When the first season of Sparks Camp was announced, it was met with a lot of criticisms from the queer community. I mean even I criticized it too. But while some of these were very valid, some were just dismissive and borderline hateful. Still, considering that its second season is now in its third week and is still being talked about, I think it’s safe to say that the queer reality dating program has successfully found its audience amidst all the noise. I am one of them. And I have to say: just a few episodes in, this season is a lot better than the first, and I need more of the gays to check it out. 

Here’s why:

Mother Mela

Mela Habijan has always been a good choice for a host. She represents a lot of the good things about the queer community. She’s compassionate, intelligent, and she’s put in the work for the community behind the scenes. Something has changed for the better with her hosting this season, though. There’s a certain ease to her manner of speaking this time that feels more attuned to the frequency of television. It feels like she’s more settled into her power and authority as the show’s host – without losing her ever-compassionate, vulnerable, and nurturing self! – and it’s been such a joy to witness. 

The new camp

I can’t even remember what the first season’s camp looked like but I just remember it being underwhelming and cramped up. This season’s location makes me want to visit. The beach in Pangasinan that they got for the camp is perfectly picturesque and makes for a more conducive place for romance. 

The new campers

I mean no shade towards the campers of Season 1, they’ve given us good moments, but this cast is simply more exciting. Because while the first season’s cast did have interesting stories, I feel like they all just got more interesting towards the end of their season. And by the time their dynamics became interesting enough to keep us hooked, the season already ended. With the exception of fan favorite Bong Gonzales, this season’s cast simply seems to be more ready – if not eager – to be vulnerable and share who they are.   

Improved storytelling

And yeah, to be fair to the first season’s cast, some of their shortcomings were due to the show’s storytelling, I suppose. I mean, we learned too late about Alex and Justin’s past! What do you mean something was happening between Nick and Nat and we didn’t get any of it until the reunion?

This time, though, the miscommunication that led to the Universe, Zuher, and Martin love triangle has been compelling to watch. The ripples that the decisions these campers make actually move the story forward in an entertaining way now! And may I just say, love or hate Zuher, episode four shows he has sass that makes good reality TV drama. 

Fems are desirable!

One of the biggest frustrations audiences had against the maiden season was the Bong disrespect, so to speak. He was the king of confessionals, the season’s narrator, and he was so loved by the fans, but that love wasn’t translating to sparks from his fellow campers. And yes, it was simply reflective of a larger problem within the gay community, but I believe it is also queer media’s power and responsibility to challenge the status quo by presenting better possibilities and different ways of being. 

That’s why the Paco and Ejay storyline this season gives me so much joy. To watch a drag queen who doesn’t hold back on his femininity be openly desired by this hairy jock (Who’s into getting his armpits licked. More on that later.) hugely because of his flamboyance flips the prevailing narrative that to be femme is to be undesirable.

And fems must stand together!

Meanwhile, Miggy who, so far, seems to be following Bong’s footsteps, gets a much-needed pep talk from another feminine camper, Seichi, who reminds him not to put all his eggs in one basket (or all his sparks in one bucket, rather) and that they should stand in solidarity of each other in recognition of the fact that effeminate gay men are always relegated to a certain box by the rest of the gay community.

The sexier season

Again, no shade at the first season’s cast, but this cast is not shy to be sexy and sexual. Paco openly sharing his love for getting his armpit licked? Kyle volunteering to lick it in front of the whole cast and Mela in broad daylight? A casual kiss in episode three? Zuher nonchalantly doing a demo of a roleplay he loves to do during sex? And all that while having a healthy conversation surrounding gay sex, hookup culture, and even sex work! I was both entertained and impressed! 

Support queer shows, period

Sparks Camp isn’t the only gay reality dating show that’s out now. Netflix also recently released The Boyfriend where several gay men live together in the same house and man a coffee truck to earn for their daily supplies while looking for love. And you know what’s interesting? I’ve seen so many Filipino gay men on Twitter tuned in on that show without a single mention of how the cast all have similar body types or how there’s no representation for effeminate gays – basically everything we are quick to criticize Sparks Camp for!

I guess what I’m saying is, yes, these critiques are more than valid. But why is it so easy for us to give foreign shows a pass while being so strict and critical with our own releases to the point of dismissing them as too baduy to be given our time? Because The Boyfriend has superior cinematography? Better storytelling and format? Has more abs? I thought you guys wanted a diverse cast?

The full tea is that producing a show is effing hard enough. Producing a queer show, any show for a minority group like ours? Exponentially harder. Our queer creators are doing whatever the hell it takes to smuggle our stories out there and the only way they can break out of the shortcomings and flaws we find so hard to let pass is for them to keep making more. And trust me. If we don’t watch what they put out now, they won’t be allowed to make more.

Sparks Camp premieres every Wednesday night on Black Sheep’s YouTube Channel.

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