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DonBelle looks back on their journey towards achieving “their moment” in special Star Cinema docu

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Mary Ann Bardinas

Following the success of their team-up in teen drama series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/hesintoher">He’s Into Her,</a> which spawned to their first-ever movie in lead roles <a href="http://https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/the-making-of-love-is-color-blind-319359">“Love Is Color Blind”</a> and their big screen debut <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/watch-an-inconvenient-love-official-trailer-336837">“An Inconvenient Love,”</a> there’s definitely no doubt that Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano are not just the hottest stars of this generation, but also the most popular loveteam.And in light of the promising performance of their latest flick in the box office, Star Cinema released on Wednesday, November 30, a special documentary entitled “Donny and Belle: Their Moment,” wherein the tandem heartily imparted the never-before-told story regarding their showbiz journey – from their respective small beginnings, up to the present that they’re starring on their first ever movie shown in cinemas.Clips from their guesting on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime">It’s Showtime</a> to promote <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/watch-an-inconvenient-love-official-trailer-336837">“An Inconvenient Love,”</a> before and during the premiere night, and during their mall show in different parts of the country, as well as interviews with a few of their supporters and their co-star Maxene Magalona were also shown throughout the documentary.<div> </div><div>Small beginnings and overcoming insecurities</div>The over 32-minute video commenced with a montage of their moments together on-and-off-screen, with Donny and Belle’s dialogue from one of their projects together playing on the background. Both of them initially reminisced about how their eagerness to join the industry got enkindled – with Belle sharing that it was actually her commercial model-uncle who first influenced her, while Donny got inspired by how everybody and everything worked behind the scenes during those times when he accompanied his actress-mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan in her tapings.According to Belle, attending over 100 VTRs wherein she had to lineup along with other auditionees only to only get rejected in the end were the hardest part of her journey. In spite of those, she was still able to convince her uncle and parents that she really wanted to pursue it. She made it and began doing commercials at 9, yet there were naysayers who told her that it’s impossible for her to juggle studies and career – and they proved them all wrong.Meanwhile, Donny divulged how nervous he was when he started going through workshops and auditions, especially that all eyes were on him since he came from one of the influential clans in showbiz. He doesn’t have expectations nor end goals yet because he wanted to see first if he could do something significant in this industry and if he could make it since there were “voices” that could derail him.Being able to revisit some of her remarkable works in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit">Goin’ Bulilit</a> many years ago in one of her vlogs, this made her realize that she has indeed already gone a long way from being that little girl who was enthusiastic to do anything that she’s asked for. She noted how her voice has already changed, as well as the way she acts and behaves in front of the camera.Aside from the anxiety they felt every time they do a new role or project, both of them also had to face their insecurities about their bodies. Donny used to often compare himself to his friends or people his age, while Belle suffered from an eating disorder and got really conscious with her calorie intakes.“I guess, it’s important for someone to go past his/her insecurities because the moment you stop thinking na ‘this person’s voice matters more than mine and His (God), that I guess that’s when you win in life,” the 24-year-old actor said.Belle seemingly echoed him by conveying, “You know, by the end of the day, I think your flaws and what you think your insecurities are, that’s what makes you beautiful. So, those voices don’t matter. I think, what really matters is how you see yourself and how God sees you. Because that’s where I find my identity.”