Lance Joseph Martinez

Donny Pangilinan Reveals Inspiration Behind Organizing the Donato Cup

Article (news)

<div><em>“Sige, sali ako pero hindi ako marunong.”</em></div><p>That was what <strong>Kapamilya</strong> actor <strong>Donny Pangilinan </strong>recalled telling his friends when they invited him to try golf during the pandemic—never imagining that a few years later, the unexpected hobby would evolve into a meaningful initiative for a greater cause in 2026.</p><p>During the lockdown years, golf courses were among the few sports venues allowed to operate, prompting Donny’s friends to encourage him to give the game a shot. Little did he know that the casual invitation would ignite a deep appreciation for the sport.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUsrkF1klTh/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3158752%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Na</em>-in love <em>rin ako sa </em>game, that’s why I always say <em>na</em> I have a love-hate relationship [with it], because it’s such a hard sport, but when you hit a good shot, you feel like the best player,” Donny revealed, describing the addictive challenge that kept him coming back to the greens.</p><p>As his love for golf grew, so did his dream of staging a tournament where friends and family could play together. That vision first took shape a few years ago with a small birthday cup dedicated to his grandmother.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770993299925SnapInsta.to_632046369_18326302255223628_4770557473100738724_n.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“One of my birthdays, I think it was two years, three years ago, we did like an Emma Cup. That was for my <em>lola</em> <em>naman</em> because that’s her name,” he recalled.</p><p>What started as an intimate gathering has now evolved into something far bigger. This week, Donny—together with <strong>Mediaworks</strong>—successfully mounted the <strong>Donato Cup, </strong>his first-ever invitational golf tournament, held at the prestigious<strong> Canlubang Golf and Country Club</strong>.</p><p>The landmark event gathered golf enthusiasts, celebrities, and supporters for a day of sport and philanthropy, all for the benefit of<strong> MovEd Philippines,</strong> a non-profit organization focused on early childhood education and community development.</p><p>Among those present were Donny’s family, including his father,<strong> Anthony Pangilinan</strong>,<strong> </strong>and mother, <a href="https://metro.style/people/2026/2/12/maricel-laxa-pangilinan-on-son-donny-s-first-ever-invitational-golf-cup-for-a-cause-1240" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan</strong></a>, along with his siblings. Also spotted at the event were <strong>ABS-CBN </strong>President and CEO <strong>Carlo Katigbak</strong> and OPM icons <strong>Gary Valenciano </strong>and<strong> Martin Nievera.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770993189505SnapInsta.to_631742874_18326302309223628_5344261459398340300_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Anthony Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Carlo Katigbak, and Donny Pangilinan during the opening ceremony of Donato Cup | Photo by Lance Joseph Martinez</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"></div><div><br/></div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770993218487SnapInsta.to_630228879_18326302318223628_3671752816057961026_n.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><div></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked about the inspiration behind the tournament’s name, Donny shared its deeply personal roots. “That’s named after my <em>lolo</em>, and it’s also my name, Donato,” he said.</p><p>More than just a reflection of his passion for golf, the Donato Cup also served as Donny’s birthday advocacy project as he marked his 28th year. Determined to make the celebration meaningful, he ensured the event would support a cause close to his heart.</p><p>“I said if we’re gonna have something, better to do it with someone we really believe in, and that’s MovEd,” he explained.</p><p>Demonstrating his understanding of the organization’s mission, Donny elaborated on its impact: “So MovEd, they’re the organization behind helping children have education from ages 0 to 7 during their early years, where their brains are still developing.”</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUpWvq0Ek9B/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A3206295%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>He added that the group’s programs extend beyond classroom learning. “And the good thing about MovEd, <em>hindi lang </em>education, <em>kasama na doon ‘yung </em>planning with the family, helping them with their meals, helping them even plant their meals. Like they even have gardens and farms where they really teach them to sustain themselves.”</p><p>Originally planned for a maximum of 50 golfers, the event quickly expanded to accommodate 160 participants, an overwhelming response that took even the organizers by surprise. “And that’s not even with us posting about the links. It’s really kind of a private event. So I’m just so glad with all the support all the brands here have shown. <em>Sobrang laking tulong talaga</em>,” he said, expressing gratitude for the turnout.</p><p>The success of the Donato Cup was further cemented during the awarding ceremony, where Donny announced that P500,000 would be donated to MovEd Philippines. For him, the amount symbolized not only a successful event but also the beginning of a larger mission.</p><p>“I think after this tournament, you know, it will also be close to a lot of hearts <em>kasi nakita nila ‘yung </em>effectiveness <em>ng</em> MovEd <em>talaga</em>. And the goal <em>talaga</em> is to bring it to different areas, get as many scholarships as we can, and just widen the foundation,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770993398408SnapInsta.to_629731542_18326302273223628_997658394411397170_n.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div><br/></div><p>With the event’s triumph came the inevitable question: would the Donato Cup become an annual tradition? Donny admitted that many attendees are already hoping for a second edition.</p><p>“Actually, everyone’s asking that <em>kasi ‘yun nga, napuno namin e. </em>So, feeling <em>ko</em>, there’s a chance <em>talaga na magkaka-</em>second. But I think we’ll have to book not just one course but two courses—maybe like a north and south, or a place with 36 holes, if we’re gonna have more people. I think for this course, 160 is a bit <em>siksik</em> <em>talaga</em>,” he said.</p><p>Despite the logistical challenges, he emphasized the joy the tournament brought. “But <em>ang saya pa rin, ‘di ba?</em> It’s a scramble format. So, it’s a fun way of playing. But yeah, with the turnout, I think it would be great to have another one. Why not, right?”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770993438626SnapInsta.to_628220368_18326302264223628_356973173480409954_n.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div><br/></div><p>As the conversation drew to a close, Donny returned to what matters most—the children supported by MovEd Philippines. He stressed that while scholarships often focus on high school or college students, the earliest years are the most critical.</p><p>“When you talk about scholarship, there are a lot of people who have scholarships for people in high school, kids in high school, in college, right? But what some people forget is that the time when the brain is developing is really the early stages,” he explained.</p><p>He concluded with a hopeful vision for the future: “If you focus there, and you start the kids with great education already, and they’re exposed to great teachers, a great environment, great food, momentum <em>na ‘yun</em> for the rest of his or her life.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Photos by <strong>Lance Joseph Martinez</strong></p>

<p>Blending his passion for sports with a drive to champion meaningful causes, Donny Pangilinan launched his first-ever golf tournament, the Donato Cup.</p>

Blending his passion for sports with a drive to champion meaningful causes, Donny Pangilinan launched his first-ever golf tournament, the Donato Cup.