The much-anticipated GMA Prime series ‘Mga Batang Riles’ made a powerful debut on January 6, captivating audiences with its intense story and impressive performances.
The show, headlined by Miguel Tanfelix, Kokoy de Santos, Bruce Roeland, Raheel Bhyria, and Antonio Vinzon, immediately set social media abuzz—particularly due to a daring scene featuring Tanfelix shirtless.
Tanfelix, who plays the role of Kidlat, surprised many viewers with his topless bathing scene in the pilot episode, which quickly became a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter). Longtime fans, accustomed to his boy-next-door image, were both stunned and impressed by his more mature portrayal.
Miguel Tanfelix in his hubadero era #MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere#MgaBatangRiles pic.twitter.com/RSGyuHqmkN
— Chakapuso Renegade (@CKROfficial7) January 6, 2025
May pa ulam agad si kidlat kayo na bahala sa kanin
MiguelTanfelix asKIDLAT#MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere pic.twitter.com/eLdH5uzMMo
— baby tymee ct (@babytymee) January 6, 2025
MiguelTanfelix asKIDLAT#MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere pic.twitter.com/2q4VEfuTHK
— kimkimjiwon (@kimkimgeewoni) January 6, 2025
The hubadera era of miguel tanfelix. Sarap ni kidlat sa pa-topless#MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere pic.twitter.com/YTyT7ytcyT
— Roge Labres (@Leyte_libog12) January 6, 2025
The episode showcased the struggles of Sitio Liwanag residents, led by Maying (Diana Zubiri) and Ima Hana (Eva Darren), as they fight to protect their land from a powerful corporation. Kidlat’s character made an unforgettable entrance, marked by a tense encounter with Sig (Raheel Bhyria) and Dags (Antonio Vinzon).
In his January 7 guest appearance on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’, Tanfelix opened up about his nerves and excitement over his leading role.
“Nakaka-pressure kung iisipin mo, Tito Boy, pero iyon nga e, kaya grateful ako sa production team dahil pinapakinggan nila ‘yung voice ko. So kung meron akong inputs, suggestions sa script, characters, pinapakinggan nila ako,” he shared.
When asked if he is open to taking on more daring roles, Tanfelix confidently stated that he is prepared to embrace bold challenges in his career this 2025.
Fans took to social media to express their admiration for Tanfelix’s transformation. The hashtag #MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere trended at number one in the Philippines, while terms like “Kidlat” and “Kulot” also gained traction. Many praised the fresh on-screen dynamics between Miguel Tanfelix and his co-stars, including Kokoy de Santos, Raheel Bhyria, and Antonio Vinzon.
The premiere was lauded for its balance of action and drama, with viewers highlighting the standout performances and compelling story. Miguel’s confidence and chemistry with the cast, along with the fresh elements brought by influencers-turned-actors like Spencer Serafica and Jomar Yee, also earned praise.
With a strong start and a storyline packed with action and intrigue, ‘Mga Batang Riles’ is poised to keep audiences hooked. The series airs from Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m. on GMA Prime and Kapuso Stream, and at 9:40 p.m. on GTV.
