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MetroStyle Exclusive: Donny Pangilinan for "Tayo Sa Wakas"

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Lance Joseph Martinez

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768064608METRO COVER DONNY PANGILINAN Tayo Sa Wakas solo final.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Donny Pangilinan, as photographed by Artu Nepomuceno</div><div> </div>While 18 is still considered young, entering the entertainment industry at that age can be seen as a somewhat late start for some artists. But for Donny Pangilinan, easily this generation’s matinee idol, everything seemed to happen at just the right time.After appearing in television commercials as a child, Donny officially entered showbiz in 2016 through guest appearances in various ABS-CBN programs. He eventually landed regular roles in the industry, becoming one of the hosts of the Sunday variety show ASAP and serving as a VJ for MYX.Looking back at his journey during a 2023 interview with METRO, Donny shared, “I started my workshops with Star Magic. That’s when I was still a senior in high school, and I think, du’n ko talaga nakita na iba talaga ’yong craft ng pag-arte. Ang daming kailangang pag-isipan. You really have to work hard in order to execute a scene to the best of your capabilities, and at the time, hindi pa ako marunong mag-Tagalog masyado.” Despite initially taking on supporting roles, Donny remained committed to honing his craft as an actor. Little did he know that in 2021, a breakthrough would arrive through the hit series He’s Into Her, where he starred alongside Belle Mariano.Donny admitted that at the beginning of the project, he and Belle went through an awkward phase, especially since he found Belle naturally shy around him, while he had to portray the confident and arrogant Deib Lohr.“We just had to get to a point na we both agreed within ourselves na we have to get to know each other, you know,” he shared. Still, Donny remained grateful, sharing that despite the challenges at the start, the work relationship eventually grew into a friendship that continues to this day. <div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768126069emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16549 res.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Donny: Jacket by FENDI, Button-down by DIOR, and pants by REPARER</div><div> </div>“It was a fun show to start. Ang dami naming ka-age. So, whenever we’d be there, it would be a lot of play. And, first time rin namin to work with Direk Chad [Vidanes], who was also doing his first project,” he said in his latest METRO interview, adding how the experience felt fresh for everyone involved. “So, all of us were just doing this whole new thing together. Which is why I think it was really fun. Because it was like a first for everyone.”Following the success of He’s Into Her, Donny and Belle’s on-screen pairing was eventually established as DonBelle, growing into one of the country’s biggest and most beloved love teams with a massive fan base.The two enjoyed continued success through more films and television projects together, including Love Is Color Blind, An Inconvenient Love, Can’t Buy Me Love, and How to Spot a Red Flag.But as both stars slowly began exploring individual opportunities last year, questions started circulating among fans and viewers alike: Could this mark the beginning of a new chapter for Donny and Belle’s careers?<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768206488emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16561 res.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div>“It was a year out of my comfort zone” was how Donny Pangilinan summed up his 2025 as a year of firsts. “First time ko sumali [as judge] ng Pilipinas Got Talent, and that was really different for me. I did a couple of things that were really new. And then you add Roja, which I didn’t know was coming this year,” he told METRO last year.Now, the actor is set to return to familiar territory, acting alongside his on-screen partner Belle Mariano as they bring Cisco and Cheska to life in the romance film Tayo Sa Wakas. With this, fans can expect Donny to further showcase his growth and depth as an actor.In the film, Donny plays Cisco, a driven, confident, and relentlessly ambitious young creative. Once he sets his sights on something, he pushes himself with no excuses, chasing both success and bigger dreams.But beneath his strong exterior lies a deeply vulnerable side, someone who longs to be seen and understood. His intense desire to succeed can sometimes turn into control, possessiveness, and harshness toward himself and those around him. Still, when he cares about a person, a craft, or a dream, he gives everything he has.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768317269emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16460 res.