Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano | Image: Instagram/@donny
Belle Mariano was commended by netizens for her professionalism after her interaction with a fan who was said to have special needs went viral.
In the video posted on social media, a fan can be seen unexpectedly rushing to Mariano after her performance at a recent event in Davao. The fan was carrying a bouquet of white flowers, which they intended to give to the actress.
The fan was captured trying to shoo security personnel away as he asked Mariano to pose for a selfie. He wrapped his arm around the Kapamilya star, and Mariano willingly smiled for the photo, but as the latter tried to break free from the embrace, the fan tried to pull her back, prompting for more marshals to try to make the fan return to their seat.
Belle Mariano gets praise for professionally handling ‘awkward’ fan encounter | Image: Screengrab from TikTok/@uknwmprsn
There was a bit of tension as the fan did not leave immediately the basketball court and kept trying to make the security staff go away as he tried to hand Mariano the flowers and asked for a second round of photos.
At the end, a supposed guardian of the gifted individual entered the scene and tried to make the fan return to his seat. Mariano then thanked the fan for the flowers and returned to entertaining the rest of the crowd.
In the comments section, some netizens claimed that the fan is part of the autism and down syndrome spectrum.
“The guy has autism and down syndrome po, so I’m sure Belle understands that especially she’s a psych major. i hope you guys don’t throw hate sa guy,” wrote one TikTok user.
Image: TikTok/@uknwmprsn
Mariano’s professionalism earned praise from netizens, as they pointed out how well she handled the situation despite being caught off guard.
“Love you Belle, napakabait mong bata. I know uncomfortable ka na pero na handle mong maayos ang situation na hndi mapapahiya ang bata,” wrote one netizen.
“Napakaganda and napaka-professional at napakabait pa ni Belle, nahandle nya ung fans nya pero kinabahan ako ng mapanood ko to,” pitched in another netizen.
Image: TikTok/@uknwmprsn
Donny’s kiss bandit
Meanwhile, Mariano’s on-screen partner Donny Pangilinan also experienced an “awkward” fan encounter at the same event after a woman approached and kissed him on the cheeks.
In the video, the actor was seen unprepared with the fan’s action that he tried to pull back. Fans on the internet expressed their worry for Pangilinan as they argued that it can be considered as a form of “sexual harassment.”
Image: TikTok/@lurkerr10ony
Both Mariano and Pangilinan have yet to issue a statement on the separate incidents.