‘Sakristan’ creates a stir
The trailer of the series trended online and some people think few eyebrows would have arched if only a different title was used. Really, what is it with “Sakristan” that’s made it talk of the town?
In a Zoom press conference with director Darryl Yap attended by Bulletin Entertainment, he said that just because his latest work is a Boy Love series, and that the lead characters happen to be altar boys, doesn’t mean it’s a stab at the church or that they’re trying to make a statement.
To begin with, he said “Sakristan” is not only about and for members of the LGBTQ+ but more to provide a platform for understanding and acceptance.
“Ayoko pong binubukod ang komunidad. Dapat po, ito ay para sa lahat,” he said. “Dito nila mas maiintindihan, lalo na po ng mga konserbatibo, kung ano ang kalbaryo, sakripisyo, paghihirap, sarap, at ginhawa ng mga---hindi lang naman ng sakristan na nagkaroon ng pagkakataon umibig sa kapwa niyang lalake, kung hindi ng mga tunay na lalake na nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na inuusbungan ng pakiramdam sa kapwa nila, marami rin po kasi akong kaibigan, mga kakilala na may ganitong sitwasyon.”
The eight-part series streamed on VinCentiments YouTube Channel stars Clifford Pusing as Zachary Vigo and John Henry Villanueva as Christian Cordero.
Zach is ordered by the school board to become an altar server as a punishment for an offense he committed. The board believes this will keep him away from mischief.
The altar servers follow a buddy-buddy system where the sheep (a term used to refer to newbies) is partnered with a senior altar boy, called the shepherd. Because of his not-so-good record, Zach is assigned as the sheep of the head of the shepherds, Christian.
Even though people think that’s recipe for bromance, Darryl said it’s just daring in a “brave and liberating” way.
“’Sakristan’ is not a dark attack, not a tasteless sexual series, but a cute eye-opener, a strong testament of love, beyond gender and belief,” he was quoted in a statement.
We asked Darryl if doing the series would have been easier had the two lead stars been gay in real life.
“That didn’t occur to me and I didn’t even ask them if they’re gay or straight---it doesn’t matter,” he said to that effect. “They’re actors, they’re acting, so they can do any role.”
Admittedly, Clifford’s and John’s parents frowned on the project in the beginning. But Darryl asked them to read the script in full before passing judgment.
Clifford is a tri-athlete, just like his character. He won three golds in the Prisaa Regional Meet 2020. His achievements include IronKids champion in Davao City, 2018 Medalist Subic International Triathlon, Medalist in 2018 National Age Group Triathlon.
John, on the other hand, has appeared in two VinCentiments series, namely “Perstaym Taympers” and “Cheating.” The theater actor played lead in “Meteor Garden Reimagined” and the title role “Super Gapo.”
Touch-Move,” the first episode of “Sakristan” was shot in Olongapo, strictly following shooting protocols during the quarantine period.