<div> </div><div>Working together as a loveteam</div>DonBelle talked about the beginning of their tandem. Their avid shippers surely know that they first worked together in the 2020 flick “James and Pat and Dave,” wherein he played the role of Dave, while she had a special participation as Trish. They recalled how awkward both of them towards each other, which went on with their look test and audition for <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/hesintoher">He’s Into Her</a>, making it difficult for them to execute their actions.While she was extremely grateful for this opportunity bestowed to her that she waited for a very long time, she couldn’t help but be disheartened and demotivated upon receiving backlash and snide remarks from some fans of the book series when it was announced that she would play the heroine Maxpein.But the journey she went through before that breakthrough, as well as the thought of using those to build herself up instead of letting those knock her down, rekindled the spark within her. Besides, the realization that it was her dream that she’s fulfilling and not theirs also helped her moved forward. Belle also couldn’t help but be emotional upon recalling how her family got involved in those bashing, which really hurt her the most.With regards to the secret behind the success of their partnership, Donny disclosed, “I think, the main thing is we’re just here to support each other really, at the end of the day, and we want to push each other to his or her limits and to even step outside of that comfort zone. As an actor, I think that’s when the magic happens – once you step out of that line and choose to do stuff that you’ve never done before.”The 20-year-old actress added that trust on your partner is also a great factor, to which Donny agreed because once you have trust with each other and support one another, that’s where the chemistry is born. The individual struggles they went through, as well as of ABS-CBN, indeed helped with their maturity and evolvement, too.They also reminisced about the time when Belle received the Outstanding Asian Star award at Seoul International Drama Awards last September, which was a first for Filipinos and for her as a rising actress. Apart from the support that he and their “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/watch-an-inconvenient-love-official-trailer-336837">An Inconvenient Love”</a> castmates had given her from their bubble during that momentous stint, Donny reminded her again that he would always be there to support and believe in her.With regards to his “Men Who Matter” award he received from People’s Asia last June, he said that he dedicates it to the people who pushed him to where he is right now, including Belle who is extremely proud of him, too. He might have thought that he didn’t deserve it, but Belle reminded her that he indeed matters because of the inspiration he brings to the people around him.Instead of making them lenient, the recognitions they took home and the unwavering support of their fans make them feel pressured in a good way, as it fuels them to further exert their best. At the same time, they’re also delighted to see their supporters uplifting each other and being united for a single purpose, especially during the premiere night. Thus, DonBelle hopes that they would be able to continue spreading positive vibes and inspiration to them.<div> </div><div>On their hopes for “An Inconvenient Love,” their realizations, and message for each other</div>“Sana, we’re able to move people. I think, the more we think about kasi numbers and if will people like this part, this scene, this stuff, it gets super technical. In the end of the day, there will always be pressure. But we did our best and the whole team did their best, so I think part of this is trusting everyone as well – the [production] team, Star Cinema, ABS-CBN, the crew. Just trusting that we created something magical, hopefully, and sana makita ng mga supporters at kahit ng mga hindi fans ‘yong magic sa ginawa namin,” Donny stated. He also hopes that through their film, people are going to fall in love again with Filipino-made movies as well, which is really important.When it comes to their realizations regarding their career, Belle mused, “I was just once a girl, a little girl, who was dreaming for all of this – watching myself in the cinema, just watching myself on TV. It’s never too late to dream, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. Never stop believing in yourself.”On the other hand, Donny related, “Darating at darating din ang panahon mo. Just be patient, your time will come. And for the meantime, never settle.”With regards to what they wish the viewers will take away from <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/watch-an-inconvenient-love-official-trailer-336837">“An Inconvenient Love,”,</a> Belle said, “I hope, what they bring after watching the whole movie is that despite all the inconveniences we have in life, we are still loved and we can still love.”Meanwhile, for Donny, “One thing na gusto kong baunin nila is just because something has happened to you in the past, that doesn’t necessarily mean your future will be like that. So, everyday is a new opportunity to love, to grow, to learn, and to just be a better version of yourself.”They added that hopefully, the movie is going to plant happiness in the lives of those who will watch it “24ever.”The special documentary capped odd with Donny and Belle expressing their genuine and touching messages toward each other, which surely brought kilig to their ardent shippers, especially when they uttered how their journeys have been convenient with one another by their side, as well as how they do not see themselves sharing those moments with other persons.Show your love and support to DonBelle by watching <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/videos/watch-an-inconvenient-love-official-trailer-336837">“An Inconvenient Love,”</a>, now on its second week in cinemas!

Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano looked back on their showbiz journeys in the Star Cinema special docu “Donny and Belle: Their Moment”.