While filming their upcoming series Can’t Buy Me Love, loveteam Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano — popularly known as DonBelle — were able to discover and see more of each other’s passion and dedication to their craft.
In a press conference, Donny shared how good Belle is as an actress in the projects that they’ve done.
“(In this series), I was able to discover na kaya pa pala niyang maging mas mahusay. Ang galing. I thought that, you know, she’s been in the industry for quite some time. (She’s been here) ever since she was a kid, she knows her craft, yung atake niya ganun na lang. But no, she always surprises me and everyone with the performances she gives,” he said.
“It’s more of a surprise to me na yung mga binibigay niya sa mga scenes, she can do more, mas magaling and mas nag-exert pa ng ibang atake,” added Donny.
“It’s always a proud moment for me when I see that.”
For Belle, it’s Donny who inspires her to do better every time.
“For me mas nagiging evident kung gaano siya ka pursigido sa ginagawa niya. Like all the more I work with him, it actually also inspires me to work even harder, so I’m happy to go through this journey with him.”
Can’t Buy Me Love will premiere on Oct. 13 on Netflix or 72 hours before its TV premiere and on Oct. 14 on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and iwanttfc.com or 48 hours before its broadcast premiere. It will air starting Oct. 16 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, Cinemo, TFC IPTV, and TV5.
Produced by Star Creatives and helmed by Mae Cruz Alviar (Make It with You, 2 Good 2 Be True), the series is about Bingo (Donny), a hard-working seller who wants to save up to P1M after his mother left him, and Caroline (Belle), the black sheep of a wealthy Filipino Chinese family. Their worlds will collide after Bingo saves Caroline from the kidnappers who left her almost drowning.
The cast members also include veteran actors such as Nova Villa, Celeste Legaspi, Agot Isidro, Rowell Santiago, and Ruffa Gutierrez. They are joined by Maris Racal, Albie Casiño, Kaila Estrada, Joao Constancia, Karina Bautista, Vivoree, and Darren.
It’s the first time that Belle will play a rich girl character and Donny the opposite.
“There are a lot of new (stuff to see in the series),” explained Donny on how Can’t Buy Me Love is different from their previous projects. “I think more of the question is what the similarities are because there are so many changes and there (are) so many new things in this series that you haven’t seen in our past projects.”
Echoing what director Ian Lorenos said, Donny said that the series is not the normal romantic-comedy fare. “There are diverse genres, actually one show (with) rom-com, drama, action, thriller, mystery, everything that you can think of.”
“You will feel varied emotions when you watch it. And you will also ask questions at the end of show like what will happen next? So, it’s nice that we’re able to portray challenges that are challenging to us. And we give a different flavor of kilig, chemistry (here) na hindi namin nabibigay dati.”
On what makes DonBelle stay strong as a loveteam, director Mae pointed out that the onscreen partners have a “very transparent and evident chemistry.”
“I mean, the audiences see their chemistry that’s why kinikilig sila. That’s how they started. And they have good dynamics, they work very well together… like clockwork na. When they have scenes, they work well together. It’s like yin and yang. They have that kind of partnership and you see it on screen.”
She reiterated DonBelle’s “oozing chemistry.”
“That’s the magic. Magic na hindi nabibili. You ‘can’t buy me’ chemistry. Hahaha!” she said and noted how the two were able to sustain that “magic” that makes fans kilig.
“Sobrang nakakataba ng puso every time we hear stuff like that,” reacted Donny. “For us, the most important thing talaga is we are here as a team and we are here to support each other, so the fact that we’re given these types of blessings and the opportunity to tell stories, we really don’t take it lightly.
“We really do our best to give it our all. Because at the end of the day, we really wanna provide quality entertainment for everyone, and to provide quality stories that we can share for every generation.
“So, I think we are just being ourselves. I really don’t know honestly how to answer the question sometimes, but I’m just very blessed to go through this with you (Belle). And I hope you, guys, see that in this and I hope that reflects what the story is all about.”
Belle added, “We are both grateful to be here. Thank you very much. I think a factor, too, is being aligned with one another, being aligned (in the sense) that we both have the same goal and that is to deliver a great project. And I just can’t wait for you, guys, to watch Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Asked if it’s okay to go on a date even if you’re broke, Belle simply answered, “Yeah because love cannot be measured by money, so it’s OK.”
Donny agreed and offered, “But I also think that you should also be aligned with your partner. So, if your goals are aligned na yung focus niyong dalawa is mag-date-date muna. Kasi ang hirap nun kung gusto niyo rin mag-settle eh, wala rin kayong parang savings and stuff. So, it depends on like what you both agree on. But Belle is right. You don’t need money para magmahal (to love).”