The Boy Foretold by the Stars is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about an openly and proudly gay teen in search of his first love. Dominic (Adrian Lindayag) is not the most popular kid in school, but he’s well-liked, well-adjusted, and has a great group of gay friends. One of those friends, Timmy (John Leinard Ramos), drags him to meet with celebrity psychic Baby R, who predicts that Dominic will meet his soulmate in just one week.

The timing of this psychic prediction is especially interesting for Dominic, because “Journey to Jesus” is also just one week away. “Journey to Jesus” is a religious rite of passage retreat hosted by his Catholic high school and Dominic also happens to be one of the organizers. Dominic is randomly assigned to counsel his dreamy classmate Luke (Keann Johnson) during retreat’s blindfolded, candlelit trust walk and the sparks begin to fly. Could this be it? Is Luke the boy foretold by the stars? 

The Boy Foretold by the Stars is remarkable on several levels. Not only is it a story about openly and happily gay teenagers, but the actors who play those roles (including both Lindayag & Ramos) are openly gay as well. That’s a rarity anywhere in the world, but especially so in a conservative nation like the Philippines. It also offers a refreshingly positive take on religious influences on gay characters. True to life, not every Catholic character in the film is accepting of Dominic and his gay friends, but most of them are. Even the priest who advises them on “Journey to Jesus” is unwaveringly supportive and counsels the other students to be as well. It’s these elements combined with lovable characters and a sweet story that will make you fall in love with The Boy Foretold by the Stars. 

~ Steve Weisenreder