Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, otherwise known as DonBelle, have undeniable chemistry when playing as a couple. Since last year, they’ve been bringing “kilig” to Filipino fans worldwide with the youth-oriented romantic comedy series He’s Into Her.
However, their journey as Max (Belle) and Deib (Donny) in the series is about to end as the show nears its finale.
“Itong He’s Into Her will [really] leave a mark sa akin. They truly have become my family. Sobrang thankful ako sa naging journey ko. It has taught me [so] much, not just with my character but lahat ng stories ng characters namin dito,” Belle said during the He’s Into Her Season 2 Finale Assembly.
She added that she’d miss her journey with the cast and how they bonded together during their lock-in taping. They would work out and eat together, sometimes making it challenging for director Chad Vidanes when he would request an all-cast presence on set.
“Direk, mamimiss mo rin yung pahirap namin sa’yo,” Belle jokingly said to Vidanes.
Meanwhile, Donny is slowly grasping the reality that this will be the last time they’ll all be working together.
“Nag-flashback sa akin mga first moments namin together. Despite so much that has happened to the world, to the country, these guys were here for each other. We were all here for each other. We never gave up, and we made sure that, at the end of the day, we put smiles on peoples’ faces and hope to give the audience a series they deserve to watch,” he said.
The He’s Into Her leading man also considers the experience memorable. More importantly, it changed him as an actor.
“I was able to see the world in Deib’s shoes. I also matured in the way I’d approach scenes, the way I see scripts, and the way I would approach my craft…Parang na-feel ko talaga na nag-iba ‘yung mindset ko about things,” Donny said.
Belle shares the same sentiments in acting but added that she also learned a lot from her character’s experience and how she can apply it in real life.
Although many fans wish for a third season of He’s Into Her, head writer and producer Vanessa Valdez confirmed it’s the last episode for the entire series.
“Ganoon din yung feeling ko nung first season, so akala ko, ‘yun din yung last. But for this season, we wrote and directed it that it’s [really] going to be the finale,” she said.
Yet as the cast of He’s Into Her bids farewell to the small screen, they won’t go out without a bang. After all, they’ve brought fans along their journey and incurred various emotions, like happiness, “kilig,” sadness, etc., through their scenes.
As a way of giving back, the cast will have a last hurrah at the HIH: All-Access finale concert on August 27 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Catch the final episode of He’s Into Her Season 2 on August 3, 8:00 p.m. on the iWantTFC app and website.