Having enormous throngs of fans supporting them in everything that they do individually and together and being entrusted with awesome projects and brand endorsements one after another, there’s definitely no doubt that Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, collectively known as DonBelle, are tagged as the “Phenomenal Loveteam” of their generation.
And since they’re among the famous personalities and on-screen pairs in the local entertainment scene at present, not to mention that they are celebrating their second year as an onscreen pair this 2023, let’s look back on some of their kilig moments caught on cam in this Kapamilya Snaps feature!
They may have come from different walks of life – with Donny being a scion of a prominent showbiz clan in the country, while Belle coming from an ordinary family – but fate has its enchanting way of making their paths intertwine. As we all know, Belle has been an actress ever since she was nine years old, with Goin’ Bulilit and Lorenzo’s Time as two of her earliest well-loved stints. Donny, on the other hand, first appeared in a TV commercial along with his mom Maricel Laxa, then became more known through his gig as a MYX VJ in 2018.
After taking on a number of different projects since their respective debuts and being paired with other artists their age, the two were finally given the chance to work together in the teen romantic comedy series He’s Into Her, which is based on the 2012 novel of the same title by Maxinejiji.
Donny and Belle brought life to the characters of Deib Lohr Enrile and Maxpein Zin Luna, respectively, two high schoolers whose incessant cat-and-dog one-upmanship eventually turned into a kilig romantic affair. Due to their notable chemistry, “DonBelle” was born and the series was bestowed a second season, which aired in April 2022.
With their team-up’s promising success, they were tapped to headline two movies. First was “Love Is Color Blind” in December 2021, wherein they played the roles of best friends-turned-lovers Cara and Ino, then “An Inconvenient Love” in November 2022, in which they got us kilig as Ayef and Manny, two strangers who both believed that love is just another inconvenience and agreed to a contractual relationship.
They may be new, but that didn’t hinder them from snagging the German Moreno Power Tandem of the Year during the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television held last January.
While they have shared tons of thrilling scenes together in their TV and movie appearances, but for some of their fans, they find the two’s off-set moments sweeter. Who would forget that time when they amused us with their twinning dinosaur onesies for Halloween 2021, as well as when they dressed up as Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in 2022?
The pair also had a quick trip to United Arab Emirates in December 2022 together with Donny’s younger sister Hannah and their friends like Kyle Echarri and AC Bonifacio. Aside from being able to mingle with their supporters during the premiere of their big screen debut “An Inconvenient Love,” they also had the chance to watch the concert of American singer-rapper Post Malone and snap a cool photo with him!
As one of the brightest stars in the country today, DonBelle was also part of the Star Magic 30th Anniversary: Beyond the Stars US Tour last year. And in between their shows and travels in New York City, San Francisco City, and Los Angeles City, the two made sure to treat their fans to their cute moments, especially that it was their first-ever together.
They also won over the hearts of their adoring fans during the basketball events of the Star Magic All-Star Games in 2022 and this year. Donny thanked Belle for being the “best cheerleader” and even offered her the medal he got from his exemplary performance last year. Further fueling the kilig of their supporters was when she wore his old jersey from his varsity player days in high school.
Donny’s team, Star Magic, might have lost this year to Team It’s Showtime, but their ardent shippers still felt victorious because they got to see them and their kilig moments on the sidelines, especially when they emerged to the court together as the banner bearers of Team Star Magic.
Last March 31, DonBelle thrilled us when they graced the first-ever Star Magical Prom, fascinating us with their mesmerizing looks that truly complemented one another. Thus, it didn’t really come as a surprise when they were crowned the Prom King and Queen at the end of the whimsical night.
And just recently, the tandem attended the Star Magic 30 Catalogue launch, swooning us with their majestic presence. Donny was totally debonair in his printed button-down long-sleeves blue shirt, black pants, and black leather shoes, while Belle transformed into a doll in her pink mini dress, pink heels, and off-white handbag.
As for their next project, DonBelle is reportedly all set for their first teleserye together, “Can’t Buy Me Love” – and we’re definitely looking forward to see it!
Are you a fan of Donny and Belle, too, Kapamilya? Which of these DonBelle moments caught on camera is your favorite?