Cheers erupted from the moment DonBelle walked the red carpet until they stepped into the cinema, where they were met by hundreds of family members, friends, colleagues, and Bubblies. With a smile and a shaky voice, Belle Mariano took the mic to express her gratitude for the moment, “at sa lahat ng nagmahal sa amin sa simula hanggang ngayon sa [pagwawakas].” That almost carried the entire crowd away with emotion, until film director Cathy Garcia-Sampana took it as her cue to tease, “Iiyak na ‘yan!” while Donny Pangilinan stood beside them, seemingly as overwhelmed as his onscreen partner. But the pair held on, at least in that moment.

Then, for the first time, Tayo Sa Wakas lights up the big screen. As with any Garcia-Sampana film, it takes you on an emotional whirlwind: one moment, you’re laughing with the crowd; the next, you’re reaching for a handkerchief or tissue in the dark. No spoilers, but at times, you might even find yourself screaming over never-before-seen moments between DonBelle, just as I and the rest of the audience did.

Tayo Sa Wakas delivers a unique take on the concept of a “breakup trip,” with the journey itself acting as a lens to unpack love, loss, and everything in between. At certain points, you would feel the line blurring between what’s actually unfolding and what’s merely felt, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Cisco (Donny) and Cheska’s (Belle) long drive seemingly comes across as a parallel to their situation as they navigate their relationship while building their own paths. The movie goes deeper by shedding light on the quiet, often overlooked weight of personal insecurities, which, if left unresolved, can end up wounding even the strongest connections. It reflects the importance of fully knowing, understanding, and loving yourself before you can truly love someone else. Beyond romance, this Garcia-Sampana work also touches on grassroots realities, serving as a subtle eye-opener to the struggles of the less privileged without losing its emotional core.

But you know what they say: a story is only as compelling as how it is told; and DonBelle’s growth as both actors and individuals is what shines in this film. For someone who has followed all their projects since their soft launch in James & Pat & Dave in 2020, before they were officially paired in He’s Into Her the year after, their evolution feels even more evident, heartfelt, and meaningful here in Tayo Sa Wakas. Cisco and Cheska are their most daring and mature roles yet, with performances that hit you harder in every scene. Donny surprisingly delivers strong comedic timing through his character while also holding his own in more serious and confrontational moments with depth and control. Belle, on the other hand, never fails with her expressive “mata-mata” acting and nuanced line delivery, leaving you impressed in more ways than one. The supporting cast members also deserve a nod: like Epy Quizon, whose sincere acting adds more heart to the story; Joross Gamboa, with comedic scenes that are as effortlessly effective as ever; and River Joseph, who proves he is the right fit for “the other guy.” Most of all, DonBelle introduces new sides and a greater range in this film, proving they are more than ready to go their separate ways.

I’m usually not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but this story feels both like a mirror of their journey and a preview of their reality moving forward, not as Cisco and Cheska, but as Donny and Belle. That is, in every sense, DonBelle’s Tayo Sa Wakas. It was clear why they both could no longer hold back their tears by the time the credits rolled.