Belle on doing film without Donny: It’s growth

March 2, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actress-singer Belle Mariano is reportedly set to collaborate with blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Sampana on a full-length feature film.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, the two recently met alongside ABS-CBN Films executives to discuss the project.

Belle expressed both excitement and nerves about the film, which she revealed will feature a stellar cast, including those she has never worked before.

“Ako po kinakabahan ako. All I can say is this is gonna be a star-studded film, I’m gonna be with artists who I really look up to in the industry and working with Direk again, it’s really such an honor because I know every step of the way, I will learn from Direk and with other artists as well,” Belle shared.

This marks the third time Belle and direk Cathy will be working together, with the latter having previously played a role in some of the actress’ projects alongside her perennial on-screen partner, Donny Pangilinan.

Direk Cathy is best known for directing three of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time — “Hello, Love, Again,” “Hello, Love, Goodbye” and “The Hows of Us.”

“Sabi niya, never pa niyang nakatrabaho ‘yung ibang makakatrabaho niya dito. So, it excites me paano kaya ‘yung dynamics on set. Ngayon na mas batikan na ‘yung mga katrabaho niya, tignan natin kung lalapit-lapit pa siya… doon na siya sa mga batikan na lalapit at hihingi ng tips,” the filmmaker said.

The young actress agreed, acknowledging the challenges and growth this project will bring, “I feel like, in everything that I do, as much as I can I try to enlighten myself with things I don’t know yet. And I try to learn more, this is gonna be an unusual set-up.”

Belle also shared her thoughts about working without her reel partner for the first time.

“I’ve been working with Donny for so long and this is the first time that I’m doing a film on my own and I would say it’s growth. Something scary but I’m really excited for it.”