Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: Belle Mariano on playing Takako in ‘Incognito’: ‘I'm always up for a challenge’

Article (news)

Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

<p>Belle Mariano’s iconic guest role as kidnap victim Takako Rai in the hit ABS-CBN series <em>Incognito</em> earned widespread praise from viewers, making her performance truly unforgettable.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Belle shared how she was deeply moved by the role upon learning about it.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743208991979Thumb - 2025-03-29T084300.329.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>&quot;When they pitched it to me, I just found the character so empowering. Takako was so strong. As in, when I read the script and when it was discussed to me, I was like, &#x27;Okay, this is how Takako&#x27;s story or life will go.&#x27; Parang I was really moved. It was so empowering. And that&#x27;s what really made me say, &#x27;Okay, I’ll do this,&#x27; she revealed.</p><p>The Kapamilya leading lady went on telling how inspiring Takako was: “Sobrang ganda ng storya and the message of it, na parang let&#x27;s not lose hope. My last line ako doon, that was really, really iconic.&quot;</p><p>During her farewell scene in the series, Belle, playing Takako, courageously faces Timor Escalera, portrayed by Art Acuña, delivering a message of hope until her last breath. She says, &quot;Morning always comes when light defeats the darkness, and it will be all worth it.&quot;</p><div><iframe width="1280" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O5XxORsbp4o" title="Takako&#x27;s farewell | Incognito (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Belle admitted that it was a very challenging role, also noting that she had to do scenes she had never done before.</p><p>“I&#x27;m always up for a challenge. That was a role that I&#x27;ve never done before. Never po po ako naputulan ng daliri. Sorry. And, you know, sabi ko naman, I would always want to do things that would make me grow and help me grow as an artist doing my craft,” she revealed.</p><p>Meanwhile, the actress shared how she balanced her guest role in the action series with her lead role in <em>How to Spot a Red Flag</em>, co-starring with love team partner Donny Pangilinan.</p><p>&quot;It was really such a challenge because the role that I&#x27;m playing in <em>How to Spot A Red Flag</em> is so light. Pero I think I wouldn&#x27;t have done it without our director. Sobrang galing talaga nila. They really guided me to get in the zone of my character. Tapos, you know, kasi pag nandun ka sa set na yon,” she shared.</p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DLah9cFoSQA" title="Matt says &#x27;I love you&#x27; to Cha | How To Spot A Red Flag" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Belle also shared how her co-stars in the series became like family to her.</p><p>&quot;Iba rin talaga yung energy ng mga tao doon. Talagang feeling ko nagkaroon ako ng pamilya. Esnyr was my best friend. Super, as in super close kami. And then, sina Ate Mylene (Dizon), they really became my parents,” Belle said.</p><p>She continued thanking all the people who believed she can do both roles: “Super nakakatuwa dahil I get to work with these people that I also learned from and with <em>Incognito</em> din. Grabe, they were so nice to me and they really believed that I could do it. So thank you so much to them for guiding me.”</p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z9lMnImerWo" title="Bugambilya - Belle Mariano (Lyrics)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In the meantime, Belle is hoping to continue pursuing her music as well.</p><p>“Hopefully, I get to do something this year with my music. I want to write more. I think music is a way for me to also express myself. And it&#x27;s so nice that we have that type of platform to just say and feel and say our emotions. So hopefully this year I get to write more. Let&#x27;s see.”</p>

<p>Belle Mariano reflects on her portrayal of Takako Rai in the hit ABS-CBN action series '<i>Incognito</i>,' highlighting the many 'firsts' she experienced. She also opens up about playing Cha in '<i>How to Spot A Red Flag</i>,' balancing the simultaneous filming of a rom-com while tackling a more intense role.</p>

Belle Mariano reflects on her portrayal of Takako Rai in the hit ABS-CBN action series ' Incognito ,' highlighting the many 'firsts' she experienced. She also opens up about playing Cha in ' How to Spot A Red Flag ,' balancing the simultaneous filming of a rom-com while tackling a more intense role.