The Philippines’ first queer dating reality show, “Sparks Camp,” is returning for its third season, this time set in the mountains and streaming on a new platform.
Premiering July 16 on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel, the latest season introduces 10 new campers as they search for love in a highland setting. Directed by Theodore Boborol, the show also features a new theme song, “Nahuhulog,” performed by The Voice Teens PH alum Chie.
“It’s really close to my heart that we’ve reached the third season. Who would have thought? We weren’t even mainstream in our first two seasons — we were on the Black Sheep channel. And then finally, ABS-CBN gave us another season, and at the same time, we have a new home — we’re now on the ABS-CBN YouTube channel,” Boborol said during the show’s press conference.
The show, a nominee for Best Original Reality and/or Competition Program at the 2024 ContentAsia Awards, has already garnered over seven million YouTube views across its first two seasons. Now, it aims to further raise the bar in queer representation.
“Despite all the difficulties, challenges, and the things we’ve heard, I’m happy that we still have a queer dating show in the Philippines. Queer people still lack representation. The campers are genuinely trying to get to know each other, and I love that because that’s really how a love story begins,” Boborol added.
Returning as host is LGBTQIA+ advocate and Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, also known as “Mother Sparker.” For her, this season marks a new emotional depth for the series.
“This is also my third season as ‘Mother Sparker,’ so if season 1 was demure, season 2 was explosive, season 3 is mature. Emotionally mature because you will see a lot of conversations, a lot of initiation — so there’s real intention,” Habijan said.
This year’s cast includes advertising executive Joer Reyes, content creator Edward Maalihan, brand strategist Kim Bejerano, performing artist Harold Espiritu, pilot Andrew Rabin, podcaster Julian Agustin, flight attendant Khali Empleo, graduate student Aaron Aberasturi, professional wrestler Julio Dragon Silvestre and marketer Ants Pedregosa.
According to Habijan, each camper brings something unique.
“We’re trying to show not just the Filipino people but the whole world how beautiful queer people are. These 10 campers of season 3 are proof that there are many layers, many faces, and many facets to LGBTQ+ individuals. They each carry their own stories, their own experiences — and that’s what diverse experiences are all about,” she said.
For the first time, the show will also release a director’s cut version with extended episodes, available exclusively for Super Kapamilya members on YouTube and via iWant.
Catch the season premiere of Sparks Camp on July 16, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday for free on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel. Director’s cut access is available through the Super Kapamilya tab or on iWant.
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