Arzen Rose Dulzura

Reign Parani, Sky Quizon, cast hopes ‘Love At First Spike’ brings comfort and safe space to viewers: ‘I hope you too have found a home in us and in our stories’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Following the finale of <em>Love At First Spike</em>, cast members Reign Parani, Sky Quizon, Bong Gonzales, Dylan Yturralde, and Andi Abaya reflected on their journey in the inclusive and youth-driven iWant digi-series.</p><p>On her social media page, Reign shared that the show was her “finally” moment, as playing Farrah marked her first lead role.</p><p>“This whole journey, I’ve hungrily sought wisdom and experience to make my craft as intentional as it has ever been — intentions of giving my best work yet, internalizing an instructive mindset, feeling scenes wholeheartedly, endless constructive learning, and imperfect yet continuous acceptance: for myself, and for you,” Reign expressed.</p><iframe class="instagram-media" id="instagram-embed-58" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNihPOxyx0C/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A58%2C%22os%22%3A29891085.19999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="0" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-58" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px;min-width:326px;padding:0px;position:absolute"></iframe><blockquote class=" instagram-media-registered" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNihPOxyx0C/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" id="instagram-media-payload-58" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNihPOxyx0C/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNihPOxyx0C/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Reign Parani (@iamreignp)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p><strong></strong>She added that she hoped viewers felt the love that the show embodied.</p><p>“When you watch our show, sana maisip at maramdaman mo na puno ng pagmamahal. ‘Yung love na nakakahawa, ‘yung love na gusto mong angkinin at ibigay ng lubusan sa iba, ‘yung tipong naiipon, ‘yung love na tumatagal. Because when you feel that love as days go by, it transforms you, it nourishes you, and it renews you for good… Like it did for me,” she said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-56" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM4xiTjV7TE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A56%2C%22os%22%3A29872306.299999714%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-56" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Reign also dedicated her message to the LGBTQIA+ community and expressed gratitude to the production team for giving her a “newfound family.”</p><p>“To those under the non-binary umbrella, those TRANSforming, those becoming and figuring it all out, those who knew who they were from the start, and to everyone reading this — no stereotype, no oppressive act, no bullying, no judgment, no exclusiveness can get in the way: LAFS is for Ü. Mahal ka namin,” she added.</p><p>For Sky Quizon, who played Lucien, saying goodbye to the series was not easy. </p><p>“It’s been more than a week since <em>Love At First Spike</em>’s season finale, yet I still can’t seem to find the answer to this question. But, I find comfort in the fact that this beautiful and magical experience happened to me while being surrounded by amazing talented people filled with passion and hunger for more. And for that, I am beyond thankful to have been part of a show — a family — that shared the same goal of touching people’s minds and hearts,” he stated.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-54" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNkyMzByMvI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A54%2C%22os%22%3A29852681.299999714%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="821" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-54" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Sky also thanked director Ivan Payawal for guiding him in portraying a character far from his real self. </p><p>“Direk @ivanpayawal, I am eternally grateful to and for you. You have challenged me to dive deeper and go further into the unknown. Lucien is totally out of my wheelhouse. He is so far from who I am; hence, making him come to life was not a walk in the park,” he said. “But, you have pushed and helped me build Lucien from ground up.&quot;</p><p>Sky continued, “I was able to represent real people who do not just talk and act the way he does, but who have lived and been living with the same struggles and burdens he is faced with.”</p><p>Sky admitted that letting go of Lucien was difficult after living his life for months, and how playing his character left an indelible mark in him. “I guess we are all Luciens, in one way or another. We all have this feeling of distraught and longingness — wanting to find happiness and love. And this is making me realize that I am no different from Lucien. Deep down, I also just want to be happy, seen, and loved.” </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-52" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLeb4CYJScf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A52%2C%22os%22%3A29829659.799999714%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-52" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Meanwhile, Bong Gonzales shared how his character Hans spoke for people who lost their “voice” because of painful experiences.</p><p>“Si Hans Mendejar po ay para sa mga Kekisaur na pakiramdam nila ay nawalan sila ng boses dahil sa mga masamang karanasan nila noon. Si Hans ay isang Kekisaur na naghahanap ng mga taong tatanggap sa kanya. Hans wants to fit in and tries to find a place where he truly belongs. Nagpatuloy siya sa buhay niya hanggang sa nakahanap na siya ng bagong pamilya. Dahil dito, he finally found the confidence. He found love. He got his voice back,” he shared.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-50" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNHt3laSnFy/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A50%2C%22os%22%3A29811273.099999905%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-50" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“Here’s to finding our voices again. Don’t let anyone hinder you from what you truly believe in, what you choose to express, and what you want to say — as long as wala tayong tinatapakang tao,” he added. </p><p>On the other hand, Dylan Yturralde, who played Ethan, admitted he was initially scared to take on the role but eventually grew into it.</p><p>“#LoveAtFirstSpike Thank you for giving me and this show a chance. No words can explain what I’m feeling right now. I just know that we’ve worked our hearts out just to give justice to this story,” Dylan wrote.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-48" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNICsX2yW_h/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A48%2C%22os%22%3A29791232.299999714%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="888" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-48" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“When I got the role of Ethan, it really scared me. Tinanong ko sarili ko, kaya mo ba Dy? But along the way unti unti ko ng na-navigate si Ethan Villanueva. Direk @ivanpayawal played a huge part in connecting Dylan &amp; Ethan. Direk, maraming salamat. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for choosing me. Grabe ang journey natin direk and I know hindi ito ang last project natin together,” he added.</p><p>He also thanked his fellow actors and the people behind the series for trusting him on his first acting project after <em>Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11</em>.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-46" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLjJ_fwvvxY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A46%2C%22os%22%3A29772305.099999905%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-46" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Andi Abaya also thanked the team and the fans who embraced the series.</p><p>“Thank you for welcoming every character &amp; for allowing this story to offer a warm hug to those who needed it. Celebrating the success of this show with all of you 💫,” she wrote.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-44" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNIbQCpyfxl/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A44%2C%22os%22%3A29755632.39999962%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="861" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-44" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/8/9/emilio-daez-river-joseph-jude-hinumdum-lance-reblando-bid-farewell-as-love-at-first-spike-ends-1219"><strong><u>READ: Emilio Daez, River Joseph, Jude Hinumdum, Lance Reblando bid farewell as ‘Love at First Spike’ ends</u></strong></a></div><p>All eight episodes of <em>Love At First Spike </em>are available to stream exclusively on iWant. The series also stars Emilio Daez, River Joseph, Sean Tristan, Jude Hinumdum, Lance Reblando, Rain Celmar, and Binsoy Namoca, with seasoned actors Adrian Alandy, Meryll Soriano, Gio Alvarez, and Alwyn Uytingco in supporting roles.</p>

<p><b>‘Love At First Spike’ brought relatable and comforting experiences not just to viewers but also cast members.</b></p>

‘Love At First Spike’ brought relatable and comforting experiences not just to viewers but also cast members.