It had a modest run during the first Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino back in 2017. But what made ‘Bar Boys’ a hit is when writer and director Kip Oebanda made their film available to the public for free via YouTube.
The full movie currently has 17 million views since it was uploaded on March 17, 2020. It was the production’s way of easing the boredom of people who were stuck at home or quarantined during the first announcement of COVID-19.
But what transcended to the audience is how the film reflected our hard work, our failures, our little and big wins, but most of all, the friendships we built through our successes and struggles in life.
During the media conference, director Kip shared the journey of ‘Bar Boys’ in 2015 to ‘Bar Boys: After School’:
“Sa totoo lang, napaka-weird na experience na ito for me as a filmmaker. In 2015, I wrote the ‘Bar Boys’ script in 17 hours. Rushing for a film festival na sinend ko kay Kaloy (Carlo Aquino) around that time din. Hindi ko in-expect na ang daming mararating ng pelikula. It has 17.7 million views on YouTube, with 16,000 comments, and karamihan dun sa mga comments na ‘yun saying na babalik sila kapag lawyer na sila, babalik sila kapag doctor na or criminology graduate na sila. There’s even a comment saying na babalik siya kapag cancer survivor na siya. It inspired generations of people to keep going kahit na napakahirap ng pagiging Pilipino, ng pagiging adult at pagiging estudyante sa bansang ito. Nagkaroon ng musical na tatlong season nag-run at nag-sold out for almost all of their shows. And now we’re at the sequel and I’m just so thankful to everyone who helped us make the first film and now helping us make the second film. And I’m very fortunate to be reunited with old friends. There are people who come into your life for a season, and there are those that last a lifetime. As you grow older, parang mas hinahanap mo ‘yung mga taong can help you grow and can help you be a better person. And that’s why sinulat namin itong pelikulang ito with my two closest friends in the industry, director Carlo Catu and director Zig Dulay.”
“Sinulat namin siya as a tribute to the people who, kasi when you’re young, ang hinahanap mong mga kaibigan ‘yung masasaya, ‘yung mga chill lang. Hahanapin mo pa din siya later in life pero as grow and wisdom, you look for more people who help you grow and help you become wiser. And I’m so happy nung nag-reunite din kami (original Bar Boys cast), as friends, may ganung pakiramdam,” director Kip continues.
Watch the trailer of ‘Bar Boys: After School’ below:
When asked if did they ever thought of being a lawyer, director Kip Oebanda shaares, “Marami akong kaibigan na lawyers. And in fact, sila ang inspirasyon ng ‘Bar Boys.’ Nakikita ko kung gaano sila ka-walang oras para sa mga bagay-bagay, ayokong gawin ‘yun. Hindi ko siya kaya at saka opinionated akong masyadong tao, eh, a lot of practice of the law is just interpretation of the text and ‘yun nga, ang sabi ko sa first film, I don’t care about your opinions, eh, I’m very opinionated. Baka hindi ko kaya, baka bumagsak ako.”
Given the film’s serious topics, how will ‘Bar Boys: After School’ still be entertaining, especially during the Christmas season?
“Nakita ninyo naman ang trailer namin, ang daming kinilig kanila Klang at kay Kean. Actually, number one, you don’t need to watch the first film kasi this is a standalone film. So, in the first 30 seconds of the film, sinummarize ko na din. Ganun kabilis. Law students kami dati, hindi pumasa si Josh, si Chris nag-abroad, umuwi ngayon. ‘Yun lang. That’s all you need to know and the film is standalone. It’s entertaining because it’s very funny. If you remember, sobrang dami naming scenes nung first film that got people so hooked and entertained. For example, si Torran, may tarpaulin siya, may backup ‘yung pamilya niya na parang good luck next time. Meron kaming ganun, may tarpaulin scene. And ang nagpapasaya sa pelikula, hindi ‘yung topic. Ang nagpapasaya sa pelikula, characters. And if you recall, si Torran is a hilarious character, si Carlo and ‘yung dynamics ng barkada is what makes the film entertaining. I’m not going to make a film na nagbabasa lang sila for hours, sino manonood nun? Sana nag-documentary na lang ako on the practice of law, kung ganun. I really try to make my films entertaining and inclusive with humor, with heart. Pero warning na lang siguro, magdala kayo ng maraming tissue.”
Ten years after law school, four friends—Torran, Erik, Chris, and Josh—reunite as they face the realities of adulthood, careers, and personal struggles. Torran is a corporate lawyer turned professor, Erik is a public interest attorney fighting for labor rights, Chris is a high-powered lawyer dealing with a broken marriage, and Josh is a former actor trying to reinvent himself. Their lives intertwine with a new generation of law students, including Trisha, a fierce transwoman valedictorian; CJ, an environmental advocate from an indigenous community; Arvin, a working student struggling with poverty; and Jonas, Trisha’s supportive brother.
The film stars Carlo Aquino, Will Ashley, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, Odette Khan, Therese Malvar, Sassa Girl, Emilio Daez, Benedix Ramos and Klarisse de Guzman.
‘Bar Boys: After School’ opens in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2025 from 901 Studios PH.