MANILA, Philippines — Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, the stars of Viu and ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment original series “How to Spot a Red Flag,” have brought kilig not only to the show but also during the fan meet and media conference held recently in Quezon City.
The loveteam also known as DonBelle answered a question from a fan on how to handle a red flag person, which is the premise of their series.
“I think you have to be upfront,” declared Belle. “Sometimes, we are pabebe. Pero ‘pag ganun, if alam mo ng medyo nasisira niya na kung ano ang pagkatao mo, you could tell if that person is a red flag if you’re uncomfortable. You’re uncomfortable in what he does.
“If you’re not comfortable sa pagkatao niya or how he treats you, be honest with him or her. ‘Wag na tayong magpa-bebe. Just say what you like and say what you don’t like. I think it would be good for them to reflect on what they do,” she continued.
Donny agreed and added that it is important to talk about the dos and don’ts and the non-negotiables between the two parties.
The cast of Viu and ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment original series ‘How to Spot a Red Flag’ during a fan meet and mediacon. Joining them are executives from Viu and Dreamscape. — Photo courtesy of Dreamscape and Viu
“So that you guys are both on the same page. And also, sometimes, especially in love, it’s easy to get blinded. There should be people around you who could tell (you), ‘Donny, parang iba ‘to or something na hindi niyo masyadong nakikita at first pero yun pala, red flag na.
“So always be open-minded to thinking, ‘Yes, genuine honesty is a big part in this’ and just be true to what you feel as well.”
Filmed in La Union, “How to Spot a Red Flag” revolves around the experience of Cha Fontanilla (played by Belle) with catfishing. After discovering that Matt Flores (played by Donny), an online friend she met in a forum, isn’t who he says he is, she finds out that the young man is real, but he isn’t the one chatting with her.
The real Matt investigates the matter and discovers that his close friend, JR Valdez (played by Jameson Blake), stole his identity and has been chatting with Cha. But instead of exposing his friend, Matt agrees to pursue Cha to help JR set up a date with her. At the same time, Cha also ends up having feelings for Matt.
“Just follow your gut feeling and heart,” Donny said when asked to offer any piece of advice to his character Matt.
DonBelle answering questions from the fans and press.
Belle, meanwhile, offered this reminder to her role as Cha, “At some point, you have to learn to choose yourself. Kaya mo yan, Cha. You are a brave girl. Be extra vigilant.”
Meanwhile, the veteran actors working with DonBelle in the series couldn’t help but notice their oozing chemistry on set.
Mylene Dizon, for one, shared that she was “very surprised” because the chemistry that DonBelle has is not just on screen. She sees it in their “little gestures” on set.
“For example, (Belle asked Donny), ‘Can I eat this mushroom?’ Hay, kinilig ako. It’s so true. That’s why I think it works all the time when you’re together and when you have projects because I think it’s very natural for you guys to actually really care for each other.
“Yung tinginan ninyo hindi mapapantayan. Kasi matangkad siya and maliit ka. But it’s very nice,” quipped Mylene.
Belle then explained the story about the mushroom. “We were eating earlier, before we came here on stage. But I’m allergic to a (specific) type of mushroom. I was just confirming kung yun ba yung mushroom na yun.”
Donny answered, “I don’t know. Sometimes, kasi OK siya sa mushroom, sometimes hindi. But I told her, ‘Wag na lang para sure.’ Safety first.”
Benjie Paras, on the other hand, said that Donny and Belle are very nice people. “When we say, let’s eat, (they would reply), ‘O sige saan niyo gusto?’ Sasabihin nila Belle, ‘We’re hungry. What would you like to eat?’ In other words, sinasamantala namin,” quipped Benjie.
Christian Vasquez also shared that when they were on a standby area and the two lead stars were doing their script reading, he would just look at them and could not help but gush over their chemistry.
“You would see how they would look at each other. I don’t know kung lalagyan ko ba ng malisya o hindi. But I like to be in that age. Iba yung meron silang dalawa. Iba lang yung pakiramdam ko, parang may something. It’s up to you to judge basta kinuwento ko lang sa inyo.”
Angel Aquino agreed, saying, “We really shipped them together. Bakit ba ayaw pa ‘di ba parang kitang-kita naman? There was this one time and then si Belle bumisita sa bahay. After a take, tapos may set-up, iba yung… There’s really something. Parang malalasahan mo yung tamis.”
Witnessing their undeniable closeness, Angel shared that she had already asked DonBelle if they became an item. “‘Naging kayo ba?’ Guess what they told me. Siyempre hindi ko (sila) ilalaglag.”
“Don’t assume ha, I didn’t say anything,” Angel teased the screaming fans. “I just asked and they answered very truthfully and I appreciated that.
“I can only say that their friendship is authentic and I admired it. And it makes it so easy to work with them for all of us. Kasi ang gaan-gaan nilang katrabaho. It feels so fresh and clean. Ang sarap nilang katrabaho,” she added.
“How to Spot a Red Flag” is now streaming on Viu.
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