Kapamilya actress-singer Belle Mariano is reportedly set to collaborate with blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Sampana on a full-length feature film.
In a report by ABS-CBN News, the two recently met on Tuesday alongside ABS-CBN Films executives to discuss the project.
Belle expressed both excitement and nerves about the film, which she revealed will feature a stellar cast which will include those she has never worked before.
“Ako po kinakabahan ako. All I can say is this is gonna be a star-studded film, I’m gonna be with artists who I really look up to in the industry and working with Direk again it’s really such an honor ‘coz I know every step of the way, I will learn from Direk and with other artists as well,” Mariano shared in an interview with the Kapamilya news outlet.
This marks the third time Mariano and Garcia-Sampana will be working together, with the director having previously played a role in some of the actress’ projects alongside her on-screen partner, Donny Pangilinan.
Garcia-Sampana is best known for directing three of the highest-grossing Filipino films “Hello, Love, Again”, “Hello, Love, Goodbye”, and “The Hows of Us”.
“Sabi niya, never pa niyang nakatrabaho ‘yung ibang makakatrabaho niya dito, so it excites me paano kaya ‘yung dynamics sa set. […] ngayon na mas batikan na ‘yung mga katrabaho niya, tignan natin kung lalapit-lapit pa siya, doon na siya sa mga batikan na lalapit at hihingi ng tips mga ganyan,” Garcia-Sampana remarked.
The young actress agreed, acknowledging the challenges and growth this project will bring, “I feel like, in every thing I do naman as much as I can I try to enlighten myself with things I don’t know yet. And I try to learn more, this is gonna be an unusual set-up.”
Belle shared her thoughts about working without her reel partner for the first time.
“It’s my first time na I’m doing a film na with Direk. For a while I’ve been working with Donny for so long and this is the first time na gagawa ako ng film on my own and I would say it’s growth. Something scary but I’m really excited for it.”
Despite their individual projects, Mariano emphasized her support for Donny who was recently announced as one of the hosts of the upcoming new season of Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT).
“We’ve both been open about it na we’re both supportive of each other, with him on PGT, I’m very supportive. And of course with this thing I’m doing with Direk, he’s very supportive as well,” Belle described their mutual support.
She also expressed her enthusiasm for Donny’s new role on the talent show and recognizing his capability as a full-time host, saying, “Natuwa ako, I saw how he judged in ‘It’s Showtime,’ and from there on I saw how he’s capable of doing a full time show na big talaga. I’m excited to see it and watch it.”
She also revealed that she was the first person Pangilinan spoke to when he landed his hosting stint.
“I was so happy for him! I saw how he judged in ‘It’s Showtime,’ and from there, I knew he was capable of handling a full-time show. I’m excited to watch it,” she said.
“I believe that distance makes the heart grow fonder,” Belle further remarked about working apart from Donny.
