Fresh faces, new pairings and real-life stories in Love Bites Season 2

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh, exciting and fun. That’s how the stars and the entire RCD Narratives team describe the second season of Love Bites, which starts streaming on April 28 via ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel.

Just like in the first season, the digital anthology series presents real-life stories in bite-sized format. More than 15 Kapamilya rising stars portray real-life people, whose love stories tell about hope, despair, healing and new beginnings.

During the virtual media conference, former iDolls member Enzo Almario expressed his elation for being chosen by director Raz dela Torre to play lead, opposite Jay Gonzaga in the episode Boy Meets Man.

“I’m so thankful and at the same time I really felt nervous when we had our first shooting day. Acting is new to me, that’s why I was really scared but it turned out to be so fun, very light. I was able to relate to my character kaya sabi ko kay direk parang hindi naman ako mag-a-adjust,” enthused Enzo, whose music career began after his stint in Idol Philippines.

Direk Raz, on the other hand, revealed that aside from Enzo, a number of actors were considered for the role “because we wanted (the actor) to match the energy of the character and we were also looking for someone we haven’t seen (do acting) yet para at least fresh because even the nature of Love Bites, it’s a series na parang anthology-ish in short form. So, the approach is fresh.”

“It’s also on YouTube, it’s shareable and that’s similar to what we wanted: fresh at hindi masyado nakikita sa palabas. So, that’s why we thought of Enzo. He was really good,” he added.

Singer-songwriter Angela Ken may not be new in the acting scene with Lyric and Beat as her acting debut yet she stressed it’s her first time to work outside of her comfort zone in Boy Next Door as the leading lady of LA Santos.

“My role here doesn’t have anything to do with performing or singing, ibang-iba. Like what Enzo said, I also felt relaxed. Everyone was so chill probably because we all felt the trust of our director and the whole production team to show what we can do na kahit fresh pa lang po ang gaya ko sa ganitong experience, hindi nila pinaramdam sa amin na baguhan kami,” said Angela.

Love Bites 2 also introduces new pairings that audiences would perhaps not expect to have undeniable onscreen chemistry. Kaila Estrada and Joao Constancia are featured in Closure. Anji Salvacion is paired up with Elyson de Dios in Wedding Booth.

Aya Fernandez and Iana Bernardez show their acting talents in Stand in Love, while Mary Joy Apostol and Jomari Angeles topbill Honest Love. Another must-watch episode is Summer Camp starring Daniela Stranner and Batit Espiritu.

“It’s a different energy with Love Bites and it’s a different kilig. Expect lots of happy moments (in Closure) and I guess, they (viewers) will see a different side of me through my character. So, I’m very excited for everyone to see the episode. I’m sure maraming makaka-relate,” beamed Kaila.

Meanwhile, Kim Rodriguez and Ian Pangilinan shared lessons that viewers can learn from Wedding Dress, the first to stream among the eight episodes.

Kim plays Kath, a single woman who impulsively buys a wedding dress and shortly after her purchase, she meets Eman (Ian), a pastor in her community.

Viewers have to find out if the wedding dress is a sign for her to make a leap of faith in love or just a mindless purchase.

“I share similarity with my character who is very optimistic in life and I think it’s important to live life full of hope because in life, there is no Take 2 kaya mas piliin natin na maging masaya talaga,” said Kim.

Ian concurred that fear hinders people from trying out new things. He said, “Even if you have so many doubts, you must have the courage to jump into new (experiences). Gaya ng sabi ni Kim, life is short and there’s no Take 2. You will have regrets at the end of the day, if you’re afraid to try. At magiging proud tayo sa sarili natin kung maganda ang kinalabasan kahit marami tayong fears.”

Stories in Love Bites are expected to not only inspire viewers but also make them feel giddy. Writer Arah Jell Badayos said the stories came from letter-senders of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) and Love Bites is the perfect venue to present those love stories that have “kilig moments.”

“Actually, noong nasa MMK pa kami meron ng mga ganitong kwento but we weren’t able to present them since MMK would mostly feature those with tear-jerking moments, minsan lang may slots for super kilig. So, we thought of coming up with this show because we had stories before that were submitted to us and we used all those stories here.”

Each episode only requires 15 to 20 minutes viewing time.

“Naging magandang challenge din for the team to tell stories in 15 to 20 minutes at na-excite rin kami kaya siguro ramdam ‘yung fresh energy ng team, ng show because for the creative team behind Love Bites, fresh din ang experience na ito for us,” Arah added.

Asked how they were able to complete the show on a limited budget, direk Raz said their partnership with the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro played a big factor in completing the digital anthology’s eight episodes.

“It was a really good collaboration with them. They were very supportive at kaya rin ‘pag napanood n’yo ‘yung visuals sa trailer pa lang, makikita n’yo na agad how refreshing it is.

“So, I think that’s also one thing that we managed to achieve with Love Bites Season 2, not only are we exploring new platforms, kasi may challenges tayong kinakaharap, we have also found collaborations with institutions like LGUs of Pinamalayan and Puerto Galera. That’s why, we’re very thankful to the whole province of Oriental Mindoro.”

(Love Bites Season 2 is part of the Kapamilya “Made for YouTube” offerings, streaming every Friday night at 6 on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel).