Being a successful love team requires the perfect amount of coordination, communication, and kilig. That's something that Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan affirmed during the press conference of their new Viu Original series, How To Spot A Red Flag.
The two who are also known as the love team DonBelle, faced the media along with some of their fans called Bubblies on November 25, 2024. The connection between Belle and Donny is undeniably strong—their pairing began in 2019 and they've already produced back-to-back hit projects.
So when asked if they ever rehearse their kilig scenes, Belle and Donny openly shared their truthful explanation. Donny began expounding on the matter, admitting that whatever kilig their viewers feel from watching them, it's not something that they could control nor practice. "Yung kilig hindi nare-rehearse 'yun," Donny first said. He assured everything that makes it to the final cut of their projects—specifically for How To Spot a Red Flag—is something that happened naturally.
Donny furthered, "After working with each other, I think with this specific series, yes we rehearse lines and stuff or yung actions but for the most part, ang ginawa namin and Direk also allowed us to have this free space that whatever happens sa eksena, 'yun na lang 'yung mangyari. Kasi kung masyado mong ire-rehearse 'yung mga kilig, 'yung mga tinginan, hindi na magiging natural."
Echoing Donny's thoughts, Belle stated, "You can't fake it eh. Hindi mo naman pwedeng i-peke 'yung kilig eh." The 22-year-old actress also admitted that she does feel it during their scenes. "Yeah totoo, kinikilig ako sa scenes namin," Belle declared.
So if there's kilig between the two, is it possible that real romance has been brewing between the two celebrities? Belle and Donny respectfully expressed how good their friendship and working relationship is. Belle highlighted, "I'm just so grateful that I have him in my life."
Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan's How To Spot a Red Flag
How To Spot a Red Flag is the fifth collaboration project between Viu Philippines and ABS-CBN. But this is actually the first original story from the production houses, including Dreamscape Entertainment as well.
The series, directed by Dwein Baltazar (Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus, Third World Romance) revolves around the story of Cha Fontanilla (portrayed by Belle) and Matt Flores (played by Donny). It begins with Cha (the marupok) gradually falling for a smart dude she met online—only to find out that he's been catfishing her. Amid all the lies and pretends, will Cha and Matt truly fall for each other?
You can find out on Viu as they release two episodes of How to Spot A Red Flag every week. You can also catch exclusive behind-the-scenes clips of DonBelle every Friday on Viu's official YouTube channel.
