Get Marahuyo with JP Habac’s Marahuyo Project
Marahuyo, a Filipino word we rarely hear in a typical conversation, simply means ‘to get enchanted’ to something. That said, this word just fits perfectly to be the title of JP Habac’s latest series on Youtube, Marahuyo Project—a queer barkada content that presents various Filipino queer experiences. Told in the voices and lenses of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community, making it more genuine and relatable to many Filipino youth, especially those who identify themselves somewhere in the vibrant spectrum of the rainbow.
This latest queer representation in the Filipino media tells us not only one story but different stories of Filipino youth discovering their most genuine selves in the island of Marahuyo, whose name contradicts the prevalent beliefs and backward perspectives of its residents, mirroring the existing reality of our society. Marahuyo Project bravely unfolds the experiences of queer individuals in a community blinded by the traditional beliefs and conservatism, unwilling to embrace diversity.
Having such a series is a brave move, especially by daring to put it into the mainstream, braving the uncertainty of the audience reception of the content, knowing how Philippines remain an unsafe space for the queer community. This project holds force to let the people understand queer experiences through queer perspectives. And the thing is anybody can stream Marahuyo Project for free!
What makes Marahuyo Project enchanting?
We now have characters to whom we can see ourselves!
For the longest time of consuming Filipino masterpieces in film and television as a queer individual, I had to reimagine characters in their queer counterparts just so I can see myself in them. Most of the time, characters who dared to represent the members of the LGBTQIA+ community appear as side characters with the least lines and whose stories we never knew. In other words, genuine representation of the rainbow community lacks vibrance to shine brightly in its purpose.
As we continue our fight for equality and acceptance, we get to see changes in terms of the queer presence in the Filipino media, and Marahuyo Project is among those who broke the boundaries. Watching it just feels personal and way too relatable, especially for someone who identifies themselves part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It touches queer hearts down to its core. I can just imagine how the future generation would no longer need to reimagine the characters in their queer counterparts because Marahuyo Project made a clear statement that queerness is beyond just being a funny side character but heroes of their own true stories.
Marahuyo Project unfolds queer experiences.
Growing up as a queer with little to no representation to look up to made me feel as if my experiences in life are so peculiar that no one would understand me. The lack of relatability, especially with those presented in the media, also made my experiences puzzling even from my own point of view. I had to struggle finding the answers to my own questions. Thanks to Marahuyo Project, the new generation who’ll find themselves as part of the rainbow community no longer have to go onto their vibrant journey alone and in full uncertainty.
This series offers a lot of queer experiences, particularly in the coming-of-age stage of life, which I found relatable. It made my past experiences feel valid. Only if my generation had the chance to consume such content in the Filipino media, we would not have questioned ourselves, our experiences, and our identities. Through Marahuyo Project, I am beyond certain that this generation could embrace the truest versions of themselves and be proud of their enchanting truth.
It is a series of pride—a protest!
Considering how Marahuyo Project mirrors the reality of the Filipino queer community in our society, it braved the uncertainty of audience reception to discuss issues and make the audience realize the significance of our calls as part of the rainbow community. Our continuous struggle for acceptance and equality is present in this series, making it an impactful avenue to push our advocacies. The undeniable love of Filipinos for series and films, Marahuyo Project holds the power to help the audience understand our calls and even transform people into allies who will amplify our voices in the name of pride and protest!
Marahuyo Project would never be your typical barkada series as it serves us another level of experience, especially as queer individuals who now get to see characters to whom we can see ourselves. It revolves around stories that unfold queer experiences that many people barely knew, strengthening our stand for pride and equality.
While we wish for another season of Marahuyo Project, may we turn all the enchanting lessons it taught us into reality and take our calls down the streets of places that mirror the reality of the island where everything began. If you haven’t watched this yet, it’s time to stream it for free and get marahuyo with JP Habac’s Marahuyo Project!
