Director Theodore Boborol couldn’t help but be proud of the opportunities the Sparks Camp alumni have been receiving both inside and outside showbiz.
Four of the previous campers of the queer dating reality show — Miggy Ruallo, Nick Deocampo, Universe Ramos, and Bong Gonzales — have ventured into acting and can now be seen in the ongoing sports dramedy series Love at First Spike.
Bong, a product of the show’s first season, also made notable appearances in a few films like A Very Good Girl and Un/Happy for You.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Direk Ted underscored that it was never the intention of the show to discover and scout potential actors.
READ: Meet Theodore Boborol: The man behind 'Sparks Camp' is a time-tested, kilig-rousing filmmaker
“Honestly, in Sparks Camp, we are not casting for actors. Hindi naman kami nag-ca-cast para maging artista sila. That’s because these campers have actual jobs. They’re doing corporate jobs. They have their own businesses,” he said.
But seeing them shine under their own spotlight makes his heart happy as a director.
“The fact na nag-ve-venture sila into the entertainment world, doing acting stuff, that’s something that I’m happy for them because na-di-discover nila ‘yung other talents nila,” he said.
Direk Ted, who is also the creative producer of Love at First Spike, is also happy with the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members in the cast.
“Ang gusto ko naman dun is ‘yung characters ng Love at First Spike, ‘yung mga members ng Gay Volleyball team, may representation talaga because they are played by gay actors,” he said.
The director also took pride in the endeavors of the other alumni of the show, especially those who are actively involved in initiatives that uplift the rainbow community.
“Happy ako kasi most of them, even if they are not actors, have a certain influence to promote products, to be influencers of certain brands, and at the same time, represent the LGBTQIA+ community. Sa mga LGBTQIA+ events na-i-invite sila to talk, to represent the community. So, I’m really happy for them na nagkaroon sila ng boses,” he said.
For him, the former campers’ accomplishments are a testament that the show fared well.
With less than a week left before the premiere of the Sparks Camp Season 3, Direk Ted is hopeful that with a bigger platform, the show’s message will reach more people.
“I’m very hopeful na mas lalawak pa lalo na ngayon na ipapalabas na kami sa ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel na mas maraming subscribers. Syempre before, nasa Black Sheep lang kami as indie channel, ngayon mas malawak. Syempre mas challenging lang dahil mas maraming competition. Hoping ako na mas maraming makakapanood,” he said.
Who could be potential actors from the present line-up of campers? Direk Ted said all of them are promising, but he named a handful with chances at stardom: Harold, Kim, Ants, Aaron and Julian.
Catch Sparks Camp Season 3 at ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel on July 16, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.