From the team that made "Ang Lalake sa Parola" and "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" (still the top two highest-grossing digital gay-themed movies) comes yet another powerfully woven tale of discovery and awakening– "Kambyo," a story of four men who embark on a road trip not knowing that it will change them forever.

This latest collaboration between Digital Viva and the production house BeyondtheBox traces the lives of four boys: cousins Macky (Rayan Dulay, who made a splash in "Bathhouse") and Manuel (played by Kenjie Garcia, who played the titular character in "Ang Lihim ni Antonio"), their fun-loving friend Xavier (Harold Macasero) and his friend Aldo (Gabz del Rosario).

One day, Macky decides to hit the open road to look for his old friend Philip (Johnron Tanada) and takes his cousin with him. He and Manuel invite their friend Xavier to join them, who agrees on the condition that his hunky friend Aldo–who he met just before they set off in search of Philip–be allowed to come along as well.

As the engine of Macky’s old van accelerates, so do their relationships with each other. To make a long story short, things between the four travelling companions heat up, allowing hidden desires and pent-up emotions to find release.

The film will be screened on July 5 at the UP Film Center in UP Diliman, with a regular screening on July 9 at Robinsons Galleria.

But while "Kambyo" touches on some of the issues raised in "Ang Lalake sa Parola" and "Ang Lihim ni Antonio," Jay Altarejos, the man who directed all three movies, averred that "Kambyo" is done in a different tone compared to its predecessors.

"Actually light drama lang ito," he said. "Happy pa nga ang ending." But when pressed to elaborate on the happy ending, he refused. Instead, he rhapsodized about the film’s love scenes.

"This much I will say– of the three movies, ito ang may pinakamagandang love scene. Not because marami siyang nudity, but because it’s different compared to the ones in ‘Ang Lalaki sa Parola’ and ’Ang Lihim ni Antonio.’ Sa ‘Parola’ kasi, isa lang ang willing participant. Yung isa was just beginning to explore his sexuality. So hindi pa talaga all-out. Sa ‘Antonio’ naman, the theme was abuse. Kaya iba rin ang feel ng love scenes doon. But in ’Kambyo,’ you have two willing participants who are in love and who go all-out in their love scenes. Kaya iba talaga ito dun sa dalawang nauna kong pelikula."

That’s partly why he titled the film "Kambyo"– because aside from the fact that it is about four guys on a road trip, the movie represents a thematic shifting of gears for him, from the theme of exploration in "Parola" to the darker tones of abuse in "Antonio."

"Kambyo" is lighter and happier overall. Helping to give it that feel were the actors. "They’re newcomers, but they’re really good and willing to do kung ano ‘yung kailangan sa eksena basta mapaliwanagan sila," said Direk Jay.