Donato Antonio Laxa Pangilinan (born February 10, 1998) is a Filipino actor, presenter, singer 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). 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 (2023–2024).
Early life and education Donato Antonio Laxa Pangilinan was born on February 10, 1998, to actress Maricel Laxa and businessman Anthony Pangilinan. 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.
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.
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. He is also a host for the Sunday variety show ASAP, and was a VJ for Myx channel.
In 2018, Pangilinan made his on-screen debut in the Regal Films production Walwal, where he was paired with actress Kisses Delavin. In the same year, he was signed by Star Magic in the same batch as Tony Labrusca and Charlie Dizon, as part of Star Magic Circle 2018. He appeared in the films To Love Some Buddy and Fantastica.
In 2019, the split of his onscreen partnership with Kisses Delavin was reported.
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). Following this, he made an appearance in the film The Mall, The Merrier.
In 2020, Pangilinan played his first lead role in the film James and Pat and Dave with Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio. 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. 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. The series was marked a huge success as it continuously trended throughout its run, 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. 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. 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. At the end of show, it was announced that a second season of the show will take place. Shortly after the successful concert, ABS-CBN Entertainment also unveiled a documentary about the making of He's Into Her showing the production of the series from conceptualization, auditions, lock-in tapings, the hardships of the entire production team and how they managed to push through during a global pandemic and after the shutdown of ABS-CBN.
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. 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. 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. 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". 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. Pangilinan portrayed the character of Bingo Mariano, a street-smart and hardworking Filipino boy who lives in Binondo, Manila. Pangilinan also starred alongside his mother Maricel Laxa in the esports drama film GG: Good Game, which was released on January 24, 2024. Later on, he co-starred again alongside Belle Mariano in Viu's romantic comedy miniseries How to Spot a Red Flag, and featured as a guest hurado on the noontime variety show It's Showtime during the 2024 Magpasikat anniversary competition. In 2025, it was announced that Pangilinan was selected as one of the new judges for the seventh season of the reality competition show Pilipinas Got Talent.
Personal life As of 2024, Pangilinan resides in Laguna.
Filmography +KeyDenotes productions that have not yet been released
Film Year Title Role Notes 2018WalwalBobby Supporting RoleTo Love Some BuddyJeremy Supporting RoleFantasticaPepe Padilla Supporting Role2019The Mall, The MerrierJose Rizal Supporting Role2020James & Pat & DaveDave Verona Main Role2021He's Into Her: The Movie Cut Part OneDeib Lohr "Sensui" EnrileLead RoleHe's Into Her: The Movie Cut Part TwoLove Is Color BlindDomino "Ino" Urbano Lead Role2022He's Into Her: The Movie CutDeib Lohr "Sensui" Enrile Lead RoleAn Inconvenient LoveManny Siena Lead Role 2024GG: Good GameSeth Romulo Lead Role2026Tayo sa WakasCisco Serrano Lead Role
Television Year Title Role 2016–2018 Myx Video jockey (VJ) 2017–present ASAP Host / performer 2018–2019 Playhouse Ezekiel "Zeke" Domingo 2019 Ipaglaban Mo: Dayuhan Philip 2020 Alamat Ng Ano Leonardo 2020–2021 Sunday Noontime Live! Host / performer2021 Aja! Aja! Tayo sa Jeju Host He's Into Her (season 1)Deib Lohr "Sensui" Enrile 2022He's Into Her (season 2)2023–2024Can't Buy Me LoveAndrei "Bingo" Mariano2024TV PatrolGuest Star PatrollerHow to Spot a Red FlagMatteo Iñigo "Matt" Flores 2024–presentEat Bulaga!Guest / performerIt's ShowtimeGuest Hurado / performer2025Pilipinas Got TalentJudge (season 7)Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab EditionHouseguest2025–2026Roja Liam Roja
