Donny Pangilinan speaks out on backlash against Shuvee Etrata from DonBelle fans
Donny Pangilinan has aired his side after Shuvee Etrata drew backlash from fans of the actor's love team with Belle Mariano.
The issue started when Etrata was filmed acting giddy and flustered at seeing Pangilinan at Bernard Cloma's birthday celebration. Following the incident, Shuvee issued an apology to DonBelle fans for her reaction.
"I’m so sorry if I’m always fangirling over Donny. I will do my best para mapigilan po yung nararamdaman natin next time. Pero he's really just a crush, wala pong chance na magka-level po kami ni Donny kasi si Donny ay isa na pong kumikinang na bituin," she said in an interview with the media.
"Ako po ay pausbong pa lang po ako. So sana po ay keep supporting, I hope you just spread love, and be mindful with how you say your comments online kasi words can really be painful to some. But I know that as long as your intention is good, then patuloy lang pong magmahalan tayong lahat," she added.
Pangilinan has since gotten wind of the backlash against Etrata and took the time to post a lengthy statement condemning the hate.
"I don’t usually speak up, but I think it’s about time we stop spreading hate and constantly comparing people. There are far more important things happening in our country," he began.
"I feel like we’ve gotten too comfortable throwing hate online without thinking about how that affects actual human beings who have done nothing wrong. This is for all fandoms. Artists have lives, too. It’s gone below the belt. Why did we reach this point?" he continued.
I feel like we’ve gotten too comfortable throwing hate online without thinking about how that affects actual human beings who have done nothing wrong. This is for all fandoms. Artists have lives too. It’s gone below the belt. Why did we reach this point?
— Donny (@donnypangilinan) March 28, 2026
The Can't Buy Me Love star also implored fans to keep Mariano out of the issue, highlighting that she is "beautiful, talented, and most importantly, has a great heart."
He went on to emphasize how he and Etrata are simply friends.
"I told Shuvee the videos were going around out of shock, as I went to dinner at first thinking it was just going to be intimate and private. People forget we are all friends in this industry. Why do we keep pitting people against each other?" Pangilinan said.
"And to those who think I just enjoy the clout and people getting bashed, you clearly don't know me. Feel free to leave. There is no space for that here. I am and never was about that," he added.
He ended his statement by wishing everyone the best amid the issues happening in the Philippines.
Etrata previously made it known that Pangilinan is her showbiz crush when she served as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition in 2025.
