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What makes ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ journey with Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano special for writer Vanessa R. Valdez

Article (news)

Xian Oquendo

<p>There are many reasons why “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/4/30/all-about-tayo-sa-wakas-2029?fbclid=IwY2xjawRih3hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9PoNpHNMkIUcjGQNxj5SKI4OAPTPKF_olGi5xtqN-SwJK8Uadh9m_hh7CUg_aem_KfUP74ibzr1Ahja--YR8Sg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tayo Sa Wakas</a>” stands out as a special story, but for writer Vanessa R. Valdez, what makes the film truly meaningful is the journey it represents for Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano — a journey that, in many ways, comes full circle. </p><p>Vanessa opened up about the significance of working with Donny and Belle once again during the film’s media launch on May 2. Having first collaborated with the two on “He’s Into Her”, the project that marked the beginning of Donny and Belle’s onscreen partnership, the writer admitted that “Tayo Sa Wakas” feels deeply sentimental for her. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDIqVTlHGAA?si=v9h2X7KWEiXD_uXa" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>“They began with me, and in a way, their journey as a love team is coming to a pause,” Vanessa said. “Ang saya nung feeling na kasama nila ako dito sa stop na ‘to.” </p><p>Giving a cheeky nod to their upcoming film’s title, Vanessa added, “So, sabi ko nga, kaming tatlo rin pala sa wakas.” </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778139884255Tayo Sa Wakas Media Launch Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano Vanessa Valdez 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>As the official trailer premiered during the event, Vanessa found herself reflecting on how much the two have evolved over the years. </p><p>“Natutuwa ako nung nakikita ko talaga &#x27;yung trailer kasi ang laki nung pinagbago nila mula nung una ko silang nakasama,” Vanessa beamed. “Ibang Donny and Belle ang mapapanood n’yo.” </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778139917896Tayo Sa Wakas Media Launch Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano Vanessa Valdez 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>For Vanessa, the film represents a different chapter for Donny and Belle — one that allows them to take on more emotionally layered roles compared to their previous projects. </p><p>“’Yung pelikulang &#x27;to kasi shows something more complex, and mas mature ‘yung roles nila dito, pero at the same time, very grounded,” she explained. </p><p>The writer also revealed that the story itself existed long before Donny and Belle&#x27;s tandem was formed.  </p><p>“Mahaba rin ‘yung journey nung kwento na ‘to,” she shared, adding that Donny and Belle’s own long history made them a fitting choice to portray the roles of Cisco and Cheska. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778139930759Tayo Sa Wakas Media Launch Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano Vanessa Valdez 3 .jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>Beyond being on another project together, Vanessa sees “Tayo Sa Wakas” as a defining and transitional moment for Donny and Belle because of the film’s mature themes about love, compromise, and identity. </p><p>“Because you love the person, you accommodate to the point that when you accommodate it, there are parts of yourself that you lose and parts of yourself that you change to fit that dynamic,” she reflected. “The question is, hanggang kailan magiging OK ‘yon?”  </p><p>She added that the film asks difficult but deeply human questions about relationships and personal growth. </p><p>“Marami siyang tinatanong na tanong sa pelikula. That’s why we were saying it’s a very complex movie,” Vanessa said. </p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778139943018Tayo Sa Wakas Media Launch Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano Vanessa Valdez 4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778139954616Tayo Sa Wakas Media Launch Donny Pangilinan Belle Mariano Vanessa Valdez 5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>With its emotionally grounded storytelling and the visible growth of Donny and Belle as actors, “Tayo Sa Wakas” is shaping up to be a promising, nuanced tale of love. Let the emotions and questions stay with you as “Tayo Sa Wakas”, directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, arrives in cinemas on May 27! </p><p>In the meantime, revisit the first glimpse into their story by watching the official trailer below. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E1kcUHGLlnI?si=850t_s2LGbotr1bq" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RPMwDAXA5EY?si=9oiK2ghrWQ3JuNQp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0s_05OPx9EQ?si=fhL1Of8Xo-cQUqNn" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/5/5/donny-pangilinan-belle-mariano-come-full-circle-in-tayo-sa-wakas-media-launch-1329" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano come full circle in ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ media launch</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/5/5/5-questions-we-have-after-watching-the-tayo-sa-wakas-trailer-1408" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5 questions we have after watching the ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ trailer</a></div>

<p><b>What makes ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ journey with Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano special for writer Vanessa R. Valdez</b></p>