Tag: Belle Mariano

“Tayo Sa Wakas” Earns P12 Million on Opening Day, Posts Biggest Local Film Debut of 2026, Now Showing
Love is back on the big screen as “Tayo Sa Wakas” continues to resonate with audiences, earning P12 million on its opening day last May 27 and securing the biggest opening-day gross for a local film in 2026.

The romantic drama stars Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan and serves as Star Cinema’s 33rd anniversary offering. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the film presents a moving story about love, ambition, and the difficult choices that come with growing up and growing apart.

According to Garcia-Sampana, while the film explores a compelling “lovers to rivals” dynamic, its heart lies in reminding viewers that love remains worth believing in.

A Story of Love Tested by Dreams

At the center of the film are Cisco (Donny Pangilinan) and Cheska (Belle Mariano), a couple whose long-term relationship is challenged as their individual aspirations begin leading them in different directions.

As they face uncertainty about their future together, the two embark on a promised breakup trip. What begins as a final goodbye soon becomes a journey of reflection, forcing them to confront whether their relationship has reached its end or if their love deserves another chance.

Blending romance, heartache, and hope, the film captures the realities of modern relationships while exploring the sacrifices often required in pursuit of personal goals.

Expanding to More Audiences Worldwide

Following its strong local debut, “Tayo Sa Wakas” is currently showing in 250 cinemas across the Philippines. International screenings are also scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks.

The film will premiere in:
- Australia and New Zealand on June 11
- United States, Canada, and Guam on June 12
- Hong Kong and Macau on June 21
- Malaysia this June
- Taiwan beginning August 7
Screenings in the Middle East will be announced soon.

Catch “Tayo Sa Wakas” in Cinemas Now

Experience the emotional journey of Cheska and Cisco and discover why audiences are connecting with this heartfelt story of love, choices, and second chances.

“Tayo Sa Wakas” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

For more information, visit tayosawakas.com and follow Star Cinema on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
May 30, 2026
Belle Mariano & Donny Pangilinan Headline Viu Original “How to Spot a Red Flag” – A Captivating Catfish Love Story
What happens when your online crush turns out to be someone else entirely? That’s the intriguing question posed by Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag, starring Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan, and Jameson Blake. This modern Filipino love story delves into the complexities of catfishing, exploring the blurred lines between reality and deception in today’s digital age.

The Plot: Love, Lies, and Second Chances

Belle Mariano plays Cha Fontanilla, a relatable young woman who finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions after meeting Matt Flores (Donny Pangilinan) online. But there’s a catch—Matt isn’t the one she’s been talking to. It turns out his identity was stolen by his close friend, JR Valdez (Jameson Blake).

Instead of confronting JR, Matt decides to help his friend win over Cha. What follows is a tangled web of deceit, budding romance, and self-discovery as Cha and Matt begin to develop real feelings for one another. With a “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic, the show promises plenty of kilig moments, heartbreak, and surprises.

Fresh Faces, Stellar Performances

This series marks an exciting collaboration between Viu and ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, blending fresh storytelling with powerhouse talent.
- Belle Mariano: Known for her breakout roles in He’s Into Her and Can’t Buy Me Love, Belle brings depth and authenticity to Cha’s character.
- Donny Pangilinan: As Matt, Donny effortlessly captures the charm and vulnerability of a young man caught between loyalty and newfound love.
- Jameson Blake: With memorable performances in 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and Ang Babaeng Allergic Sa WiFi, Jameson adds complexity to JR’s character, making him more than just the antagonist.
A Story Set Against the Stunning Backdrop of La Union

Adding another layer of charm to the series is the breathtaking scenery of La Union, a popular surfing destination. The picturesque setting serves as a metaphor for the highs and lows of the characters’ emotional journeys while also tempting viewers to pack their bags for a beach getaway.

