TAYO SA WAKAS (2026) Review
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana
I have personally followed the tandem of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano from their first digital series to their current film and TV projects. Tayo Sa Wakas, though dubbed as their last project as a pair for now, is their best so far. The film feels like a culmination of their past work. While it’s not a requirement for viewers, having witnessed their growth alongside the characters they have portrayed gives the film’s emotional weight a lingering impact.
Director Cathy Garcia-Sampana and writer Vanessa Valdez have created the definitive love story for this generation. While love, sacrifices, pain and regrets are universal when it comes to romance stories, how Cisco and Cheska navigate their lives through their careers and their families, how they include and exclude each other in their decisions, how they deal with difficulties together and individually and how they change because of their relationship give the film a sense of what love is for Gen Zs.
The highlight of the film was the performance of Donny and Belle. The story worked as an acting piece for the two young stars as they navigated their way from a conventional romance—getting to know each other—to working through their differences to make the relationship last amid the harsh realities of adulthood. Their journey beautifully captured the challenging reality of being in the same industry as your partner at a time when you want to prove your worth to your colleagues, your family, and yourself.
There’s maturity not just in the new things the two show in the film, but also in how they present their characters. You can feel that Donny and Belle are deeply connected with their characters—how they feel at the moment, how they want to feel, and how their own feelings aren’t the only things that matter to them.
The story is fast-paced, too fast-paced at times, you want to linger on some emotions, but don’t have enough time. But the treatment very much feels like a Cathy Garcia-Sampana film. The comedic and heavy confrontation scenes are timed perfectly. The journey of the characters is presented properly so that the audience can follow the visual and emotional journey easily.
The film ultimately tells us how unconditional love can leave a lasting impact—and that relationships really depend on how much effort you put into them. Tayo Sa Wakas may be a Gen Z love story, but director Cathy Garcia-Sampana and writer Vanessa Valdez made the struggles, the situations, and even the language universal. The audience, regardless of their generation, will feel the love, pain, and hope from Cisco and Cheska.
3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
‘Tayo Sa Wakas’ opens May 27 in Philippine cinemas from Star Cinema. Rated PG by the MTRCB.