Sparks Camp
| Sparks Camp | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Black Sheep Productions |
| Written by | Patrick Valencia Daniel Saniana |
| Directed by | Theodore Boborol |
| Presented by | Mela Habijan |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 27 |
| Production | |
| Production company | Black Sheep Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube |
| Release | May 24, 2023 – September 17, 2025 |
Sparks Camp is a Philippine dating reality television series for queer men that premiered on Black Sheep's YouTube channel on May 24, 2023. The third season was made available on ABS-CBN Entertainment's channel in 2025.
Production
[edit]Sparks Camp was produced under Black Sheep Productions, a subsidiary under ABS-CBN Films.[1][2] Creative Head Hyro Aguinaldo and Director Theodore Boborol reportedly faced may difficulties in getting the concept for Sparks Camp an LGBTQ dating show approved.[3] The good reception of the boy's love web series Hello Stranger was cited as the reason for the conceptualization of Sparks Camp.[4]
For season one, the show was filmed nearby the lake of Laguna; for season two it was in a beach in Pangasinan. For season three it was filmed in a mountainside setting.[5]
Participants and host
[edit]Sparks Camp is open to male queer participants throughout its three seasons including homosexual, bisexual, and pansexual men who are refer to in-show as campers. Each season at least had ten campers.[2][6][7][8] Each participants take part in various various challenges or games with the winner able to earn a chance to earn date a fellow camper. There is no elimination or overall winners as all campers in each season remain in throughout the run.[4]
The dating show is facilitated by Mela Habijan, a trans woman who takes on the persona of "Mother Sparker", a maternal figure to the campers.[9] She has been the host in all three seasons.[10]
Music
[edit]"Sa’Yo Ang Mundo" by the five-person troupe Nameless Kids was selected as Sparks Camp's original sound track in 2023.[11] On the third season, a new theme song was introduced through "Nahuhulog" which was performed by Chie from The Voice Teens.[10]
Release
[edit]There has been three seasons of Sparks Camp. The first two season has been released in Black Sheep's YouTube channel. While season three has been released in the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel.[10] The first ever episode was released on May 24, 2025.[4]
Reception
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ContentAsia Awards | Best Original Reality and/or Competition Programme | Sparks Camp | Nominated | [12] |
References
[edit]- ^ Arnaldo, Steph (May 19, 2023). "WATCH: Black Sheep teases first BL dating reality show in PH, 'Sparks Camp'". Rappler. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ a b San Juan, Ratziel (May 19, 2023). "Watch: 'Sparks Camp' teases first 'BL dating' reality show in Philippines". Philstar Life. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Medina, Joel (September 15, 2025). "Get swept away by 'Sparks Camp,' the Philippines' first gay dating show". Washington Blade. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c Manhit, Ann (May 28, 2025). "What to expect in 'Sparks Camp,' the country's first queer dating show". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Villanueva, Angelica (July 18, 2025). "Reality dating show tackles queer visibility". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the 10 queer Filipino cuties looking for love in 'Sparks Camp' season 2". Out Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the 2 hotties 'Sparks Camp' just added to the season 2 cast". Out Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "10 Campers head to the mountains in dating show". The Philippine Star. July 10, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Dela Cruz, Liezel (September 6, 2025). "Mela Habijan on her favorite and most challenging parts of hosting "Sparks Camp"". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c Iglesias, Iza (July 15, 2025). "'Sparks Camp' Season 3 takes queer love to the mountains with 10 new campers". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Manhit, Ann (May 29, 2023). "Nameless Kids' single is OST of 'Sparks Camp'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "ABS-CBN bags 6 nominations at 2024 ContentAsia Awards". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. July 28, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Sparks Camp Full Episodes (Seasons 1 and 2) at Black Sheep Productions' YouTube channel
- Sparks Camp Season 3 at ABS-CBN Entertainment' YouTube channel