Bukas ulit, mga bakla!

Date of Publication

4-2026

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Arts

Subject Categories

Film and Media Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Marie Luz D. Mamawal

Defense Panel Member

Dempster Samarista
Martin Vidanes
Ruepert Jiel D. Cao

Abstract (English)

This thesis explores the representation of LGBTQIA+ identities in the Filipino media industry through the development of a 20-minute sitcom pilot episode entitled Bukas Ulit, mga Bakla!. The story centers on three gay man who struggle to keep their small-town beauty salon afloat as their financial difficulties coincide with their personal conflicts, with the help of the various personalities in their community. In order to attract customers and keep the business alive, they employ a series of unconventional, but humorous tactics, revealing the comedic and emotional realities of their lives.

This story aims to change the Filipino prime-time watching audience's perspectives on LGBTQIA+ characters by portraying them as multidimensional characters, showing that they are more than the stereotypes imposed on queer individuals in both the fictional and non-fictional world, by demonstrating that they navigate friendship, work, and chosen family not dissimilar to the average Filipino. The pilot episodes use typical Filipino sitcom humor and instances of breaking the fourth wall where the characters directly address the audience, reminiscent of some queer works in the Philippine media that highlight their typical struggles as an average Filipino.

By creating this pilot episode, audiences are able to see that queer characters aren’t “just” gay, but that they’re more than what they see in television, even more so in real life, by portraying socially aware themes. The pilot episode is filmed with a multi-camera setup with static and hand-held camera techniques to capture an authentic view of their humor and ensemble interactions within the salon.

1080p. MP4 Format. Running time of approximately 20 minutes.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Ang thesis na ito ay nagpapakita ng iba’t ibang identidad ng mga parte ng LGBTQIA+ sa industriya ng Filipino media sa pamamagitan ng isang 20-minutong sitcom pilot episode sa pamagat na Bukas Ulit, mga Bakla!.  Ang kwento ay nakasentro sa tatlong baklang lalaki na sinusubukang salbahin ang kanilang maliit na beauty salon habang pinagsasabay ang kanilang pinansiyal na problema at personal na problema sa tulong ng iba’t ibang tao sa kanilang komunidad. Para makakuha ng mga customer at mapanatiling buhay ang kanilang salon, gumawa sila ng iba’t ibang hindi pangkaraniwan, pero nakakatawang solusyon, na nagpapakita ng nakakatawa at nakakalungkot na realidad ng kanilang buhay.

Layunin ng kwentong itong magbigay ng bagong perspektibo sa mga Pilipinong nanonood ng prime-time serye sa pagpapakita sa kanila bilang multidimensional characters, ipinapakita niyo na hindi sila lang sila isang stereotype sa totoo at hindi-toong buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita kung paano nila.

Sa paggawa ng pelikulang ito, makikita ng mga manonood na ang mga bading na karakter na ito ay hindi lang sila bading, pero na mas malalim ang pagkatao nila kesa sa nakikita natin sa telebisyon, mas lalo na sa totoong buhay sa pagpapakita ng socially aware themes. Gamit ng multi-camera setup at static and hand-held camera techniques, makakakita ng tunay na halimbawa ng kanilang humor at pakikisalamuha sa isa’t isa sa loob ng salon.

1080p. MP4 Format. Humigit-kumulang 20 minutong haba ng pelikula.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Situation comedies (Television programs); Sexual minorities in mass media; Gay men in mass media

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Embargo Period

4-21-2026

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