PIOLO PASCUAL:  IT'S HIS TIME NOW

MANILA, May 2,  2004  (STAR) By Ana G. Kalaw  - I interviewed Piolo Pascual for the first time at the end of 2000, a few months after his film Lagarista – with Janna Victoria – came out, giving him believability as a serious actor and propelling him to " the next big thing" status. His clean-cut, boy-next-door façade intrigued moviegoers more than his exotic moniker; the quiet gaze interpreted as sexiness. His were the conventional good looks Filipinos loved and cameras ached to exploit.

During that interview, Piolo already had this unaffected air about him – one that was noticeably different from the effusive greetings and ebullient smiles his industry peers effectively dished out. His answers bordered on hackneyed simplicity – you couldn’t quite fathom if these were practiced or just plain sincere. At that time, Piolo Pascual, on the brink of superstardom, seemed too good to be true. I wondered, briefly, how long he’d last.

Three and a half years later, Piolo Pascual is still lasting – quite nicely in fact. A much-adored love team with Judy Ann Santos brought him heartthrob appeal, and being cast as part of ABS-CBN’s testosterone-equipped quintet The Hunks strengthened it. Soap operas billed him as swoon-worthy hero material and 10 movies in five years honed his acting skills. A recording contract materialized (his Ogie Alcasid-produced second album is out and a first major concert at the Araneta looms). Billboards along EDSA show off his endorsements – one of the more major campaigns is for popular watch brand Timex.

Three and a half years later, I interview Piolo Pascual again. He has done away with the clean-cut looks, has grown a goatee and seems to have lost weight, a loss that has made his cheekbones more pronounced. The new look seems to have cost him the boyishness that made women of all ages go gaga. Startling as it is, the new look is appealing and well-suited for the Robin Hood-inspired character he plays in his new soap, Mangarap Ka.

This time, Piolo’s answers are more detailed, though seemingly laced with caution. Super stardom may have given Piolo Pascual wariness but it has also given him humility and appreciation, demonstrated when he speaks of his gratitude for his managing network, his endorsers, and his newfound affinity with the Born-again church.

Piolo Pascual is at the height of a career that doesn’t seem as if it’s going to plateau anytime soon. It’s Piolo Pascual’s time now. Confidence, modesty, guardedness, and hard work assure that this "now" will last.

*Philippine STAR: Do you tire of becoming a matinee idol?

Piolo Pascual: I don’t. I enjoy it. For me it’s work. This is what I’ve been passionately doing for the past couple of years. I just enjoy my job.

*Are there times when you just want to say, "Damn it! I don’t want anymore of this!"?

More than anything I feel blessed. I don’t want to complain with all the blessings I’ve been getting. A lot of people want to be in my shoes and I just feel so lucky to be blessed and to be given a lot opportunities.

*Did you ever think you’d end up singing?

No. I never thought I’d be doing a concert at the Araneta. I’ve just always wanted to follow my heart and do what I’ve always wanted to do as a kid and that’s to act.

*Was it difficult to start out singing?

Fortunately the station that I’m in and Star Records have been so supportive. Whenever there’s a need to promote something, they’re always there.

*Did you have to take singing lessons?

I am taking singing lessons. I’ve been attending voice lessons religiously for more than a year now. My teacher has been so good to me and it’s nice because I learn a lot. Even if I already sing professionally I still try to attend my classes because there’s still a lot more that I’d like to learn. I’m more comfortable acting than singing but since I’m being given this opportunity to broaden my horizons in singing, I’m doing my best.

*Do you think you’re in a position now where you can choose or have a say on the projects you do?

The good think about the situation now is that I can demand if I want to but I wouldn’t want to take advantage of that. The network does a lot of things for me. They do a lot of research on things that I can do and cannot do so I leave it to them. I trust them. I’ve been with them for almost six years and so far they haven’t done anything to put my career at risk. I just rely on the people who manage me especially Talent Center and ABS-CBN Management and I trust my record label which is Star Records.

*Was there ever a time when you wanted to move out of ABS? Move to another network perhaps?

I can never think that way. No.

*There have been big stars from your network who have transferred to other networks…

It’s all business…

*So you’re sticking with ABS?

Definitely! I just signed a two-year contract with ABS so I’ll be with them until 2006. I’m tied up.

*Who do you compare yourself to?

I don’t compare myself to anyone. I’m just myself. I don’t want to try to compete with anyone. I do what I do because I know that’s what’s good for me and I do what I think is right…

*Are you now trying to change your image?

Only for the show. You always have to change yourself because you don’t want the audience to look at you the same way in every performance that you do or in every show that you do. This is just something different that I wanna do, something different that I want to portray on TV. It’s a different Piolo you see. This time I’m rough and rugged.

*Do you think your fans will react favorably to your new image?

It’s something different. It’s something risky. But you want to show your audience a different you because you don’t want them to get sawa.

*How would you describe your role in this new soap?

He’s not the typical bad guy that you see. He has a dark past. He’s very jaded. He’s the Robin Hood type who fights the bad guys and helps the poor.

*Was Robin Hood a particular favorite of yours while growing up?

No. Superman was.

*Oh. So did you ever walk around in a Superman costume when you were little?

No. Never.

*Never play-acted as Superman?

No. I just wanted to fly. Glide. Fly. I would have dreams where I would be flying and I’d never want to wake up.

*What else should people expect from this soap?

It’s something new for the audience. People will like it especially the kids. It has a different theme. What’s good about it is it’s very contemporary. It has the elements of mystery, the supernatural, animation. It’s really something new.

*Did you have to change your wardrobe along with your role?

Not my personal wardrobe but the clothes that I wear on the show. I don’t have any problems with it because it’s so simple.

*How do you usually dress?

I’m a jeans and T-shirt type of guy. I only dress up for occasions. I have sponsors who provide my clothes so I wear my free clothes on ASAP or whenever I have an engagement.

*Do you go shopping?

When I’m abroad. I buy clothes that I need, clothes that I’ll be needing for a particular project. I shop in the States where they have a lot of choices – in the big malls and outlets.

*Describe your grooming habits.

My hair grooming is very minimal. I trust my hair to my stylist Celeste Tuviera. I now have a goatee but it’s not long. Very minimal.

*What about skincare?

I don’t go to any dermatologist. I just wash my skin with soap.

*Do you believe in plastic surgery?

No. I believe in whatever God has given us. I don’t think guys should do it. I can understand why women do it but for guys, I don’t see the need.

*Do you work out?

No I don’t. I watch my diet. I watch what I eat. If I get the chance, I do martial arts. That’s my workout.

*What kind of martial arts?

Submission. Grappling. I started doing it for the soap. I do most of my stunts. I have a martial arts trainer who trains me so that’s my work-out.

*Any plans of entering politics?

No. None at all…

*Well, FPJ supposedly had no plans of running for president.

Well, let’s just say I don’t want to be like him. I’m just kidding. I’m OK with what I do.

*How have you changed since you first entered showbiz?

I used to be really hot-tempered. That was before I knew Christ and before I knew that needed the Lord beside me and became a Born-again Christian.

*What’s one accessory you can’t leave home without?

The watch. I have a lot from Timex. Most of the time I wear black and square watches. Also, if there’s one thing that I can’t leave home without, it’s the Bible. I always have one in my car.