WITH a career in the entertainment industry that has already spanned more than three decades, Piolo Pascual said he is not ready to rest on his laurels even after maintaining his status as one of the country’s top matinee idols all these years.
“Kasi when you’ve done a lot and achieved so many things, parang you’re okay na. But the thing is, if you settle there, there’s not going to be any more growth. Kung mag-se-settle ka sa magaling na ako, ang dami ko ng nagawa sa buhay ko, may pera na ako, pahinga na ako,’ bakit? That’s why when I take on a totally new character, such as what was the case in ‘Mallari,’ it was hard. I had sleepless nights. But I took it on because I wanted to challenge myself,” he said.
Apart from currently starring in two 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entries “Mallari” and “GomBurZa” (which are both in the top three Best Picture awardees), Piolo was also proud to be part of director Brillante Mendonza’s film “Bangsamoro” which also wrapped up last year and was shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.
“The story behind it was he wanted me to do this film ‘Bangsamoro’ originally and we were going to shoot in Mindanao but they didn’t allow me to shoot in Mindanao but Brillante really wanted me in the film so we had to compromise and I told him siguro I can still do the movie but I can only shoot in Manila. So what he did, he gave the role to Baron (Geisler), for me to do scenes with him was just really amazing and then I’m playing his brother.
“So we transposed from Mindanao to Tanay ‘yung mga scenes namin together. With Brillante it was a different experience altogether. Because he makes it all improv. Impromptu siya. So it was a good exercise. You really have to know your character. You really have to know what you’re doing to be able to communicate the scene well and to convey the message that he wants you to convey to the audience,” Piolo explained.
The talented actor said he is especially proud of his current big screen projects because of what they represent to the Filipino people.
“Ang sarap naman, to be part of these historical films. It was such a privilege to be able to be part of something historical at this point in my life and career. You know this is not your typical rom-com that I’m accustomed to doing. These are milestone films. So ang sarap ng pakiramdam that you get to be chosen to represent a certain character such as Ibarra, such as Mallari, such as Pedro Pelaez in ‘GomBurZa’ and also this socio-political film na ‘Moro.’ I want to give voices to these characters, What an honor. And that kind of privilege only happens once in a while so I really don’t want to waste it,” he admitted.
Piolo also shared what he considers a key ingredient in him being an effective and trusted actor.
“It’s authenticity. If you’re not real or showing truthfulness in what you do, then you’re in trouble. I guess that’s my contribution. I don’t fake it. I don’t try to be someone that I’m not. Ito na ako. Take me for what I am. As much as you are a vessel, it is also an opportunity for you to grow and challenge yourself and not just really think highly of yourself. Kasi everything that we do is work. And you are always a work in progress. And once you see that your’e perfect, there’ll be no more space or room for growth. So you always want to be a clean slate when you take on something,” he added. (PUSH)
