“Never ko talagang inisip na gawin itong career,” said Donny Pangilinan when asked in an episode of “Tatak Star Magic: Celebrity Conversations” what made him join the entertainment industry. The son of Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, he didn’t start out as a child star like majority of showbiz royalties. Though he did commercials as a kid and would tag along with his parents to movie sets and events, Donny was just like the rest of us enjoying school and spending time with family and friends.

High school graduation was a turning point. Akin to the plot of his teen series “He’s Into Her,” his circle of friends planned early on where to pursue college, mostly in universities abroad. Donny, however, decided to try out showbiz just to satiate his interest.

“It’s not easy especially at the start kasi ang daming expectations,” he looked back. “Pero after a while, you get the hang of it. And I would say I am very blessed to be in this industry, to be in this position.” From the clueless newbie just testing the waters, he found himself falling passionately in love with entertainment.

He realized he can use his platform to inspire and make other people happy – and this has become his greatest motivation. His family also breathes him the drive to keep going. Whatever happens outside, at the end of the day, they would gather at home to talk about how work went, or just any topic. One of the perks of having five siblings and being close to each one is that Donny has a solid support system, people whom he can explore life with.

Outside showbiz, he winds down through sports like basketball, table tennis, and diving. He also likes road and beach trips and gathering with the whole clan.

Of course, his loveteam partner Belle Mariano is part of his fuel, “Nakukuha namin 'yung energy ng isa’t isa.” he shared. “It’s just nice to have that sort of chemistry with someone, that sort of bond that goes beyond just what you see in the camera.” They learn each other’s interests – for instance, Donny introduced Belle to diving – and sees the world together, exploring new food and nice views.

When asked to gauge his happiness, Donny answered that it goes beyond just between 1 to 10, he’d rate it a thousand, “Kahit pagod kayo, pwede pa rin maging happy. Even if you’re tired from work, you still have to find a reason to smile.” And this makes him unstoppable. He dreams of brandishing Pinoy talent around the globe, specifically in Hollywood. Whatever comes his way, he’s open to trying new things and characters, especially an action role. And at the end of the day, his main goal is to be better in what he does.

This conversation tells the story of a young man raised well in an environment where humility and generosity are planted. These are the values Donny tries hard to live out in his personal and professional life, “If you have a little more than enough, it’s always nice to give back.”

Catch the episodes of “Tatak Star Magic: Celebrity Conversation” every Tuesday and Friday, at 6pm, on Star Magic’s YouTube Channel, for the whole month of March.