Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano are preparing for what could be the most defining chapter of their partnership yet, as their upcoming Star Cinema film Tayo Sa Wakas is set to become their last project together for the time being.
The longtime screen tandem, widely known as DonBelle, revealed the decision during their guest appearance on Bianca Gonzalez’s video podcast Paano Ba ‘To?!, where they were promoting the Cathy Garcia-Sampana-directed romantic drama scheduled for release on May 27.
Rather than framing the pause as an ending, both actors positioned it as a necessary step toward personal and professional growth.
Belle explained that the film strongly reflects where they currently stand in life. At its core, Tayo Sa Wakas explores self-discovery, individuality, and the importance of understanding one’s own identity before fully sharing life with someone else.
That theme, she noted, mirrors their real-life situation.
Donny expanded on the idea by emphasizing that love is not only about nurturing a relationship with another person, but also about learning how to value oneself. He pointed out that people often focus so much on romantic connection that they neglect personal growth, which can weaken rather than strengthen a partnership.
He compared it to building a house on an unstable foundation. No matter how beautiful the structure appears from the outside, it cannot stand securely if the base is incomplete. In the same way, two people still struggling to understand themselves may find it harder to sustain something healthy together.
It was from that realization that both stars agreed Tayo Sa Wakas would serve as their final DonBelle project for now.
The announcement surprised even Bianca Gonzalez during the interview, but Belle immediately clarified that the choice was mutual. There was no conflict behind it, only a shared understanding that stepping back would allow them to grow individually and explore new opportunities outside the love team that has defined much of their careers.
Both admitted the decision initially brought fear.
For years, DonBelle has been one of ABS-CBN’s most bankable pairings, beginning with the massive success of He’s Into Her in 2021. That momentum continued through projects such as An Inconvenient Love, Love Is Color Blind, Can’t Buy Me Love, and How to Spot a Red Flag.
Walking away, even temporarily, from something so successful naturally comes with uncertainty.
Still, Donny said they are choosing to support each other through the transition instead of resisting it. He described the experience as difficult, especially while filming a project that symbolizes an unknown next chapter, but said going through it together made the process more meaningful.
He also expressed pride in everything they had built as a team over the past several years, saying Tayo Sa Wakas felt like the right project to close this phase of their journey.
Belle shared the same sentiment, describing the moment as both frightening and exciting. She said the emotional weight of knowing this would be their final collaboration for now pushed them to commit even more deeply to delivering their best performance.
Outside of the love team, both actors have already started establishing separate creative paths.
Donny appeared in GG: Good Game and the action series Roja, while Belle expanded her solo portfolio through Huling Sayaw, Click, Like, Share, Incognito, and Meet, Greet & Bye.
Their decision signals a shift that many love teams eventually face: the transition from shared branding to individual artistic identity.
For DonBelle fans, Tayo Sa Wakas is no longer just another film release. It now carries the weight of a milestone, serving as both a cinematic farewell and a bridge toward whatever comes next for Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano as artists on their own.
The film opens in Philippine cinemas on May 27.
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