Why You Should Watch

This isn’t your typical love story. How to Spot a Red Flag brings to light issues many netizens face, from navigating online relationships to questioning the authenticity of the people we meet virtually. It’s a perfect mix of romance, drama, and real-life lessons wrapped up in a binge-worthy package.

The chemistry between Belle, Donny, and Jameson will leave you rooting for each of them, even as their characters struggle to untangle the mess of lies and half-truths.

Premiere Date

Catch the first episode of How to Spot a Red Flag on November 25, 2024, exclusively on Viu.

Don’t miss out—add it to your watchlist now and join the conversation about love, trust, and spotting the telltale signs of red flags.
November 28, 2024
MOVIE REVIEW: The Unflinching ‘An Inconvenient Love’ Showcases the Power of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan’s Love Team

There are three things that the film ‘An Inconvenient Love’ wants you to know within the first act of the film’s narrative. First, that this is a good old-fashion Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Films rom-com with all the magic that those qualifiers imply. Second, that the world is tough (with images of a rally and protest staged by workers against their employers juxtaposed by the struggles of the working class just getting to work everyday) and that in the hustle and bustle of daily living, really, love is such an inconvenience. It can derail everything. And thirdly, that the chemistry of lead stars Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan is electric and can light up a whole theater with their onscreen sparks.

There’s so much to enjoy in director Petersen Vargas’ ‘An Inconvenient Love.’ From the way it opens with real-world challenges (such as the aforementioned strike) and a revisiting of the typical rich boy-poor girl rom-com dynamic to the way with which the film pushes all that aside to make way for the romantic thrills that comes with the movie and how it all manages to get all these narrative points intertwined again for its dramatic ending. This film is a healing salve to these troubled times as it is not afraid to juxtapose pressing issues of labor and economic struggle with the highs and lows of romantic love. There is an escapism that is formed in the second act of the film when all the social awareness issues head to the background to focus on the kilig moments – when the film embraces its rom-com tone and atmosphere head on – but easily brings it back for its satisfying resolution.

It’s the story of a rich boy, Manny (Donny Pangilinan), who is a shop owner and is rebelling against his dad by supporting the workers of his dad’s company, who are on strike. Manny meets Ayef (Belle Mariano), a working student, whose dream is to finish school and work in Singapore. They meet on a bridge, with Manny running away from a protest gone violent and he asks for Ayef’s help to get away. It’s love at first sight for the two as the adrenaline from the situation heightens each other’s senses and they become fully aware of each other.

Both Manny and Ayef are attracted to each other but there are more practical concerns that need their more immediate attention. At this point in time, love really is an inconvenience and the film really finds interesting ways to highlight this.

But love is such a tempting escape and both decide to make a contract for a love that is convenient and practical; a contract that would not hinder both parties – Ayef most especially as she wants to continue her dreams of flying off to Singapore – from living their lives.

But that’s not how these things go and the film manages to explore the consequences wonderfully.

This is my first time watching Mariano and Pangilinan and I get it now. The chemistry is palpable. Pangilinan does have moments (usually his scenes without Mariano) where he’s not in the moment as I would like him to be but when he’s working a scene with Mariano, it’s pure magic. She, on the other hand, has a very un-self-conscious way about her that makes her feel so real and grounded. She doesn’t rely on pretty to make her character work and she’s so enjoyable to watch.

Amongst the ensemble, Teresa Loyzaga and Matet De Leon are the ones who truly stand out and don’t feel at all like supporting characters. They inhabit their characters so fully that you feel like you can make a separate film on just their characters alone.

Vargas does an incredible job at juggling the elements he’s working with and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the film. He even playfully plays around with some Kdrama tropes at the beginning of the film – the umbrella sequence, someone falling and someone catching the other, even mentions of Kpop fandom – but is quick to let it go once his movie is in full swing.

Overall, ‘An Inconvenient Love’ is such a return to form for ABS-CBN and Star Cinema. It’s vibrant and playful and unflinching to both its genre and its story’s own message.

My Rating:

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An Inconvenient Love is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Buy your tickets here.

December 1, 2022