MANILA -- After 14 years in the industry, actress Belle Mariano will remain a Kapamilya as she signed her first-ever network contract with ABS-CBN on Monday, August 18.
Present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, chairman Mark Lopez, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, CFO Rick Tan, and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi. Mariano's manager Edith Fariñas was also present.
Dubbed as the New Gen Phenomenal Actress, Mariano is considered one of the brightest stars of her generation and has proven herself not only in acting but also in music, concert and endorsements.
In the signing event, Mariano turned emotional as she shared her message to ABS-CBN, family, supporters, and fans.
"The message that I really want to tell everyone out there is it's not going to be an easy journey. There are times that you fall and you fail. Ito na naiiyak na ako -- but just believe in yourself. Because throughout the 14 years I would say that it wasn't easy for me but nakakataba ng puso because I was surrounded with amazing people and I'm just so grateful to them. To our ABS-CBN bosses, thank you so much. I've been waiting for this opportunity. To my mom, thank you. Thank you mom, you've made me a stronger person, thank you so much," said Mariano, who also thanked her management and glam team.
"Lastly to my supporters, maraming-maraming salamat because you guys are really the inspiration why I do this. You are the reason why I do this. I just want to say that don't let your fear stop you from pursuing what you love doing because yes you will fall but then you will also rise. And just keep believing and have that heart and have that faith in you because you will achieve great things and you are capable of so many things," aded Mariano, who wants to be known as "someone who pursued her dreams."
Prior to inking the contract, Mariano received surprise video messages from her fellow Kapamilya artists including Piolo Pascual, Alexa Ilacad and her onscreen partner Donny Pangilinan, as well as filmmakers Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Mae Cruz-Alviar.
"Working with Belle for so long, I really can see how much she's changed, how much she's grown as a person, as a woman, as an actress. When I first worked with her, magaling na siyang artista, sobrang galing na niya, but she never stops looking for opportunities, for growth and for her to learn more," said Pangilinan, who's excited to see the projects that Mariano will do.
In the media conference after the contract signing, Mariano revealed that aside from a new film, she is set to release an album and will be gearing up for a birthday concert.
As an actress, Mariano said: "I would say ang dami ko pang gustong gawing roles. I've never done anything na 'yun nga something bida-kontrabida, which I mentioned, horror. That's something I want to do. I won't limit myself into something, I really want to learn and grow and want to challenge myself."
Mariano also shared her hope to do projects behind the camera in the future.
She also described her journey as Kapamilya for 14 years: "Growth. I would say that it's growth because all throughout the years what I really went through, like there are times na magiging mahirap talaga. There are times na you will fall and may times talaga na mapanghihinaan ka ng loob. But then you rise above it so it makes you a stronger person and I think those experiences molded me into who I am today. So I would say it's growth. Being a Kapamilya for me is growth and I'm so grateful to be in this family."
Mariano started as a child star at the age of nine. A former castmember of the kiddie gag show "Goin' Bulilit," Mariano starred in various ABS-CBN dramas before starring in the series "He's Into Her" (2021) with Pangilinan, which is considered her biggest break.
Also in 2021, Mariano released her debut album "Daylight," then starred in the movies "Love is Color Blind" and "An Inconvenient Love" with Pangilinan.
In 2023, Mariano and Pangilinan were the lead stars of the hit series "Can't Buy Me Love." She also staged her concert "Beloved."
Last year, Mariano recorded "Anong Daratnan," which is a special end credit song for the Philippine release of Disney's animated movie "Moana 2."
Also last year, Mariano and Pangilinan starred in the original Viu series "How To Spot A Red Flag."
Early this year, Mariano made headlines with her cameo performance in hit action series "Incognito" as Takako Rai.
Currently, Mariano is part of the upcoming family drama "Meet, Greet & Bye!" alongside Maricel Soriano, Piolo Pascual, Joshua Garcia. and JK Labajo.
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