Ysabel Mariz Austria

A trip down Donny Pangilinan’s starring roles leading up to ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’

Article (news)

Xian Oquendo

<p>Every actor has a role that feels like a turning point and, for Donny Pangilinan, &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/4/30/all-about-tayo-sa-wakas-2029?fbclid=IwY2xjawRih3hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9PoNpHNMkIUcjGQNxj5SKI4OAPTPKF_olGi5xtqN-SwJK8Uadh9m_hh7CUg_aem_KfUP74ibzr1Ahja--YR8Sg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tayo Sa Wakas</a>&quot; may just be that chapter. But before stepping into the role of Cisco Serrano, he already played dreamers, lovers, fighters, and young men still figuring life out. </p><p>As Donny enters a more mature chapter alongside Belle Mariano in Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s newest romance drama, let’s revisit the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ABSstarcinema" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">roles</a> that shaped his journey before “Tayo Sa Wakas”. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Leonardo in ‘Alamat ng Ano: F3’ (2018) </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174402460Donny Pangilinan in Alamat ng Ano F3.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>Early on in his career, Donny showcased his lighter and more comedic side in the online anthology series “Alamat ng Ano”. In the episode “F3”, he played Leonardo, one-third of a trio of campus heartthrobs whose antics revolve around intimidating female student Chunchai (Kira Balinger).</p><div> </div><div><strong>Dave in ‘James and Pat and Dave’ (2020) </strong></div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174418660Donny Pangilinan in James and Pat and Dave.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Romance quickly took center stage when Donny joined the love triangle of “James and Pat and Dave”. As Dave, the ex-boyfriend of Pat (Loisa Andalio), he finds himself competing with James (Ronnie Alonte) for a second chance at love. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Deib in ‘He’s Into Her’ (2021-2022) </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174469779Donny Pangilinan in He&#x27;s Into Her.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Everything shifted with the teen romcom series “He’s Into Her” where Donny first teamed up with Belle in what would become one of today’s most beloved screen pairings. As Deib, the basketball varsity captain of Benison International School, Donny embodied the campus heartthrob whose world gets unexpectedly shaken by Max (Belle), the outspoken new girl from the province. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Ino in ‘Love Is Color Blind’ (2021) </strong></div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174483458Donny Pangilinan in Love is Color Blind.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>A more emotionally grounded Donny emerged in “Love Is Color Blind”. Playing Ino, a young man grappling with colorblindness and grief after a tragic accident takes his mother’s life, Donny leaned into a softer, more introspective performance. </p><p>With the help of his childhood friend Cara (Belle), Ino slowly rediscovers beauty, art, and healing. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Manny in ‘An Inconvenient Love’ (2022) </strong></div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174779720Donny Pangilinan in An Inconvenient Love.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>In “An Inconvenient Love”, Donny entered more mature territory as Manny, a man navigating an unconventional relationship with Ayef (Belle), knowing from the beginning that their love comes with an expiration date. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Bingo in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ (2023–2024) </strong></div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174793097Donny Pangilinan in Can&#x27;t Buy Me Love.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Donny expanded his range further in “Can’t Buy Me Love”, marking the first time he headlined a primetime teleserye. As Bingo, a hardworking and street-smart young man from Binondo, Donny balanced humor, heart, and emotional depth while helping Caroline (Belle) navigate long-buried family secrets.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Matt in ‘How to Spot a Red Flag’ (2024-2025) <br/></strong></div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174806378Donny Pangilinan in How to Spot a Red Flag.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Donny returned to romantic comedy in the series “How to Spot a Red Flag” — but with a playful twist! As the charming Matt, he finds himself caught in romantic chaos involving the barista Cha (Belle) and his best friend JR (Jameson Blake). </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Liam Roja in ‘Roja’ (2025–2026) </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779174822417Donny Pangilinan in Roja.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>Showing audiences another side of his range, Donny stepped into action-drama territory in “Roja”. As Liam Roja, head chef of the resort La Playa Roja, he joins forces with Olsen (Kyle Echarri) to protect guests and staff when armed men take over the island. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Cisco Serrano in ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ (2026) </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779179197138Donny Pangilinan in Tayo Sa Wakas1.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>And then comes Cisco Serrano — a role that feels like the culmination of Donny’s evolution onscreen. In “Tayo Sa Wakas”, Donny steps into the shoes of a young creative whose ambition begins to pull him and long-time partner Cheska (Belle) toward different paths. </p><p>As Cisco and Cheska set out on a long-promised trip meant to decide the fate of their relationship, the two step into characters navigating love, sacrifice, and choosing whether there is still something left to fight for. </p><p>Witness Donny Pangilinan’s next chapter unfold as Cisco Serrano in “Tayo Sa Wakas”, arriving in cinemas on May 27, 2026. </p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E1kcUHGLlnI?si=qkHMuc8OiAQfCE5a" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RPMwDAXA5EY?si=a4V3_SGX1Ocd1MnQ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED ARTICLES:</strong> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/4/30/all-about-tayo-sa-wakas-2029" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All About ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/5/13/4-ex-couples-from-star-cinema-films-that-meet-again-1535" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4 ex-couples from Star Cinema films that meet again</a></div>

<p><b>A trip down Donny Pangilinan’s starring roles leading up to ‘Tayo Sa Wakas’</b></p>