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768418867emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16420 res.png" style="width:960px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div>This dynamic makes the upcoming film even more intriguing, especially as viewers anticipate how Belle’s character, Cheska, will balance Cisco’s intensity, and how Donny will bring emotional justice to such a layered role.Donny then shared that aside from Belle, director Cathy Garcia-Sampana played a huge role in shaping his performance. “Sobrang hands-on n’ya, and what we appreciate talaga with her is she will make us get to a point that it has to be raw. And we all agree that we’re trying to put out a genuine story, not something that we have to act out,” he said.He added, “So we really have to be the characters, Cisco and Cheska. And it gets to a point where she talks to us, and she’s like, ‘Kilala mo na si Cheska, ano’ng gagawin mo?’”Donny, too, has a question he wants to leave to viewers of Tayo Sa Wakas: “How far are you willing to go to fight for that love, and what are you willing to sacrifice just to be where you guys want to be?”For Donny, love remains one of life’s most powerful forces. As he puts it, “Love is the center of everything. It should be, ’di ba? But then, in the midst of love, in the midst of falling in love, it’s not always happy moments as well. So you go through all of that.”<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768571746emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16951 res.png" style="width:960px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Donny: Top and blazer by REPARER</div><div> </div>In Tayo Sa Wakas, however, the story is not solely defined by heartbreak and tears. It also explores the tender and joyful stages of love—from fleeting glances and first crushes to the excitement of the ligawan stage that many audiences can relate to. After all, “sa wakas” can mean two things: finally and in the end. With Cisco’s emotionally layered journey, Donny noted that the character may draw parallels to some of his previous roles, such as Deib Lohr, Ino, and Bingo, each shaped by different shades of love and growth.When asked about his favorite line from Tayo Sa Wakas, Donny shared one of those that stood out to him, “Pinapahirapan natin ang sarili natin to say goodbye.”The line struck a deeper chord among fans, reflecting the difficult reality of saying goodbye, at least “for now,” to a love team that built a massive following over the years. This sentiment also mirrors the current chapter of DonBelle, as Donny and Belle Mariano begin to close this era and explore individual paths. But unlike that line from Cisco, the farewell to DonBelle, whose story began with a novel-based series, isn’t tinged with regret or sadness, but joy and excitement for the next chapter, even when they’re now writing different books.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779768644486emed_metrostyle donny pangilinan and belle mariano tayo sa wakas for metro_MetroS050826-16789 res.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>On Donny: Ensemble by GUCCI <div> </div><div></div><div>Tayo Sa Wakas hits cinemas nationwide on May 27.</div><div> </div>Metro Head: Christina LopezEditor-in-Chief: Geolette EsguerraSittings Editors: Grace Libero-Cruz and Kate Paras-SantiagoManaging Editor: Rick FormalejoCreative Director: Randz ManucomPhotographer: Artu NepomucenoStylists: (Belle) Adrianne Concepcion, assisted by Via Abarra, Cent Bermas, Wyn Masongsong | (Donny) John Lozano, assisted by Bea Yabut, Arar PascualMakeup Artist and Hair Stylist: (Belle) Jake Galvez, assisted by Diana Mae; RJ Dela Cruz, assisted by Mel Nadal | (Donny) Jam PareñoFashion Associate: Carla BuyoCover Story Writer: Lance Joseph MartinezEditorial Assistant: Chloe Eve NillarShoot Assistants: Arci Claveria and Kiana NaranjoVideography: LitLab (Carlo Bautista, Miggy Mercado, Miguel Gutierrez, Philipp Balbuena, Eve Baswel, Claire Ley, Lance Lascano, Tyrone Taotao, Jonas Ibanez, Princess Perez, Maurene Ignacio, Anna Correo, Team Batman, Angelito Saberon, JBSA WORKS Equipment Rentals, Sam Africa)Production Design: AdSet - Manny TarrojaAssistant Production Designer: Regie AlcaydeSetmen: Alexander Hapayan, Romy Dela Cruz, Philip Andres, and Vincent SalvanteLayout by Alfred AmadoShot on Location at Las Casas Quezon CityDrinks sponsor: Pick Up CoffeeFlower sponsor: Spruce Design PHSpecial thanks to Star Cinema (Mico Del Rosario, Keia Inciong, Neil Juliano, Shereign Ulit, Dhar Chavez, Ella Argenal) and Star Magic (Laurenti Dyogi, Edith Fariñas, April Del Rosario, Yanie Camante, Elsyd Aragones)

For Donny Pangilinan, love remains one of life’s most powerful forces. As he puts it, “Love is the center of everything. It should be, ’di ba? But then, in the midst of love, in the midst of falling in love, it’s not always happy moments as well. So you go through all of that.”

For Donny Pangilinan, love remains one of life’s most powerful forces. As he puts it, “Love is the center of everything. It should be, ’di ba ? But then, in the midst of love, in the midst of falling in love, it’s not always happy moments as well. So you go through all of that.”

In 'Tayo Sa Wakas,' Donny Pangilinan Asks, 'How Far Are You Willing to Go to Fight for Love?'

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In 'Tayo Sa Wakas,' Donny Pangilinan Asks, 'How Far Are You Willing to Go to Fight for Love?'

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published May 26, 2026 12:20 PM PHT

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Updated May 26, 2026 12:29 PM PHT

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