We were watching the first episode of Netflix’s new teen comedy series “Sex Education” when we spotted an unexpected familiar figure: the Baguio barrel man.
The popular Filipino souvenir originally made by Ifugao woodcarvers can be seen almost 19 minutes into the show.
In the episode, socially awkward Otis Milburn (played by Asa Butterfield), who lives with his sex therapist mother Jean (played by Gillian Anderson), is paired with bad boy Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) for a school project.
(READ: From Scully to sex therapist)
Connor wants to go to Otis’ house after school to work on it but, there’s a problem. To quote Otis’ best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa): “Dude, your mom has a lot of weird sex sh*t in the house. I’m cool with it, obviously. But if that guy even sees a Kama Sutra, he will destroy your life.”
So Otis does what any teenager who wants to hold on to his reputation would do: he rushes home to hide all the weird sex stuff.
He conceals a copy of the Kama Sutra, takes down erotic Chinese art, stashes a suggestive-looking cactus, grabs a variety of phallic symbols and yes, to our amusement, covers the Baguio barrel man with his barrel.
Watch the clip:
We shared our excitement over the Baguio barrel man’s cameo with “Sex Education” writer and creator Laurie Nunn and director Ben Taylor. “It’s a Filipino thing,” we said.
“Oh! Amazing!” Laurie said, her eyes lighting up.
Ben laughed. “No way! Everybody’s obsessed with it. Oh my god.”
Ben went on to share that the show’s art team spent three months buying erotica from around the world. “I was receiving all these things, I had no idea it was from the Philippines.”
“There’s also a version with boobs now,” we tell them.
Sadly, Otis’ efforts were for naught. Adam wanders into Jean’s office and finds a treasure trove of porn, sex toys and more.
“New kid! You’ve got a sex dungeon,” Adam tells a horrified Otis.
But that’s not the Baguio barrel man’s fault.
“Sex Education” begins streaming on Netflix on January 11.
