Donato Antonio Laxa "Donny" Pangilinan (born February 10, 1998)[2] is a Filipino actor, model, singer, host and video jockey. He started his career in 2016 as a video jockey for the pay TV channel Myx. He made his film debut in the Regal Films production Walwal (2018).[3] Pangilinan has since starred in a number of Star Cinema productions, most notably in James & Pat & Dave (2020), He's Into Her (2021), and Can't Buy Me Love (2023).[4][5][6]
Early life and education
Donato Antonio Laxa Pangilinan was born on February 10, 1998, to actress Maricel Laxa and motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan, the brother of Philippine Senator Francis Pangilinan.[7] He has four siblings. He was named after both his grandfathers; his first given name Donato was derived from his paternal grandfather, while his second given name Antonio came from his maternal grandfather, actor Tony Ferrer, whose birth name was Antonio Laxa. Pangilinan studied at Brent International School for secondary education and, in 2018, was admitted into the University of the Philippines Open University.[2]
In October 2022, he earned his Bachelor of Ministry in Christian Leadership degree from the College for Global Deployment. He had the graduation ceremony together with his sisters, Ella and Hannah, who received their own degrees as well.[8][9]
Career
2016–2019: Career beginnings, MYX, and Walwal
Pangilinan started his career in a Koko Krunch commercial alongside his mother. His entry into Philippine entertainment began with guest appearances in various ABS-CBN shows in 2016.[10] He is also a host for the Sunday variety show ASAP, and was a VJ for Myx channel.[11]
In 2019, the split of his onscreen partnership with Kisses Delavin was reported.[15]
2019–2021: James and Pat and Dave, He's Into Her, and DonBelle
In November 2019, it was announced that Pangilinan would be teaming up with Belle Mariano for He's Into Her, an iWantTFC original series based on the Wattpad novel by Maxine Lat (Maxinejiji).[16] Following this, he made an appearance in the film The Mall, The Merrier.[17] In 2020, Pangilinan played his first lead role in the film James and Pat and Dave with Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio.[18] In the same year, he was one of the hosts for the TV5 variety show Sunday Noontime Live! from Brightlight Productions, which lasted for three months. Pangilinan subsequently renewed his contract with Star Magic in February 2021.[19][20][21]He's Into Her premiered in May 2021 after a long delay in production. Its record-breaking launch crashed the streaming platform IWantTFC upon its release due to the surge of the number of viewers who wanted to watch the premiere episode.[22][23] The series was marked a huge success as it continuously trended throughout its run,[24] and has helped iWantTFC to top all free entertainment apps in the country. It was also the number one most watched series on the streaming platform.[25][26] For the soundtrack of He's Into Her, Pangilinan collaborated with Mariano for a duet version of the latter's single Sigurado under Star Music. Aside from this, he also released his own version of the series' theme song "He's Into Her" by BGYO.[27] Following the series' success, the cast headlined a special online concert, He's Into Her: The Benison Ball for the fans to enjoy through the streaming platform KTX.ph. VIP tickets for the show sold out after only three days since release.[28] At the end of show, it was announced that a second season of the show will take place.[29] Shortly after the successful concert, ABS-CBN Entertainment also unveiled He's Into Her: The Journey, a documentary about the making of the series. It showed the production of the show from the conceptualization, auditions, and the lock-in tapings. With the series' production passing to two years, the documentary also showed the hardship of the entire team and how the managed to push through the show even during a global pandemic and after the ABS-CBN shutdown.[30]
2021–2022: Wings,Love Is Color Blind, and He's Into Her 2
In November 2021, Pangilinan released his new single "Wings" under Universal Records Philippines.[31] After the success of He's Into Her, Pangilinan and Mariano landed their first lead roles as a love team in a Star Cinema movie titled Love Is Color Blind. The film premiered through streaming platforms KTX.ph and Smart's GigaPlay app. Shortly after coming to Netflix, the film ranked atop the streaming service's trending lists in the Philippines.[32][33] Upcoming projects for the pair include a teleserye and a short film to be directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.[34] He was also one of the artists to take part in ABS-CBN's 2021 Christmas Station ID, "Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa't Isa".[35] In 2022, he was among the guests in Belle Mariano's first concert entitled Daylight: A Belle Mariano Digital Concert, which was streamed via KTX.ph.[36] The second season of He's Into Her premiered in April 2022. Upon release of the pilot episode, the series immediately became a trending topic in the Philippines.[37][38][39][40] A movie-cut of the first season of He's Into Her premiered at the Drive-In Cinema One: A Drive-Thru Movie Experience, in partnership with Ayala Malls Vertis North and Vertis North Estate.[41] In August 2022, Star Magic toured in the United States as part of their 30th anniversary celebration. Pangilinan were among the stars who staged the shows. The artists first performed at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, followed by the US shows in Kings Theater, Brooklyn, The Warfield, San Francisco, and in the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills.[42][43]
2023–present: Can't Buy Me Love, GG: Good Game
In 2023, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano marked their first lead roles in a prime time drama series on Can't Buy Me Love.[44][45] Pangilinan portrayed the character of Bingo Mariano, a street-smart and hardworking Filipino boy who lives in Binondo, Manila.[46][47] Pangilinan also starred alongside his mother Maricel Laxa in the esports drama film GG: Good Game, which was released on January 24, 2024.[48][49]
