Belle Mariano on first project sans Donny, new career goals

September 10 ------ For Belle Mariano, this season of her life is all about growth, from taking on new career challenges, exploring opportunities beyond DonBelle, to ticking off dreams for her family.

The STAR felt her excitement over entering what could be best described as a fresh chapter in her life during an intimate interview about her recent contract signing with ABS-CBN. “I’m so excited, actually, ’cause this is the first-ever contract that I have with ABS-CBN, and I think this just solidifies that I am forever Kapamilya. So I’m very proud of it, and I’m very excited (of what’s to come),” Belle shared.

Having been in showbiz since she was nine, she knows very well that sustaining a career here requires constant learning. “I feel like I want to do something that would really teach me, you know? Throughout my acting journey, I want to learn more. Every project that I join, that’s my goal really — to learn more,” she said. “And hopefully, after this contract signing, I will take on roles that will truly challenge me as an actress. I just want to explore what I can do pa.”

This hunger for growth has led her to work alongside industry veterans such as Maricel Soriano, Piolo Pascual, and director Cathy Garcia-Sampana in the movie “Meet, Greet, Bye.” She said of the shoot experience: “Wow, when we first started shooting, of course, I felt nervous. It’s nerve-wracking because it’s the Diamond Star, Papa P, and then Direk Cathy. But because of our long days shooting together, they really became like family to me on set. “I can say that on and off set, we couldn’t be separated. It’s nice because it’s like I also gained mentors. I look up to them; they’re very caring. I really know that throughout this movie, I will learn a lot from them. I’m so excited for you guys to actually watch it.”

The film is Belle’s first project without Donny Pangilinan, her perennial co-star and love-team partner. Since their first series together, “He’s Into Her,” their tandem has built a devoted fanbase, and their projects have consistently performed well. “At first, I would admit that I was nervous because this is my first project without Donny for how long? For five years? But at the same time, he has been very supportive. We’ve been vocal about it, that we’re there for each other. As long as both of us grow, whether that’s together or apart, we’re gonna be there to support one another,” she said.

“Actually, he visited us on set. It’s nice because he said, ‘Ah, so this is how you shoot.’ He was surprised because he didn’t expect that I had already become that close to my co-stars. “At first, I was really shy, and then our chemistry really developed. On set, it’s really like a family, so there wasn’t much adjustment. There was some adjustment at the beginning, of course, as I was still feeling my way through.” Working solo doesn’t mean stepping away from DonBelle. They are set to collaborate on another project after this film, she revealed.

Nevertheless, “Meet, Greet, Bye” fulfills her desire for another family-oriented film after “Four Sisters Before the Wedding,” although this time with more mature themes given the challenges the characters face. “There are many,” she said of other roles and genres she wants to try. “(I want to experience becoming) bida-kontrabida. I haven’t done horror, so hopefully that, too. Action, you never know. I really just want to do something that would challenge me.”

Off-screen, Belle has achieved a personal milestone: building a home for her family, a dream she’s had since her child-star days. “At first, I couldn’t imagine it. I wondered, will I even believe it? Is it just a drawing? But it’s so nice because it took us two years to build that home. And of course, it’s so nice to wake up in a place you envisioned, something you really dreamed of,” she proudly gushed. “Finally, I’m actually sleeping there — I’m going home there. Every time I go home from work or taping, the house is there, and I look forward to seeing my family and eating together at one table.

Source: philstar.com