Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano on ’Tayo sa Wakas’: Our last project for now

Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano confirmed that their upcoming film “Tayo Sa Wakas” will be their final project as an onscreen tandem for now, both saying it’s a mutual decision.

Pangilinan and Mariano made the announcement in an interview on Bianca Gonzalez’s “Paano Ba ‘To?!” podcast on Monday, April 27. 

“We’ve done so many projects throughout the years but me and Belle decided that for this specific project, it will be our last DonBelle project for now,” he said.

Chiming in, the actress said they mutually agreed the film would be their “last project,” and that doing it required them to grow apart and come back as better versions of themselves.

“But you know, it’s a mutual decision. This is why this project required so much growth from him and I and time apart, which allowed us to grow, find what we want, find who we are, and come back as better people,” she said.

While Pangilinan and Mariano admitted they’re both “scared” about what happens after the film, they said they’ve reached a point where they want to support each other as individuals. “It’s hard because we’re going through it sa shoot na hindi namin alam when we’re going to shoot this kind of scene again, reminiscing the times we’ll be on set. We’re just glad that we get to go through this together,” he said. 

“We’ve been working together for quite a while. Since ‘He’s Into Her,’ it’s been every year, project after project, and it’s something that we’re very proud of,” he continued. “We’re grateful that we went through that, which is why we decided this would be the best route for now, and this movie would be perfect for that.”

The “Bugambilya” singer added that she’s excited for what’s ahead for both of them.

“It’s scary, yes, but it’s exciting knowing that parang we’re really so dedicated to doing this project really, really well. We’re just so excited what’s ahead for the both of us, there’s so much we’re going to go through. It’s scary but it’s okay,” she said.

“Tayo Sa Wakas” is Pangilinan and Mariano’s first film together in four years after “An Inconvenient Love” in 2022, though they joined forces in the dramas “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “How to Spot a Red Flag.”

Since last year, both of them have focused on their separate projects, with the actress appearing in “Incognito” and “Meet, Greet, & Bye.” She also focused on her music career and other businesses. 

Meanwhile, Pangilinan kept himself busy with the film “GG” and the action drama “Roja.”

“We haven’t worked together in a film in a while, which was in 2022. And now, we’re going in as completely different individuals and we’re going through a lot of stuff we go through,” the actor said of working again with Mariano.

“So, it’s very raw, it’s very real, we came here [knowing that] it’s going to be the case and that’s why it’s emotional. I’m glad we got to do it with each other. I can’t imagine doing this type of film with someone else,” he continued. 

Mariano hinted that their upcoming film talks about a couple discovering who they truly are outside of their relationship. “Finding our individuality and identity alone because the film really requires you to find who you are, and that’s where we are, Donny and I, we wanna grow as individuals, we wanna find our identity.”

To complete her train of thought, a smiling Pangilinan said, “Because sometimes, it’s not about falling in love with your partner. It’s about falling in love with yourself.”

“Tayo sa Wakas” is directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, with the onscreen tandem listed as executive producers. It hits cinemas on May 27.