‘Marahuyo Project’: Queer ‘barkada’ series you can watch on YouTube

Anima Studios’ long-awaited queer barkada series “Marahuyo Project” premiered on June 24, just in time for Pride Month. The series is a celebration of queer stories, highlighting the studio’s commitment to empowering diversity and inclusivity in Philippine mainstream media.

Inspired by the nostalgia from the ’90s barkada shows that accompanied the adolescence of this current generation, Anima Studios presents the first Filipino barkada series that places multifaceted queer narratives front and center.

The series presents layers of relevant themes about the community’s fight for representation, equality and safe spaces enveloped in relatable and heart-warming story plots that underscore the importance of forming connections, embracing our true selves and understanding that life becomes more bearable when we let people in.

Anima Studios, the entertainment production studio under Kroma Entertainment, has been bringing Filipino talent to the global stage since 2016 through films, television, series and podcasts.

The “Marahuyo Project” cast is led by Adrian Lindayag, who recently played Angel in the musical “Rent.”

“Marahuyo Project,” set in the traditional town of Marahuyo, follows the journey of King, a vocal and feisty transferee, who lobbies to create the first LGBTQIA+ org in their campus.

As he champions his mission, he will be supported by his newly formed barkada, while encountering friction from faculty and students alike, including student council president Ino, played by Neo France Garcia. Rounding out the cast are Nour Hooshmand, content creator Yani Villarosa, AJ Sison, and Ian Villa.

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Director JP Habac, who grew up with the shows “Gimik,” “TGIS,” “Tabing Ilog,” etc., said that this is a show he wished his generation had when they were growing up.

“It’s a huge thing for me as a filmmaker to be able to create a barkada series that young people who are still looking their truth and identity could relate to… I hope ‘Marahuyo Project’ helps them in their self-discovery,” he said in Filipino.

There are eight episodes, each one running for 30 minutes. Watch them on the Anima Studios YouTube channel (youtube.com/@ANIMAStudiosPH).