“Just start.” “Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore.”
These are what Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, collectively known as “DonBelle,” said when asked for their advice to people who would want to start biking or surfing—two sports that they turned into hobbies, which they enthusiastically discussed in this exclusive video.
Those who have been following Donny on social media have surely seen posts of him going on rides with his bike. According to him, it actually started when his family, comprised of his parents Anthony and Maricel and his siblings Ella, Hannah, Benj, and Solana—a.k.a. “Team Pangilinan”—used to compete in triathlons in their younger years. Thus, they would train in swimming, biking, and running together.
However, it was biking in which he has become more passionate about due to the influence of his dad, who used to bike in long distances and tag him along with him. In fact, the farthest that they’d gone together was 80 kilometers when he was just 12 years old.
“All the way until now, biking has always been something na when I just want to do something active outside the house and go somewhere a bit far, ‘yon ang ginagawa [ko],” he related.
When asked what he likes about the sport, Donny said that it would be getting do it with groups, and experiencing the culture within specific group of cyclists whenever they’re altogether. Besides, it also satisfies his predilection in going to various places with splendid views helps him to stay fit and healthy since it’s good for the body, specifically for the heart.
Photo credit to Donny Pangilinan IG
Furthermore, it’s through cycling that he’s able to try new roads and have different experiences, like immersing into new communities or areas, wherein they get to feel the hospitality of the people. Succinctly, it’s the feeling of being free in an area that he doesn’t get to frequently see or visit.
Meanwhile, Belle imparted that it was during their lock-in taping in La Union for “How To Spot A Red Flag,” when her love for surfing got enkindled, which she and Donny both developed and eventually loved.
Photo credit to Belle Mariano IG
She confessed that even though she loves the ocean, she still has fear of seawater due to the huge waves and strong current, just like the ones that can be experienced in La Union. However, when she tried surfing, Belle has found it really fun as she feels like floating on water by allowing it to control her while riding on riding surfboard.
It was actually their co-star, seasoned actress and surfing enthusiast Mylene Dizon, who taught them a lot about surfing, as well as introduced them to the locals who are professional and competitive surfers.
While surfing can also be considered a form of workout, Belle said that it doesn’t feel like it for her as she absolutely enjoys it. Besides, developing and practicing her surfing skills has allowed her to meet new people and be introduced to a community that she’s never been introduced to before. It also provides her with free tan, as Donny quipped, and helps relieve her stress.
For his advice to people who want to try biking, Donny encouraged them to “just start” and never let their fears and inhibitions stop them from doing so because they’ll never know if they can do it or not unless they take their first pedal. He added, “It’s just about getting yourself out there and see if you like it or not.”
Belle seconded it by saying, “Do not be afraid to try new things. Maybe biking or surfing isn’t for you, pero there’s always something for you na mae-enjoy mo talaga. So, don’t be afraid to try new things and explore.”