‘PBB’ alum Rave Victoria takes on BL role in ‘Coach Me Maybe’

Former “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) housemate Rave Victoria is set to star alongside Lance Jeremy in “Coach Me Maybe,” ABS-CBN Studios’ first-ever vertical Boys’ Love (BL) series, as announced by iWant on Thursday.

“They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer.. but maybe not this close,” iWant teased in a social media post alongside photos of the lead stars and other cast members.

Joining Rave, 19, and Lance are veteran actors Christian Vasquez and Valerie Concepcion, along with Rhianna Santiago, Ian Lubrica, and fellow PBB alums Josh Worsley, Inigo Jose, and Kanata Tapia.

The series will be directed by Theodore Boborol, who also helmed other iWant microdramas, including “The Chambermaid's Daughter,” starring Alexa Ilacad and BGYO's Gelo Rivera, and “Ghosting,” starring Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra.

Vertical series, also known as microdramas, have been gaining popularity in the entertainment industry, featuring short-form stories designed for mobile viewing. Romance and drama are among the genres commonly explored in these productions.

For Rave, "Coach Me Maybe" marks his second acting project. He previously appeared in an episode of Barangay LS 97.1 FM's "Barangay Love Stories," which was adapted for TV and aired on September 26.

In “Coach Me Maybe,” Rave will explore the BL genre, which centers on romantic or emotional relationships between male characters. Like other romance projects, the series will bring its lead actors together in a story that explores their characters' relationship and on-screen chemistry.

BL and Girls' Love (GL) films and series have become increasingly visible in the entertainment industry over the years. The BL genre originated in Japan in the early 1970s, according to reports.

Meanwhile, fans, particularly Rave's supporters, have expressed excitement about his upcoming series on social media.

“Congratulations and good luck to our brave Rave Victoria. More projects to come,” one fan commented. Another fan shared their excitement, saying, “Excited na akooo as bl lover aabangan ko talaga to.”