October 29, 2025
Diwa (EJ Jallorina) is a transwoman who was a victim of trans hate at her workplace. A senior lawyer of their firm, Atty. Sylvia Quiambao (Meann Espinosa) complains to their HR about Diwa's using the women's restroom. The transphobic security guard (Tads Obach) abuses his authority to the point of humiliating Diwa every time she needs to go. Following a tip, Diwa had to go all the way down to Basement 6 to use the restroom there.
Because of a recent break-up, Diwa spurned the romantic overtures of her photographer workmate Maki (Migs Almendras). Instead, she turned to compact discs containing digital porn audio recordings by an artist named Dreamboi (Tony Labrusca). One night, while she was in the Basement 6 restroom, she overheard sounds of sexual ecstasy from the other cubicle. She realized it was actually her mysterious Dreamboi himself, in the flesh.
The new Cinesilip Film Festival, featuring 7 new erotic films, all rated R-18, ran from October 22-28, 2025 in four Ayala Malls cinemas -- Trinoma, Market Market, Circuit Makati and Manila Bay. The one with the loudest buzz was "Dreamboi" because the MTRCB rated it X two times, and only after some cuts was it approved for commercial screening with an R-18. It went on to dominate the festival awards, winning both Best Picture and Audience Choice awards.
It was clearly apparent why "Dreamboi" dominated the technical awards, namely Cinematography by Malay Javier, Editing by Arnex Nicolas, Production Design by Chips Day Abando, and most especially, Sound by Immanuel Verona and John Buquid. From the very first scene and throughout, that loud reverberating bass sound and the percolating musical score (I can't believe that did not win!) can literally shake you to your very core.
Tony Labrusca's Dreamboi may have been the title character, and his face was the only one in the poster. He and his soft porn scenes -- be they fantasy or reality -- may have taken up a lot of screen time, but really, he was not really the main point of the film. Nevertheless, Labrusca definitely gave his 100% in terms of smoldering looks and macho sexuality here. He projected this sexy attitude at all times, never letting go even if he was only in the background.
This film highlighted a number of discriminatory practices that transwomen face everyday from narrow-minded conservatives around them. Diwa actually confronted Atty. Sylvia, albeit only in her mind, accusing her of being jealous of transwomen being free of menstruation and pregnancy. The bathroom issue is actually just minor as far as their problems go, as this trans hate can escalate to frank assault (that intense jeepney scene!) and even murder.
Lead actress EJ Jallorina did very well in her breakthrough role, as Diwa was a challenging character with various subtle nuances. Aside from her, there were also a number of transwomen actresses in the cast, the most prominent being Iyah Mina as their mother hen of their boarding house -- Mama Guada. Her one main scene addressing her wards about their plight as transwomen being killed or erased was the heart and soul of the whole film.
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