Arzen Rose Dulzura

What did Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano learn from their characters in ‘Tayo Sa Wakas?’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>With their upcoming film <em>Tayo Sa Wakas</em> hitting theaters this month, Kapamilya stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano opened up about what they discovered while portraying their newest roles, Cisco and Cheska.</p><p>During the film’s media conference, Donny and Belle shared how embracing the deep and complex personalities of their characters helped them better understand life and love.</p><p>“Ang dami ko pang dapat matutunan. Sobrang dami kase sobrang lalim lalim ng characters namin dito. Sobrang intricate. It made me understand so much more about love,” Belle answered <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN.</strong></p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXRXxOqk8sQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A6371941.200000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Donny agreed, saying their roles in the film felt like a culmination of the characters they have portrayed over the years.</p><p>“Different sides, different stages, of our relationship. So, if you go through all that in a journey, you’ll start with the kilig, you’ll start with the honeymoon phase, then you’ll go to the realization that you’ve become familiar with each other, tapos doon na yun yung mga problems mag-a-arise. I think it&#x27;s a combination of all our characters in different stages of their life,” he explained.</p><p>The actor also shared that portraying Cisco pushed him to become more emotionally open and vulnerable in order to fully connect with the role.</p><p>“I think in order for you to reach the character of Cisco, I really learned to open up and to reach a side to myself that&#x27;s vulnerable, super vulnerable na hindi ko pa yata naranasan yun, pero kailangan para sa depth ng character niya, and yun nalaman ko na if you&#x27;re really just honest with yourself and your feelings, mapupuntahan mo yun,” he said.</p><p>Star Cinema’s first offering for 2026, <em>Tayo Sa Wakas</em> marks Donny and Belle&#x27;s last project together, “for now”, before pursuing solo careers. Described as a special project and a gift to their fans, the two stars worked closely with director Cathy Garcia-Sampana and also helped produce the film.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX1Rvt5z3pi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A6351664.300000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" 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><p>Speaking about working with Direk Cathy, both actors expressed gratitude for the guidance and trust she gave them throughout the process.</p><p>“Si Direk Cathy kakampi namin siya dito. She’s very open with us. She’s very comfortable telling us what to do here and you know, sobrang appreciate namin yun kasi hindi namin magagawa yung eksena kung ‘di namin siya kakampi,” Donny said. “It felt like a safe place, that’s why we’re able to just be who we need to be.”</p><p>Belle added, “She really knows how to - paano ka pigain, she knows what buttons to press para ilabas yung mga totoong emosyon mo.”</p><p>When asked about the biggest lessons they learned from the film, both stars highlighted the importance of patience, teamwork, and extending grace to themselves.</p><p>“This project really made me require so much patience in me kasi sobrang na challenge nga po ako dito,” Belle admitted. “But by the end of the day, put your trust in the director, the creatives, lahat sila dito, we’re all in this as one. We’re here together to help one another. It required so much patience sa sarili ko and to extend more grace to myself.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYWViErEz4k/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A6329203%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" 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><p>Donny continued, “I agree, give yourself more slack. Hindi madali yung ginagawa naming pelikula, but the fact that we get together makes it so much more worthy of doing this craft. We’re so passionate because we know everyone wants what&#x27;s the best for it. I think that&#x27;s the biggest lesson.”</p><p>He went on: “As long as you do it together, no matter where you are, no matter where your mindset is, basta align kayo, parang ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam, because you know that may kakampi kayo.” </p><p><em>Tayo Sa Wakas</em> premieres in Philippine theaters on May 27. Following its local release, the film will also screen internationally, beginning with Australia and New Zealand on June 11, the United States, Canada, and Guam on June 12, and Hong Kong and Macau on June 20.</p><p>The film will also be shown in the Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan with dates yet to be announced soon.</p>

<p>Here's how Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano embraced their characters in the upcoming film 'Tayo Sa Wakas.'</p>

Here's how Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano embraced their characters in the upcoming film 'Tayo Sa Wakas.'