DonBelle’s Portrayal Of A Panic Attack In ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ Opens Up An *Important* Dialogue About Mental Health

Accurate media representation matters

Trigger warning: This story tackles anxiety, and graphic descriptions of a panic attack. If you feel that you need help and advice for yourself or anyone else, please contact The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline.

Can’t Buy Me Love is the latest teleserye that’s been going viral on social media thanks to its stellar cast and plot-driven storyline, and one scene in particular has received praise and positive feedback from viewers.

READ: Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan’s panic attack scene in Can’t Buy Me Love

What happened in the “panic attack scene” in episode 63 of Can’t Buy Me Love?

Caroline (Belle Mariano) is sorting items in the warehouse when a loud bang suddenly startles her, followed by the lights going off. The staff are seen locking the doors from the outside, and Bingo (Donny Pangilinan) is all set to head home when his motorcycle stalls. Hearing loud claps of thunder, Caroline begins to panic. Breathing heavily, she starts to have a flashback. Her traumatic experience as a child—discovering her mother lying dead on the floor—comes back to mind after the argument with her father Wilson Tiu (Rowell Santiago) and Aunty Cindy (Agot Isidro) about their house being sold.

Knocking over a shelf, Caroline further descends into a panic attack. Hearing the loud crash, Bingo decides to investigate the warehouse. Hearing her scream “Go away! Leave me alone!,” he rushes to break open the locked door, but his loud attempts only make her hyperventilate in fear. Bingo breaks the lock and finally reaches Caroline, but she’s too terrified to acknowledge his presence. Running out of options on how to help—especially as Caroline is now coughing and struggling to breathe—Bingo sings “You’ll Be Safe Here” by Rivermaya, which is also the title of the episode. The song gains a whole new meaning because Bingo uses it to calm Caroline down and work her off the edge of her panic attack.

You’ll Be Safe Here | Can’t Buy Me Love | Netflix Philippines

Why is the “panic attack scene” in episode 63 of Can’t Buy Me Love important?

When the main character in a highly-talked about teleserye suffers from a panic attack, this raises awareness for and about real people who are affected by mental health issues. Belle’s performance as Caroline Tiu was so solid you could literally *feel* her panic through the screen, while Donny’s worried attempts to calm her down allow the audience to place themselves in his shoes.

His heartfelt statement, “Palagay ko, Ling. Kailangan mo ng tulong. Pero okay lang ‘yon,” can be used as an instrument for viewers to better relate to a loved one who might also suffer from the same disorder—and more importantly, how to help them if you’re ever in Bingo’s shoes.

READ: How To Help If Someone Is Having A Panic Attack

1. Stay calm.

Panic attacks usually don’t last long—the most intense feelings usually last “between five to ten minutes.” But to the person having an attack, it may feel like it’s been going on forever. Even if you feel a little afraid yourself, do not panic.

2. Ask the person to let you know how you can help.

Most people who experience panic attacks or live with other types of anxiety disorders have their own preferred coping method. If you know this in advance, ask them how they’d like to be helped.