Of afternoon delights and guilty pleasures

BOMBASTIC is the most appropriate word to describe Pira-Pirasong Paraiso and NagAapoy na Damdamin from ABS CBN Entertainment and TV 5. Pira-Pirasong Paraiso gives a novel spin to a modernday dysfunctional family. The House of Abiog is headed by its corrupt father, Badong (Epy Quizon), a man in uniform, and his wife Osang (Sunshine Dizon) with a kidney affliction. Their kids are Hillary (Ellise Joson), Kano (Markus Paterson), and Baby (Loisa Andalio) –house robbers who target the enclaves and assets of the new moneyed and pretentious bourgeois.

Mind you, the Abiogs are not the poorest of the poor kind of thieves. Their house is not of the informal settler kind. They use their robbery gains to pay for Osang's dialysis and support their family. Quizon and Dizon's portrayal of the wicked parental figures is both captivating and relatable.

Joson’s Hillary is a woman who knows that there is power in the beauty she possesses and that her flaw, the insecurity that eats her because of the street-smart and diligent Baby, is portrayed with fierce emotional honesty and commitment from Andalio. Paterson as the next in line Abiog alpha screen presence smolders. Such a handsome figure to be a crook and as Kano, there is a man/boy vibe that he radiates, and that longing for connection and love is most palpable.

As a young wife and sophisticate, Charlie Dizon dazzles as Dhana, and Art Acuna as her husband, delivers the acting chop goods.

Another plus factor is, episode one is fast-paced, with the coincidental interactions of the major characters happening in a seamless manner.

What makes Pira-Pirasong Paraiso a must-watch, is witnessing the development of the story arcs of its female leads with special mention to the roles assigned to Andalio and Joson that screams sibling rivalry, backstabbing, and scheming.

It is also interesting how bold and dark Kano will be, with Paterson infusing him with a dace that beams immaculateness that hides his deeds and desires.

Crisp writing, an engaging narrative, and the next generation of superstars bringing life and heart to complex characters, Pira-

Pirasong Paraiso deserves to be the afternoon delight of all.

Everything in Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin shouts first-world soap opera that satirizes the extravagance and luxury of the ultra-rich and famous. The riveting feud between the Salazars, led by JC de Vera's Dr. Philip, and the Buencaminos, with Tony Labrusca's Atty. Lucas, evokes memories of the captivating intrigues, tragedies, and triumphs reminiscent of the iconic American primetime melodrama Dynasty.

The manipulative and scheming Victoria Buencamino, adorned with chokers and pearls, the accessories of choice among Manila's influential women, is brought to life with a distinctive affluent manner of speaking by Maila Gumila. Her character evokes memories of Jane Wyman as Angela Channing, the matriarch and mastermind of mayhem in Falcon Crest

The most potent characters during the episode presentation were Jeffrey Santos and Richard Quan, these seasoned actors played to perfection their patriarch parts respectively. cantara received the Luxxe White Face of the Night.

Both JC and Tony’s characters are more mature, physically and emotionally. In the initial showing, one can see that they are still sinking their teeth and finding the voice and hearts of characters that are more experienced than them when it comes to dealing with the twist and turns, shocks and surprises that men face in an imagined world of those who live in ivory towers.

Jane Oineza’s delicate rendition to still a decorative character is overshadowed by Gumila’s presence and Labrusca’s domineering persona.

Despite these premiere quivers, Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin is destined to be everyone’s guilty pleasure for the depiction of the powerful and revenge-driven, and thirsty rich with their dirty, sexy, money and influence, spell simply irresistible viewing.

The Couple of the Night award was presented to Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes with the host commending their strong bond and chemistry that have continued to inspire fans both on and off-screen.

Fans of Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz rejoiced as the duo received the Love Team of the Night award. Spotlight Male Star of the Night went to Ruru Madrid while Bianca Umali was named Spotlight Female Star of the Night.

The Male Sparkle Star of the Night award was presented to the talented Alden Richards while style icon Heart Evangelista was recognized as the Female Sparkle Star of the Night.

Newly-engaged Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque were honored with the Sparkling Couple of the Night award.

Malaysia bans

The 1975 after Matt

Healy kissed male bandmate on stage

FOLLOWING an onstage incident at the Good Vibes music festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, The 1975 band has been prohibited from performing in the country, and the entire festival has been canceled.

The decision came after Matty Healy, the lead singer of the British band, openly criticized Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws and kissed a bandmate during their performance.

Healy, 34, who recently attracted attention for his brief relationship with Taylor Swift, used explicit language in his speech at the festival to criticize Malaysia's anti-gay laws. He openly condemned the country's stance on homosexuality before sharing a kiss with bassist Ross MacDonald.

In Malaysia, samesex relationships are considered illegal, and laws criminalizing homosex- ual acts carry potential prison sentences. LGBTQ individuals in the nation also face ongoing discrimination from authorities, and human rights groups have expressed concerns about the increasing intolerance within the country.

Healy told fans the band had thought of pulling out of the event, saying: “I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”

“I made a mistake.

When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it,” he added.

Prior to the recent on-stage protest, Healy had already engaged in a similar act during a 2019 concert in the United Arab Emirates, a country known for its strict anti-LGBTQ laws. On that occasion, he kissed a male fan, demonstrating his stance against the discriminatory regulations.