“BRGY” host Bianca Gonzalez celebrated with the phenomenal Gen Z star, Belle Mariano, who is now on her 14th year in the world of entertainment.
Belle continues to be deserving of glowing remarks, particularly as one of the most “bankable leading ladies [in this generation],” Bianca emphasized.
Months after her contract with ABS-CBN was renewed in August 2025, she will next be seen on the big screen as a part of the main ensemble of Star Cinema’s upcoming Philippine family drama film, “Meet, Greet & Bye.”
The Kapamilya actress disclosed that the filming wrapped just a day before her “BRGY” guesting and that she has “felt everyone’s presence on set,” making it difficult to go on their separate ways as individual artists.
Since her early years, Belle has consistently held on to her dream of becoming an actress. At the age of eight, she began filming commercials and even appeared as a child star in ABS-CBN’s kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit.”
Belle also showed off some of her adorable antics to win her parents’ approval to try out for auditions. “Ako ‘yung tipong bata na I’ll massage my parents every night just so payagan nila akong umattend ng VTRs… [Para] payagan nila akong mag-audition sa commercials,” she shared.
After 14 years, Belle’s love for acting remained unwavering. The joy she used to get from performing and entertaining her Titas and Titos was something she kept as she grew older. “I get to inspire young girls too… I don’t see myself anywhere other than doing this,” she conveyed.
Belle’s reputation as “bankable” and “phenomenal” wasn’t created overnight; rather, it was developed through her dedication to every supporting role. She continues to emphasize how major and minor tasks of portrayals contribute to a project even after landing several lead roles. “Supporting role doesn’t mean [that] you’re less important… There will be a time [when] you will shine,” she added.
Instead of just being the ‘star’ of a show, Belle begins to delve deeper into her craft as an actress, displaying amazement over the behind-the-scenes staff for every production. During the media conference that followed her first contract signing with ABS-CBN on August 18, she mentioned that she is open to entering the field of directing.
“I wanna direct… [‘Yung mga directors] sila ‘yung glue na nagbo-bond sa lahat ng departments,” she explained. Other than being a director, Belle is also charmed by lighting on sets, identifying the ‘director of photography’ as her second preference.
Belle was also a gifted vocalist before the cameras were even set. Channeling her inner ‘director,’ she participated in the creative direction of one of her music videos for her song “Somber and Solemn.”
“I’ve dipped my toes in doing creative for them… All my ideas nagawa ko doon,” she replied with delight.
In “BRGY’s” mini-game segment, Belle was asked to dedicate lyrics from one of her songs to the displayed photos or descriptions on screen. A picture of her younger self from the 2012 teleserye “Lorenzo's Time” was displayed as the first image.
For this, Belle chose “Little World Changer” as the accompanying song. “If I can talk to her again, I’d say just keep pursuing your dreams. You’re gonna get to where you want to be,” she adds, reminiscing.
The second image featured her longtime “ka-loveteam,” Donny Pangilinan. She made sure that the music for the picture was their duet song, “Sigurado,” from their teen romance movie “He's Into Her.”
Currently doing individual projects after the 5 years of DonBelle, she highlights that there is still a special bond between the two of them, as they experienced their career breakthroughs together. “Talagang, throughout those years, he’s really [been] a close person to me,” she emphasized.
Rather than the final picture, a brief description was asked about her favorite role. Belle details that she connected to every single one of her roles, but the most memorable for sure was her portrayal of Cara, from another DonBelle-starred film, “Love Is Color Blind.” Never missing a song choice, she opted for “For Your Eyes Only” as the accompaniment.
When asked about the people she values the most, the actress picked her family. Being the eldest of five siblings, she tries to be a good “ate” even though she is frequently away on acting projects. “Wala kasi ako palagi sa bahay… [Kaya] when I get those chances or opportunities na I [would] get to spend time with them, I really make the most out of it,” she elaborated.
She made her family’s dream home a reality, encouraging each of her siblings to design their own rooms, illustrating her generosity once again. “I want them to feel comfortable and feel at home,” she said, smiling.
Belle, who says that one of her dream roles is to play a “bida-kontrabida” role where the conflict is within her, put on her kontrabida face as Lavinia from the 1985 movie “Bituing Walang Ningning” before concluding the “BRGY” interview.
For the question of the day, host Bianca asked how Belle keeps herself strong when setbacks persist. “For me at least, it’s important that you acknowledge the main problem first, and from there I think that’s one step towards betterment. [Also,] surround yourself with people that support you and remind you that you will make it,” she answered.