Classic sitcoms are like comfort food for the soul; they offer more than just laughter, providing a sense of family and friendship that viewers look for. For director Niokz Arcega and D8TV, there is no better way to honor that legacy than by reviving the genre’s heart. Through the lens of Roomies and Boarding Haus, Arcega captures the quirks of modern communal living, proving that while times may have changed, the humor in everyday living remains a universal language.
What inspired them to create Roomies and Boarding Haus?
“During the pandemic, nakakulong tayong lahat, diba? So, nanood ako ng mga sitcoms like FRIENDS, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, tapos nabigyan kami ng opportunity nung medyo natatapos na ‘yung pandemic. Nagkaroon kami ng acting workshop. So, nung workshop na ‘yun, napagdesisyunan namin na, parang naging weekly basis siya dahil nga hindi kami makalabas, then sabi ko, bakit hindi natin i-video, kunan natin kung anong ginagawa nating acting. Tapos nung nagkakaroon na din siya ng flow, sabi ko, bakit hindi natin i-upload? Bakit hindi natin seryosohin? At least hindi ‘yung mga actors ang nahahasa, nahahasa din ‘yung camera team, ‘yung writers, lalo na ‘yung sa post production, and even me as a director, kung paano ang timing for comedy, kung paano ang ginagawa talaga sa television. And I’m very happy na ngayon na this time, totoong may bahay na kami. So, palakpakan natin ang D8TV,” shares director Niokz Arcega.
Roomies stars Benedict Sta. Ana, Trixie Malang, Jayvee Villaraza, Charles Temones, Mara Quevedo, Khiester Bernardino, Nick Laminoza, Rismon Delsocorro, Jack Daniel Burgos and Sheldon Cruz. It is a story of real friendship—where no barkada is perfect, but everyone is willing to support each other through thick and thin.
Boarding Haus adds new characters played by Alden Co, Trisha Malvar and Jasmine Mendoza. This new series brings a bigger setting, wilder characters, and even more hilarious situations inside a boarding house where more tenants mean more personalities—and more chaos.
With new actors starring in both shows, how is the dynamics of the cast?
“Mahilig ako makipag-work with new actors. Una sa lahat, siyempre madaling balansehin kasi blanko pa, blank slate pa, ikaw pa ‘yung magfi-feed kung ano ang kailangan nilang matutunan. I’m also a doctor of media and communication, so nagtuturo din tayo ng acting, nagtuturo tayo ng film, so lahat sila, sabi ko sa kanila, aralin nilang lahat. Para at least, may alam kayo sa film at may respeto kayo sa lahat ng mga kasama natin from the utility, to the set designer, to the PD. Mas madaling makipag-work sa kanila because mga bago silang mga actor. Ang challenge is mga bago silang actor, wala pa sila gaanong experience, kailangan mo talaga silang dibdibin minsan, tsaka may mga sakit sa ulo din talaga. Pero another mahirap kasi, kahit gaano kasakit ang ulo ko sa kanila, hindi ko sila pwedeng suwayin. ‘Yun ang rule ko sa set. Hindi ako pwedeng magalit, hindi ako pwedeng mag-bad words, kasi mawawala ang comedy. Kapag nagalit na ako sa kanila, bad mood na, hindi na sila makakapagpatawa. So, pinapagalitan ko sila after taping,” answers director Niokz.
Other than being sitcoms, what do Roomies and Boarding Haus tell their audience?
“We tend not to juggle around politics, ang gusto namin ay moral values talaga. May episode about fake accounts. May girl friend si Charles, si Joy Joy, episode one pa lang inaabangan niya na, tapos nalaman niya na na-catfish pala,” director Niokz shares.
Roomies and Boarding Haus are now streaming on D8TV with new episodes every Sunday at 7 PM.
For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive clips, follow the official pages of D8TV and NKO Films.
Watch our full video coverage of the media conference below: