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Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star
June 24, 2025 | 12:00am
Emilio Daez, the equally good-looking brother of actor-host Mikael Daez, has taken on his first lead role as Uno, a basketball varsity captain who loses his spot on the team after a violent incident, in the iWantTFC Original series “Love at First Spike.” It marks his first major acting role following his “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” stint.
In the coming-of-age sports romantic dramedy, which highlights second chances, acceptance and identity, Uno joins the school’s only remaining varsity team to save his scholarship. This is the boys’ volleyball team, made up of proud and openly LGBTQIA+ students. “Love At First Spike” is now streaming on iWantTFC.
Emilio shared during the show’s mediacon how supportive his brother is of his foray into showbiz.
“I would always say walang Emilio Daez kung wala pong Mikael Daez. So, I owe a lot to him. He’s been my guiding light, always there behind me. He’s one of my biggest supporters. I love him very much,” he said.
The newbie actor with his ‘Love at First Spike’ co-stars Sean Tristan, Reign Parani and director Ivan Andrew Payawal.
Emilio added that he wants to excel at what he does for his family.
“Especially for my brod because andami din niyang pinaghirapan sa channel niya, andami niyang ginanap na projects and I know the dedication that he puts into it, so it would be a disservice if I didn’t do the same,” he continued.
The newbie thespian further told The STAR that the advice that he got from Mikael when it comes to his showbiz career is to “love the press because they are your friends.”
Asked about his initial reaction when he secured the role of Uno in “Love at First Spike,” which also includes a boys’ love theme, he said, “For me naman, it’s not a problem because I’m an actor and I am really open to act in any project as long as it is given to me ‘cuz I’m new to this industry… no hesitation. I’m an actor and I will do my best, always.”
He was also inquired if he’s willing to do a kissing scene with another boy actor if he’s offered such a role in the future, he simply answered, “I’m very new to this industry so every opportunity is a blessing for me. I don’t know what the future holds, that’s management’s decision. But I am an actor and that’s what I will do.”
Acting alongside Emilio in “Love at First Spike” are “Beach Bros” lead and Internet personality Sean Tristan and “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Otso” ex-housemate Reign Parani.
With Bb. Pilipinas 2023 second runner-up, Reign, who plays the captain of the girls’ volleyball team and harbors a secret crush on Uno, Emilio’s character in the series.
As for the story plot, things get complicated when Uno crosses paths with Jared (Tristan), his former childhood best friend, whose coming out years ago drifted them apart. The two must now navigate their unresolved past and work together again to save what may be their last shot at redemption.
There is also Farrah (Reign), Jared’s cousin and the captain of the girls’ volleyball team. She quietly supports Uno and the team while hiding her longtime crush on him. Their journey creates a mix of friendship, teamwork and romantic tension, set against the high-stakes backdrop of high school sports.
The eight-episode series is directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal and also stars “PBB Collab Edition” housemate River Joseph, “PBB Gen 11” ex-housemates Dylan Yturalde, Rain Celmar, Binsoy Namoca and Lance Reblando, “PBB Connect” ex-housemate Andi Abaya, “PBB Otso” alum Sky Quizon, to name a few.
The show is something personal to direk Ivan as it serves as his tribute to his 12-year-old self who was a volleyball enthusiast.
The cast and creatives behind the iWantTFC Original series grace the grand media conference and special screening at the Gateway Mall Cineplex 18.
Photos from ABS-CBN Star Magic and Emilio Daez’s official Facebook page
“And then lately, nag-start nang mag-roll ball yung effect nung volleyball na sport. During my time, hindi pa siya masyadong pinapansin (it wasn’t given much attention) and it was mostly like an escape or refuge for queer children or kids like me when I was growing up. When everybody was kind of alienating the queer kids, volleyball yung puntahan talaga nila (volleyball is their go-to sport). This is the reason why I chose volleyball as the sport for the series.”
Meanwhile, Bb. Pilipinas 2023 second runner-up, Reign, announced that she plans to continue pursuing her pageant dream.
“As I grow older, I realize there’s so much more intention to everything that you do. So, I’m prepping, planning and doing everything I can to join pageants with a purpose and join organizations that I trust,” she said.
“Before that, I’d love to act. It was my first love in the industry, before anything else. This was what I wanted to do. So, I’m glad that I’m back. I’m glad that I had an opportunity to be back. And yes, sasali pa tayo ulit (we’re joining a pageant again) and hopefully, I could represent the Philippines in the future. Soon.”
