'Mga Batang Riles' highlights lives, struggles of urban poor in pilot episode

"Mga Batang Riles" just made its primetime debut on Monday with a vivid exploration of the lives and struggles of the urban poor.

The new Kapuso series opened with Kidlat's life (Miguel Tanfelix) in a shanty community called Sitio Liwanag situated beside a railroad. He lives together with his father (Chris Villanueva) and ailing mother (Diana Zubiri).

It also showed the plight of the urban poor community in resisting and fighting for their rights against the rich Victor family, who owns a realty company and want to take the land to create a modern complex.

In the episode, Maying (Diana) can be seen being the voice of her community in stopping the plans of Rendon, the Victor patriarch.

Shortly after "Mga Batang Riles" premiered, the hashtag #MgaBatangRilesWorldPremiere ranked third on X's trending list.

The pilot episode and the actors also earned praises from viewers.

"Action, drama, kilig, comedy at social commentary sa first gap. Very promising ang serye na ito," said one X user.

"Grabe naman 'yung emotion ni Kidlat pang best actor," another said.

Aside from Miguel, "Mga Batang Riles" also stars Kokoy De Santos (Kulot), Raheel Bhyria (Sig), Antonio Vinzon (Dagul), and Bruce Roeland (Matos).

"Mga Batang Riles" airs weekdays on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras."

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News