Kapamilya star Belle Mariano has officially renewed her contract with ABS-CBN, marking 14 years of being part of the network that has nurtured her journey from child actress to one of today’s most celebrated young stars.
The contract signing, dubbed ‘orever Kapamilya: Born to Shine’, was attended by ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO Cory Vidanes, Group CFO Rick Tan, Entertainment Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi, and Star Magic Manager Edith Fariñas.
Belle grew emotional as she looked back on her career and expressed gratitude to the people who guided her along the way.
“The message that I really want to tell everyone out there is it’s not going to be an easy journey. There are times that you fall and you fail… but just believe in yourself. Because throughout the 14 years, I would say that it wasn’t easy for me, but nakakataba ng puso because I was surrounded with amazing people and I’m just so grateful to them,” she said.
She also thanked ABS-CBN executives, her mother, and her supporters: “To our ABS-CBN bosses, thank you so much. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. To my mom, thank you. You’ve made me a stronger person. Lastly, to my supporters, maraming, maraming salamat because you, guys, are really the inspiration why I do this. Don’t let your fear stop you from pursuing what you love doing… you will fall but then you will also rise.”
@lionheartv Belle Mariano on Donny Pangilinan: “I love to grow with him too.” #BelleMariano #DonnyPangilinan #DonBelle #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH @bellemariano_
If there’s one person who has seen Belle’s growth up close, it’s her perennial love team partner Donny Pangilinan, who was among the first to congratulate her.
“Working with Belle for so long, I really can see how much she’s changed, how much she’s grown as a person, as a woman, as an actress. When I first worked with her, magaling na siyang artista. Sobrang galing na niya, but she never stops looking for opportunities, for growth, and for her to learn more,” Donny shared.
He also expressed his pride and support: “Keep believing in yourself, keep the passion, keep the faith and ’andito lang ako.”
Though Belle’s upcoming Star Cinema film ‘Meet, Greet & Bye’—co-starring Piolo Pascual, Joshua Garcia, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Maricel Soriano—does not feature Donny, the actress assured that DonBelle fans still have much to anticipate.
“As long as both of us grow, whether that’s together or apart, we’re going to be there to support one another,” she said.
Aside from the movie, Belle is also set to release a new album under StarPop, following her past records ‘Daylight’, ‘Somber and Solemn’, and ‘Believe’. She will likewise hold a birthday concert, further cementing her status as both an actress and singer.
For Belle, being Kapamilya for 14 years has been defined by one word: growth.
“There are times na magiging mahirap talaga… But then you rise above it, so it makes you a stronger person, and I think those experiences molded me into who I am today. So I would say it’s growth. Being a Kapamilya for me is growth, and I’m so grateful to be in this family,” she said.
