When “Ang Mutya ng Section E” wrapped its first season last April with that soft-focus, slow-burn kiss between Jay-Jay and Keifer, no one expected the world to erupt the way it did.
Suddenly, three young actors found themselves at the center of a global crush: Fan accounts from Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam sprang up overnight; Indian viewers cried over subtitled clips; and the cast discovered that airport anonymity would no longer be part of their lives.
For Ashtine Olviga, Andres Muhlach, and Rabin Angeles, this wasn’t just the success of a show, it was the kind of pop-culture lightning that strikes once, alters everything, and leaves you scrambling to catch your breath.
“It’s quite overwhelming really,” Andres says, sounding both amused and exhausted. “It was something that we really didn’t expect. But I’m truly grateful for all the fan support.”
He plays Keifer, the gentle but mysterious heartthrob whose longing gaze broke the internet. And while audiences swooned over him, Andres keeps insisting he’s still adjusting to the attention.
“It’s a huge adjustment for sure but we’re here to entertain the fans and that’s what we aim to do. Yes, there’s pressure but like I said before, I welcome it. I think pressure will push us to do even better.”
Ashtine, who brought Jay-Jay to life with equal parts charm and vulnerability, feels that pressure too.
“There’s apprehension like, what if we fail expectations, diba? But we could only work harder and promise to give them the best,” she says. “We will work hard to make this new offering even better than the first one.”
There’s a new steadiness in the way she speaks—like someone who’s had to grow up fast under bright lights and louder expectations.
“I’ve grown a lot as an actress and as a performer and I think there’s maturity naman na din in what I do.”
And then there’s Rabin Angeles, the charismatic scene-stealer who turned Yuri, the loyal best friend turned fiancé, into an overnight fan favorite.
“Utang na loob ko ang lahat na narating ko at this point sa show na ito,” Rabin admits. “Yes, aaminin ko, there’s huge pressure on us, but of course, hindi naming sasayangin ang opportunity at tiwala na binigay sa amin ng Viva at ng mga fans. We will work together to make sure we will be able to reciprocate the love they have showered us.”
They speak differently now. More measured. More aware. More careful. That’s what fame does: it sharpens you, but it also softens you in strange ways, teaches you to hold gratitude in one hand and pressure in the other.
This December, the trio returns in “Ang Mutya ng Section E: The Dark Side,” the second season adapted from Lara Flores’ (Eatmore2behappy) Wattpad sequel, a juggernaut with 315 million reads. And under the steady, stylish eye of award-winning director Petersen Vargas, whose filmography spans indie gems (“2 Cool 2 Be 4Gotten,” “Hello Stranger”) to mainstream hits (“Un/Happy For You,” “A Very Good Girl”)—the world of Section E grows bigger, sharper, and decidedly darker.
Jay-Jay may finally feel at home in Higher Value International School, but her heart is anything but steady. Keifer, for all his devotion, disappears for months to face family troubles. Yuri grows more determined to marry her. And the love triangle that once made fans swoon now morphs into something messier, more adult, more dangerous.
And the chaos only expands with new cast additions.
Rhen Escaño enters as Honey Bee Ryder, the alluring wildcard who disrupts both Keifer and Percy (JD Axie).
Taneo of Alamat takes on the role of Ryosuke Sato, heir to a powerful Yakuza clan with unfinished business with Yuri—and a troubling interest in Jay-Jay.
Austin Dizon joins as Jason, Keifer’s gang-leader nemesis.
Of course, Section E wouldn’t be Section E without its vibrant ensemble of Viva talents—Andre Yllana, Charles Law, Heart Ryan, Sara Joe, Ethan David, Kurt Delos Reyes, Sam Shoaf, Martin Venegas, and many more—returning to stir trouble, friendship, and fan hysteria.
“Ang Mutya ng Section E: The Dark Side” unfolds in 18 episodes, split into two arcs:
Part 1: December 4, 2025
Part 2: June 11, 2026
With a primer premiering on November 26.
Stream it exclusively on Viva One.
