Despite being a so-called “nepo baby” (short for “nepotism baby”), a contemporary term that refers to a person who is believed to have benefitted from the influence or connections of his/her famous parent/s, bankable Kapamilya heartthrob Donny Pangilinan is able to prove that he could shine in showbiz in his own right and step out of the shadows of his celebrity parents and relatives. 

He might have had television appearances before as a kid, yet it was only when he turned 18 in 2016 that he started to completely pursue his showbiz career. Among his earliest stints included guestings in several programs of ABS-CBN and his stints as a host for “iWant ASAP” and “ASAP,” as well as a VJ (or video jock) for MYX Channel. And through the years, Donny was also able to showcase his acting chops via the movies and series that he starred in, with the romantic comedy series “How To Spot A Red Flag” being his latest project. 

As he marks his eighth year in the local entertainment scene this 2024, let’s take a trip down memory lane and get a glimpse of his beginnings as an artista through his previous interviews in “Tonight With Boy Abunda” that we compiled in this TWBA Toplist!

Even though he has actress Maricel Laxa and motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan as his parents, not to mention that he’s been surrounded by some of the prominent public figures in the country growing up, Donny confessed that he’s actually an introvert like his mom and the most timid among his siblings. But since their parents’ jobs entail having to mingle with different people, it truly helped them become more comfortable in speaking with others.

His parents might not have forced him to join showbiz, yet they have been very supportive of his every endeavor and even gave him nuggets of wisdom, such as staying focused on what you really want in life.

“I don’t know, Tito Boy, for some reason I just found out. Supporters just started coming out of nowhere, I wasn’t really finding it or forcing stuff, I was just waiting patiently. If it came, it came,” Donny responded to the King of Talk, and went on to share how people started messaging and making inquiries on him, as well as how a lot of projects were bestowed upon him. 

Regarding the projects that he wished to take on, he said that it’s going to be related with acting since it used to be something that he would want to explore further. Thus, he attended workshops and worked on his Tagalog-speaking skills more. However, when it comes to the specific genre or role that he liked to pursue, it was probably romance and comedy. 

“For me, it’s important to step out of my comfort zone. So, I think, in anything that I do or I’ll be put into, I’ll be able to do it,” he related. “My mom always likes practicing scripts with me. She wants to make sure that I can be fit in any situation. So, I think, I’m ready for any projects. Just surprise me.”

While it can be tempting in this industry to act like a “rockstar” and be engulfed by fame, especially now that he’s one of the top artists of his generation, it’s truly amazing how Donny has remained humble after all this time. When asked how he’s able to do it, he told Tito Boy that it could be credited to how his parents have raised him and his siblings. 

“Sila po ‘yong support system ko anything I do, nandoon po sila. Lahat ng advices ko sa parents ko talaga. Kung may problema ako, sa parents ko talaga. It has just been the way ever since,” he said, then went on to share his parents’ admirable dynamics as a couple, which include doing specific activities together like joining a marathon and going on date nights. 

He may be one of the most good-looking guys in the country, but Donny confessed that he has never been into any romantic relationship before. He had crushes, yes, but he never pursued anyone, so he’s still a certified “no girlfriend since birth” – at least when this interview took place. While many see him as perfect, he revealed that he has his own share of imperfections that might come off as major turn-offs about him, which include his being rowdy whenever he failed to get enough sleep, irresponsible in managing his time, and tardy.

In another episode of TWBA, Donny reiterated that he never had a girlfriend, so he never experienced yet going on a romantic date on Valentine’s Day. Besides, it’s also his birthday week, so he usually spends that entire period celebrating his special day every February 10 with his family and closest friends. 

And from being merely colleagues and onscreen partners in their first-ever project together, the iWanttfc series “He’s Into Her,” Donny has apparently already found the girl he’s been waiting for all his life in Belle Mariano, whom he regarded as an inspiration in another episode of the late-night talk show.

“I can really see that she wants to be in this and she wants to prove herself, lalo na po no’n lumabas ‘yong cast ng ‘He’s Into Her,’ ang daming nagsasabi na she’s not fit for the role. So, I think she’s very inspired to prove them wrong and I believe she can do that,” he told Tito Boy and went on to affirm that he admires that attitude of hers because he finds it inspiring when one is passionate about his/her work. However, he was not yet keen in taking that admiration to the next level at the time since they’d only known and worked opposite each for two months.

But now, his team-up with Belle, fondly called “DonBelle,” is one of the hottest and well-loved onscreen pairs in the country at present.

Indeed, Donny has already gone a long way from being that lanky teenager who only once dreamt of following the footsteps of his famous mom and kin in showbiz to becoming one of the most sough-after leading men of his generation.