Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Roja BTS: Donny trades fight scenes for gym sessions and pickleball fun with the cast

Article (news)

Pickleball, trainings and road trips: Donny Pangilinan's off-cam adventures with the cast of “Roja”

Kyla Dennise Magbanua

<p>It was a fresh set of experiences for Donny Pangilinan as he stepped into the shoes of Liam Roja in the action-drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>.” From his love team days in past projects, the Kapamilya heartthrob now makes a daring leap into action stardom---serving us fight scenes, intense takes, and a whole new side of Donny we didn’t know we needed. </p><p>Now that “Roja” has entered its <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/1/6/donny-kyle-join-forces-in-explosive-action-scenes-in-roja-s-mid-season-trailer-0950" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>mid-season</u></strong></a>, the clash in La Playa Roja between Uno and Liam is heating up fast. And while we brace ourselves for more jaw-dropping revelations, let’s hit pause and peek at how Donny Pangilinan poured time and effort into preparing for the role of Liam Roja, and how he makes sure to keep things light and tight off-cam---building strong bonds with the cast in these behind-the-scene happenings straight from the set of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Donny as Liam Roja</strong></div><p>A month before the series premiered, lead star Donny Pangilinan, who plays the role of Liam Roja, shared on Instagram a solo shot of himself holding a rifle in front of a speedboat. He captioned it with “See you soon,” prompting fans to grow even more excited about the series.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQBrdsyEoUw/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A9703449.300000012%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" 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><div><br/></div><p>What Donny goes through playing the role of Liam is no easy feat. In another behind-the-scenes clip, Donny is seen performing his fight stunts without a double, captured from different angles. He is shown rolling on the ground, guns in hand, as he shoots at the goons. </p><p>Following the premiere of the first three episodes of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>,” Kyle Echarri (as Olsen) unveiled behind-the-scenes photos showing how they prepared, especially for the stunts. He shared snippets of his training sessions with Donny for their stunt scenes, including their Arnis sequences alongside Maymay Entrata (as Luna).  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRb9kXGiTI3/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A10018301.600000009%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="898" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" 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><div><br/></div><p>Speaking of those Arnis sequences, a reel shared by Maymay showed Donny and Kyle in full-on serious mode as they rehearsed their fight scene---while Maymay enjoyed her mini break on the sidelines observing the two.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRg0QtMj2Pg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A10018320.600000009%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" 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><div><br/></div><p>In another round of behind-the-scenes ganaps, Donny was seen with Maymay and Kyle during their shoot as best friends and the chefs of La Playa Roja, casually sharing laughs and fun moments in between takes. </p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>As the clash between Liam and Uno’s team grows more intense, Donny’s dedication to his role shines through---especially when he’s sharing the screen with veteran actors. In one behind-the-scenes clip, Donny and Bernard Palanca (as Tres) went all in, performing their fight sequence without doubles---proving that “Roja” truly delivers the high-stakes action it promises to viewers. </p><p>And after Liam’s recent shootout encounter with Uno and his crew, Donny took to Instagram to lighten the mood, posting a cheerful selfie with the playful caption: “Smile muna bago mabaril.” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTCwzmskvwF/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A10018332.700000003%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" 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><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Liam Roja off cam</strong></div><p>Despite the intense battles Liam faces against the antagonists in the series, off cam, Donny makes sure to hang out and treat his cast members like true family. </p><p>In an Instagram story shared by Robert Seña (as Doc Jessie), Donny and Kyle were spotted squeezing in a gym session during their rest day---proof that the grind doesn’t stop even off-set. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px;display:block" width="500"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767892632453donny-kyle-robert.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="500"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo credit to Robert Sena</em></span></span></span></div><p>Another sporty highlight came when Donny joined Kyle, Igi Boy Flores (as Fin), and Kobie Brown (as Macky) for a pickleball session. In Janice de Belen’s (as Wendy) Instagram story, the boys were seen heading to the court wearing their matchy uniforms.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRO6bj6E9ao/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A10018818.200000003%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" 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><div><br/></div><p>And of course, what’s bonding without food? Janice also shared snippets of Donny and Kyle handing out packed meals to their co-stars, even joking in her caption that it felt like a “feeding program” on set. </p><div> <span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px;display:block" width="500"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767892525995donny-kyle.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="500"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo credit to Janice de Belen IG</em></span></span></span>On his rest days, Donny takes the fun beyond the set---going on little road trips with fellow cast members, as seen in a series of photos shared by Kyle Echarri. </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOqLN5RCUdi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A10018891.700000003%2C%22ls%22%3A595578.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A595840%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" 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><div><br/></div><p>On cam, Liam is bold, fearless, and unapologetically himself as he fights with dignity to save his family and the people of La Playa Roja. But when the cameras stop rolling, Donny Pangilinan reminds us that off-cam, he’s just as genuine---sharing laughter, food, and memories with his castmates like one big family. </p><p>Catch more of Donny in full action-star mode on “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, ALLTV2, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>Donny Pangilinan makes sure to keep things light and tight off-cam---building strong bonds with the cast in these behind-the-scenes happenings straight from the set of “Roja.”</p>

Donny Pangilinan makes sure to keep things light and tight off-cam---building strong bonds with the cast in these behind-the-scenes happenings straight from the set of “Roja.”