Documentary Year Title Role 2021He's Into Her: The JourneyHimself2022All Time HIH: The Road to He's Into Her Season 2
Music videos Year Title Performer Director Note/s 2017"Did You"Donny Pangilinan2018"Sorry I Left"Donny Pangilinan, Janina VelaBenedict Mariategue2019"Walk With You"Donny PangilinanYsa Aranda"Ngiti Mo"2020"Dream"Donny Pangilinan, ANDREAHDonny Pangilinan2021"He's Into Her - Donny's Version"Donny PangilinanIn studio"Upuan"Ben&BenNiq Ablao"Wings"Donny PangilinanAmiel Kirby Balagtas2022"Closer"Belle Mariano"Kahit Na, Kahit Pa (Visualizer)"Belle MarianoEdrex Clyde Sanchez
Concerts
Offline YearTitleTourVenueNote/s 2022Star Magic 30: Beyond The Stars (Manila Show)Star Magic 30th Anniversary TourNewport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World ManilaIn celebration of Star Magic's 30th anniversary.Star Magic 30: Beyond The Stars (New York Show)Kings Theater, BrooklynStar Magic 30: Beyond The Stars (San Francisco Show)The Warfield, San FranciscoStar Magic 30: Beyond The Stars (Los Angeles Show)Saban Theatre, Beverly HillsHe's Into Her: All AccessAraneta CenterHe's Into Her Grand Finale Concert
Notes
Online YearTitleNote/s 2021He's Into Her: The Benison Ballwith the He's Into Her cast2022Daylight: A Belle Mariano Digital Concert as a guest performer
Discography Extended plays YearAlbumTrack listingPerformed byLabelRef.2019Donny PangilinanNgiti MoDonny PangilinanUniversal RecordsDid YouDifferent Kind of LoveGreen LightWalk with You
Singles YearTitlePerformed byLabelRef.2017Did YouDonny PangilinanUniversal Records2018Different Kind of LoveGreen Light2020DreamDonny Pangilinan, ANDREAHIndependent2021Sigurado (Duet Version)Donny Pangilinan, Belle MarianoStar MusicHe's Into Her - Donny VersionDonny PangilinanWingsUniversal Records
Appearances
As a featured artist YearTitlePerformed byLabelRef.2020Good NightKARRENCITA, Donny PangilinanFUGA Aggregation, Believe Music, Viva Records2018Sorry I leftJanina Vela, Donny PangilinanBelieve Music, Universal Records
Original soundtracks YearTitleShowPerformed byLabel2021He's Into Her - Donny VersionHe's Into HerDonny PangilinanStar Music
Station ID YearTitleLabelRef.2021Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa't IsaABS-CBN, Star Music
Composition credits YearTitlePerformed byWritten and Composed byProduced byLabel2017Did YouDonny PangilinanDonny Pangilinan, Marcus DavisUniversal Records2018Different Kind of LoveDonny Pangilinan, Carlisle Tabanera, Lauren TabaneraGreen LightDonny Pangilinan, Lauren Tabanera, Theo MartelSorry I LeftDonny Pangilinan, Janina VelaDonny Pangilinan, Janina VelaBelieve Music, Universal Records2019Walk with YouDonny PangilinanDonny Pangilinan, Carlisle TabaneraUniversal Records2020DreamDonny Pangilinan, ANDREAHDonny Pangilinan, Andrea HoskingKiko "kikx" Salazar2021WingsDonny PangilinanDonny Pangilinan, Benicio Bryant, Jon Ingoldsby, Robin GrubertJon Ingoldsby, Robin Grubert
Awards and nominations
Film and television awards YearAward CeremonyCategoryNominated workResultRef.2022Seoul International Drama AwardsOutstanding Asian StarVP Choice Awards 2021Male Promising Star of the YearLove Team of the Year (shared with Belle Mariano)Fandom of the Year (shared with Belle Mariano)TV series of the yearHe's Into Her7th Push AwardsPush Popular Love Team of the Year (shared with Belle Mariano)2021RAWR AwardsLove Team of the Year (shared with Belle Mariano)Asian Academy Creative AwardsBest Original Programme by a Streamer/OTTHe's Into HerTag Awards ChicagoBest Love Team (shared with Belle Mariano)Venice TV AwardsCross Platform ProgrammingHe's Into Her 2019Box Office Entertainment AwardsMost Promising Male Star for Movies
Creator awards YearAward CeremonyAwardNotesAwards Issued by2020YouTube Creator AwardsSilver Creator Award100,000 subscribersYouTube
Listicles YearPublisherListiclePlacementRef.2022Preview50 Most InfluentialPeople AsiaMen Who Matter2026Men Who Matter
References
External links