Gen Z Superstar Belle Mariano is stepping into another exciting chapter as a music artist with the release of her latest album Like You.
Already known as one of the most sought-after young artists of her generation, Belle continues to prove that she is more than just a leading lady on screen. Seamlessly balancing music and film, she recently dropped her newest album while also preparing for her much-anticipated big-screen return with Donny Pangilinan in the romantic drama Tayo Sa Wakas.
Speaking with PUSH ABS-CBN during the Star Magic Spotlight Presscon on February 23, Belle shared how her preparation as a singer is rooted in a childhood filled with music. Long before the cameras and scripts, it was the “videoke” that she says shaped her love for singing and kept the dream alive through the years.
“I grew up using the videoke, parang ‘yun yung naging practice ko, sa totoo lang. As in laking videoke talaga ako. So parang hindi siya nawala sa akin, I’ve always wanted to pursue music,” she shared.
Belle also opened up about how different music feels compared to acting, especially as she has been on screen for more than a decade already and only released her first song four years ago. For her, music becomes a space where emotions are freely expressed — something she finds both comforting and creatively fulfilling.
“Sobrang iba niya sa acting kasi feeling ko [kapag] acting, meron nang character, naka-plot [na] ‘yung story ng character mo, alam mo na ‘yung pupuntahan. Pero sa music kasi ikaw ‘yung magna-navigate ng story mo on your own which is so nice [kasi] para siyang nagiging diary. And ang ganda kasi nung thought na we’re able to translate our emotions through music. I’ve always loved [that] idea [coming from] sa karaoke dreams ko.”
When asked which craft she finds more challenging, Belle candidly said both come with their own hurdles.
“Pareho. Siyempre may sari-sarili silang challenges. Kasi kapag acting, mata [yung ginagamit]. Pero dito kasi, when you’re singing, nararamdaman ‘yung emotion. For this album, since happy ‘yung album na ‘to, happy kami the whole recording.”
For Belle, the heart of the album goes beyond inspiration. She revealed that relatability was the main focus, hoping listeners would find themselves in the songs and feel the warmth that love brings.
“More than inspiration, we wanted to focus on the relatability of the album. We wanted people that listen to it to be able to relate to it and take inspiration, ‘di ba? Love is a universal language so parang gusto lang namin na ‘yung listeners namin to feel kilig, to feel love, and that’s the tone of the album.”
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Although Belle did not write any of the songs on “Like You,” she admitted that songwriting is a dream she hopes to finally achieve. She shared that while she has tried writing in the past, finishing a song remains a challenge she wants to overcome.
“Hopefully, gusto ko. I really want to. Sabi ko nga ‘sana matutunan ko talaga’. If there’s one thing I want to learn, it’s to write talaga. Nagsulat na ako before ng dalawa pero kasi I think that’s still something I want to learn. Kasi ako magaling ako na maumpisahan ko siya eh pero hindi ko siya matapos.”
“Hopefully, sana this year maybe, sana makatapos ako ng kanta,” she maintained.
As she continues to pursue her music career, Belle also shared the artists she dreams of collaborating with. Internationally, she expressed admiration for Grammy award-winning singer Olivia Dean, whose sound she feels matches the light and feel-good vibe of her album.
“Oh my gosh, [si] Olivia Dean. I love Olivia Dean. I love her songs. Parang ganon nga rin yung vibe ng album (Like You) ‘di ba? Very light. Ang ganda rin kasi ng music niya. Alam niyo ‘yung napapangiti ka kapag napapakinggan mo.”
She also hopes to collaborate with local acts such as Cup of Joe and the nation’s girl group BINI, exciting fans with the possibilities of future musical pairings.
Meanwhile, Belle is set to return to the big screen with Donny on Tayo Sa Wakas, which she described as her most emotional role yet. She shared how the project immediately challenged and excited her.
“I feel like this one is more emotional, mas puno ng emosyon. Feeling ko sobrang macha-challenge ako sa role na ‘to. But I’m excited for that challenge,” she said. “Nung pinitch kasi sa 'kin, may jaw-drop moment na ‘What?!’”
She also praised Donny for his dedication and support, even when they are working on different projects.
“Kitang-kita mo ‘yung puso the way nagtatrabaho siya… And he never fails to surprise me and us, actually,” said Belle.
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, Tayo Sa Wakas is set to hit cinemas in May.