Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Featuring a cast of fresh faces, the new series ‘Love at First Spike’ navigates the game of love, life, and friendship on and off the volleyball court
MANILA, Philippines – In a cultural landscape still tiptoeing around queer identity, Love at First Spike brings the realities of gender exploration to the fore.
The newest coming-of-age sports romcom from iWantTFC starring Emilio Daez, Reign Parani, and Sean Tristan premieres on June 20.
An ode to becoming and belonging, the eight-part series follows the life of Uno Santillan (Daez) as he navigates the game of love, life, friendship, and volleyball.
“It doesn’t just put queerness as a punchline or a side story,” said Tristan, who plays Jared Aragon, the loud and proud queer team captain of the Brixton boys’ volleyball team.
“The show aims to serve a dash of inclusive storytelling — setting the tempo for teenage LGBTQ+ narratives, and spiking the stigma and stereotypes.”
Also in the cast are several fresh faces, including PBB Gen 11 alums Rain Celmar, Dylan Yturralde, and Binsoy Namoca, PBB Celebrity Collab housemate River Joseph, PBB: Otso ex-housemate Sky Quizon, and more rising Kapamilya stars.
“The show is an ode to my younger self,” said director Ivan Andrew Payawal.
It is a tribute, he said, to the quiet courage of growing up queer in a world that demands conformity to societal norms and expectations.
Daez, getting his first break as a lead actor, said being part of the series was an “enlightening experience” as the story touches on acceptance and finding one’s place — within the team and within oneself.
“Stepping into the shoes of Uno is a gift,” he said.
Parani, also in her first lead role, plays a true ally in the form of Farrah Salcedo. Reflecting on her own experience both in pageant and showbiz, she hopes the LGBTQ+ community finds the series “as a comfort.”
“I’ve been in the beauty pageant industry where all of them (LGBTQ+ members) are there to give colors to whatever we do in our job, and I just want to give this to them,” said Parani.
Lance Reblando, who plays the role of transwoman volleyball player Diamond Hernandez, likewise noted how the series champions allies.
“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, we were conditioned that it’s us who should find a way to move and push the narrative and advocacy forward,” Reblando said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“But the importance of being an ally is tackled here. Like if you’re a member of the queer community, you get to choose your own family, not by blood; and there will be people who will accept you, in the same way that I was accepted. You will see how it translates on screen.” – Rappler.com
Blaise Rellata is a Rappler intern from Mapua University.
