Regal Entertainment’s BL series Ben X Jim pairs up lead stars Teejay Marquez and Jerome Ponce for the very first time. The two actors admitted that they don’t fear being typecast in roles that represent the LGBTQ+ community because the universal message of their film is love.

“Ang message nitong series namin, as simple as wala namang pinipiling love ang isang tao at saka walang tama at mali para sa isang tao, mamimili ka lang talaga. Dito makikita niyo long last na love, looking for love, merong upcoming na love pala. So yun yung tingin ko na message nitong series na ginawa namin,” Jerome shared during the Ben X Jim online media conference held last October 13.

Teejay, who plays the role of Ben who is waiting for the return of his childhood crush Jim (Jerome) in the film, said their project shows the universality of human emotion, regardless of gender.

I think the message of the BL series Ben X Jim is actually showing the people that the same-sex relationship and opposite-sex relationship are kind of the same in terms of love. And love is for everybody. Doing this show made me realize that we are born equally and we are all here to love everybody,” he added.

Jerome said he is not new to playing a gay character onscreen and is not fazed by the thought of being stereotyped because of his latest roles.

“Wala pa kasi sa iniisip ko yun. As much as possible, lalo na ngayon, ang nasa isip ko lang honestly, is work. Pangalawa is kahit saan naman ako mapunta, gugustuhin ko magtrabaho as long as I can entertain, I can touch someone’s heart. Kung sabihin na ma-typecast man ako dito at gagawa pa ako ng more projects sa (genre) na ito, why not? Kung dun ako mas nakakapagpasaya ng mga tao, nakakapag-entertain, ganyan,” he explained.

In his first full-length portrayal of a gay character onscreen, Teejay said there is nothing wrong with being typecast. “Ito kasi yung first na pinaka-full-length na character ko as a BL actor. Nakagawa na ako sa isang pelikula pero saglit lang. Pero ito kasi full-length. Pero kasi kung ma-typecast naman ako, for me I will take it as a compliment. Kasi ibig sabihin effective ako as an actor. Kung nag-e-enjoy yung tao sa akin at gusto pa nila ako gumawa ng gumawa ng ganito because na-e-enjoy nila, why not? Kasi for me, ibig sabihin natutuwa sila may ginagawa akong tama. Kaya walang problema sa akin ma-typecast,” he added.

Ben X Jim is directed by Easy Ferrer and presented by Regal Entertainment, Inc. It premieres online starting October 15, Friday on the Regal Entertainment Channel on YouTube.