“Patawid: All the Things I Leave You” may seem like another Boys’ Love (BL) story about two young men discovering their feelings for each other. But beneath its tender romance lies a deeper narrative about inheritance, silence, and a kind of love that survives even when it is never openly spoken.

Directed by Jade Castro, the six-episode Ilocano BL series opens in SM cinemas nationwide beginning today, June 17. Its Philippine release follows its run on the international festival circuit, where it introduced audiences to a regional story rooted in memory, identity, and longing.

Set in contemporary Ilocos and across memories dating back to the 1940s, “Patawid” follows Jorge, played by Benedix Ramos, a privileged but aimless young man. Opposite him is Kiko, played by newcomer Justin Paul Basobas, a practical young man hired by Jorge’s grandfather Tino, a retired migrant farm worker.

When Tino suddenly dies, Jorge and Kiko discover a hidden cigar box among his belongings. Inside are unsent letters and old photographs that reveal a secret love story between Tino and his best friend Bong. As the two young men piece together this buried past, they begin to confront their own fears and desires.

For the director, the word “patawid” refers to “pamana” or legacy. It speaks not only of what one generation leaves behind for the next, but also of the emotional inheritance people carry in the form of memory, regret, courage, and love.

At a media conference held at SM Aura in Taguig, Castro said the goal is not necessarily for the project to become a blockbuster, but for the story to reach audiences who may find meaning in it.

“Gusto naming ma-reach ang audience na magbe-benefit from viewing it,” he said. He added that stories like “Patawid” are important because audiences have long been asking for more representation. For producers to continue making these projects, viewers must also show up to support them.

Producer Alemberg Ang of Daluyong Studios described the cinema release as a rare opportunity, especially for a Filipino BL project told in a regional language.

Shot in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, and nearby Laoag City, the project is considered by its creators as a love letter to Ilocos. The cast and creative team spoke about the province’s beauty not only as a location but as a living cultural space where language, tradition, and memory become part of the storytelling.

Benedix, who previously starred in the Pinoy BL series “Better Days,” said “Patawid” marks his most daring screen work so far. He shared that it includes his first on-screen kissing scene with co-star Justin.

“This is my first kissing scene on screen,” Benedix said. While he has done intimate scenes on stage, he noted that doing them for the camera was a different experience.

For Justin, who is making his big-screen debut through the project, the experience was overwhelming at first. A public school teacher from Alaminos City, Pangasinan, he teaches in the special program in the arts with a focus on theater.

He admitted that the intimate scenes initially made him nervous, since it was his first time working on a project of this scale. With acting workshops, guidance from director Jade, and an intimacy coordinator on set, he was eventually able to embrace the role and the story.

Benedix said he and Justin were initially awkward with each other because they were already aware of the emotional and physical demands of the script. Their shared Pangasinan roots helped them connect, with Benedix hailing from Dagupan and Justin from Alaminos.

Benedix also dismissed concerns about being typecast in BL roles. He said every project gives him a chance to show his range, adding that what matters most is giving his best performance and learning from each production.

Director Jade emphasized that BL stories are human stories. While “Patawid” embraces romance and tenderness, it also speaks about family, memory, and the right to celebrate life despite struggle.

With its Ilocano language, provincial setting, and multigenerational love story, “Patawid: All the Things I Leave You” offers Filipino audiences a romance shaped by history and silence. It is a reminder that what is left unsaid can still find a way to be heard, and what is hidden can still become part of the legacy passed on.