it carefully avoids these while still retaining humor and heart.

The titular Mamu is a veteran transwoman sex worker living with her long-time partner, Vincent. Due to her estranged sister’s death, Mamu ends up taking her teenaged niece – Bona, who is also trans – into their home. Amidst poverty and growing walls between her and Vincent, Mamu struggles to adjust to having an adopted daughter who is as strong-willed as she is but who is perhaps not yet as street smart. It is the comparison and contrast between Mamu and Bona that drives much of the film, and the question of the repeating cycles of life and the possibility (or impossibility) of breaking those cycles becomes increasingly critical.

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Pluem in Person

by on Sep.01, 2018, under Film & TV, My Life, Queer

15 August 2018.

Originally posted on my Facebook account. I was on vacation in Thailand – first in Bangkok, then Chiang Mai. I never thought I’d ever get this opportunity, but wow.

Ok, forgive this fanboy moment, but I’ve been such a huge fan of Pluem Purim ever since Slam Dance the Series. Yes, I do watch Thai soaps and shows. Sue me.

Yesterday, I found out from the fan club’s IG that he’s flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok tonight, several hours before our own flight to Bangkok (where we would stay until Friday before flying home to the Philippines).

So I went for it.

He’s really nice and personable with the fans there. It was definitely worth the effort seeing him in person, and it was a nice thing to have experienced on my birthday vacation trip!

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Farewell, Mr. Bourdain.

by on Jun.09, 2018, under Film & TV, Society, Travel & Culture

As you finally depart for parts unknown, know that you have made a powerful impact on how the world can better understand the values of culture and acceptance.

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Derrick surrenders.

by on May.22, 2018, under Film & TV, Music & Theater, My Life

It’s no secret to folks around me that I’m a huge fan of Derrick Monasterio. Ever since The Road and through to Mulawin vs. Ravena, I’ve always thought he had the potential of a very good actor.

So far, he hasn’t disappointed – and like I said before, I see him as a triple threat: a rarity in show business, especially local. Despite Filipino expectations that their matinee idols be capable of singing, dancing, and acting, there are really very few who can actually do all three very well. Derrick, in my opinion, is one of those rare gems.

Well, he certainly hit the right notes again last Friday night in the sequel to the 2016 Oh Boy! concert, this time called Oh, Boy! Oh, LOL.

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