Surfing is quickly becoming a lifestyle and trend among Gen Z. It's no surprise that Gen Z star Belle Mariano caught the wave! In this feature, Belle shares how her surfing journey began, what makes it so special to her, and why she thinks it’s the perfect feel-good activity for anyone looking to enjoy an exciting workout while connecting with people.
Belle first fell in love with surfing while filming "How To Spot A Red Flag" in La Union where the cast was on lock-in. She and her co-stars—her leading man Donny Pangilinan included—would hit the waves during breaks or free days. But unlike Donny, who’s been a beach boy since he was young, Belle had a bit of a fear of the sea.
"I've always been scared, actually... Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean, pero may fear pa rin ako. Natatakot ako minsan kasi ang laki ng alon, most especially sa La Union," Belle admits.
But they say the best way to conquer your fears is to face them head-on—and that’s exactly what Belle did. "It feels different. It feels like you're floating on water. You just allow the waves to control you." What started as a fear turned into a love for the sport. Now, Belle's determined to become a good surfer.
For Belle, surfing is like hitting two birds with one stone—it’s a fun activity that also gives you a great exercise. "You're basically working out but at the same time masaya siya, so you don't feel like you're working out," she shares.
While Belle has always been into fitness, whether it’s running or doing Pilates, she feels that surfing stands out as one of the most enjoyable ways to stay active. She says it's very therapeutic.
Surfing has also opened doors for Belle to meet new people. A big factor in this is her "How To Spot A Red Flag" on-screen mom Mylene Dizon, who frequents La Union. Mylene introduced Belle to the locals and surfing professionals there. "Nakakatuwa that I'm introduced to a community that I've never been introduced to before," she says.
And, of course, as Donny puts it, and Belle agrees, surfing gives you that perfect sun-kissed glow.
For those who are a little hesitant to try surfing, Belle's simple piece of advice: "Don't be afraid to try new things."