But not Piolo, whose dream for stardom was his shield for all the sticks and stones thrown at him. Until now, he’s hounded by that "gender issue" which has also dogged not only local but also Hollywood actors. Happily and luckily, not even the most personal attacks can put a good actor down, thank you.
"I’ve seen the best and the worst sides of showbiz," said Piolo who has kept his head above the sea of intrigues. "The best far outweighs the worst that’s why I’m still around."
When you watch Piolo acting whether on the big screen or the small screen, in a romance-comedy or in a weepy drama, every piece of mud his detractors hurl at him instantly disappears and you see only the fine actor engrossed in his performance. That’s the point: If an actor gives the public the performance it deserves, who cares what he does off camera (as long as he’s doing it with discretion)?
In the four years that Piolo has been active in showbiz (not counting his early years as a member of German Moreno’s unlamented teen show That’s Entertainment where he was known as PJ Pascual), Piolo has amply proven his worth as an actor in whatever genre you put him in. In his latest movie, Regal Films’ I Think I’m in Love, directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes for the Manila Film Festival (June 12 to 25), Piolo is teamed up for the first time with Joyce Jimenez, he as an elusive playboy and she as saleslady at the perfume counter of a department store hopelessly in love with him.
In the following Conversation, Piolo talks about "the best" and "the worst" in his life, putting his best foot forward as usual with his witty and intelligent answers.
• The best moment, the worst moment
"My best moment so far was when I spent a vacation at the Plantation Bay in Cebu with my (love) son Iñigo, 4. Super-bonding kami. We were with his mom and some friends, but Iñigo and I spent one whole day together, just the two of us. We went kayaking and swimming.
"The worst? I can’t think of any at the moment. I’m roasted by some members of the press but it doesn’t last a moment; it’s a continuing moment. Kasama sa trabaho ’yan. A never-ending moment."
• The best thing that ever happened to him, the worst thing that ever happened to him
"The best thing that ever happened to me is this, my career. I don’t regret my decision to come back from the States four years ago to resume my showbiz career here. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
"The worst happened late last year in Rome when I misplaced my luggage. I didn’t have money with me because I had used up my credit card. I was alone. My sister kasi decided to stay behind in Milan. I had two pieces of luggage and each passenger was allowed to check in only one. I was helpless. In the confusion, I misplaced my luggage. It’s a good thing the Cathay Pacific supervisor came to my rescue and got both suitcases on the same flight."
• The best performance, the worst performance
"I like all my roles but my two best performances were in Lagarista, my launching movie, and in the ABS-CBN soap Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako. I didn’t realize how big a movie Lagarista was until it was shown in Canada (at the Toronto International Film Festival). It’s my favorite because with Lagarista, I made my mom (especially) and my family proud of me.
"I have had bad performances, all right, pero wala pa namang worst. The worst is yet to – but I hope it won’t – come."
• The best song, the worst song
"Nothing can compare with Superman. I just love the lyrics. I love that song because Superman also happens to be my favorite hero.
"I love music so as far as I’m concerned, there’s no ‘worst’ song. Every song is music to my ears."
• The best movie, the worst movie
"I can never forget Awakenings (starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams). It’s a very sensitive movie, with DeNiro and Williams giving one of their best performances (as depressive men in a home for the aged).
"I’ve seen some bad movies but I’d rather not mention them. They’re bad, thus forgettable."
• The best person he has ever known, the worst person he has ever known
"The best person is, hands down, my Mom (Amelia Nonato). She has gone through a lot, she has survived all sorts of trials with her head held high. I admire my Mom for her strength (of character) and the way she has brought us up. She faces problems with dignity.
"And the worst person I’ve ever met? There’s one but I’d rather keep that person’s identity to myself. Bahala na ang Diyos sa kanya."
• The best sex experience, the worst sex experience
"Do I have to pick only one? Baka naman magalit ’yung iba? Well, it was with my girlfriend, but I won’t say who she is and when it happened. Where did it happen? In the bedroom, of course!
"The worst was with somebody who had no teeth. It was dark and I found out about the dentures only after it happened. ‘Yon lang. I don’t want to elaborate."
• The best place he has ever seen, the worst place he has ever seen.
"Rome. Yes, Rome! I had my worst experience in Rome (at the airport) but I still consider it the best place I’ve ever been to. Isang lugar na gusto mong balik-balikan. I love the churches, the Vatican, the catacombs, the ruins, the people. I love everything in Rome, the weather, the buildings, the museums, lahat!
"The worst, in my opinion – at sana naman, batu-bato sa langit ang tamaan ay huwag magagalit – is Metro Manila. It’s crowded and polluted, not to mention the traffic jam."
• The best meal, the worst meal
"Give me goto from Goodah anytime. The best na sa akin ’yon. I’m not choosy with food but I have favorites – grilled pusit, oysters, sashimi, ’yung salad with salmon (from Sugi).
"I had my worst meal in a Filipino restaurant (not identified) somewhere in Quezon City. I was almost hospitalized due to food poisoning and I had to postpone my trip to Baguio. I never went back to that restaurant."
• The best part of his body, the worst part of his body
"My eyes are the best, I think. ’Yon din ang sabi nila. My eyes don’t lie; they reflect what I feel. My eyes can express my feelings more eloquently than words ever can. My eyes can say a lot of things, especially when I’m acting.
"But I don’t like my legs even if many people tell me they’re okay. I don’t like the back portion between the knee and the ankle. Medyo hindi proportioned."
• The best time to make love, the worst time to make love
"You know, it’s nice to make love when you’re tired, when you’re pagod. Why? Wala lang. Maybe to release tension. When you’re tired you want to be baby-ed, di ba? I’m like that. Gusto ko bini-baby ako.
"Well, the worst time is, of course, when you’re not in the mood or when you are forced to or when you’re doing it in a hurry."
• The best book, the worst book
"Be Happy by Andrew Matthews is perhaps the best book that I’ve read so far. The book teaches you how to be happy and about positive thinking. It shows you how to get out of yourself and to be the person that you want to be. I’ve been reading the book since I was 13 and it has helped me a lot. I like it so much that I’ve bought several copies which I gave to my friends. I want the book to help and guide them the way it has helped and guided me. I also like The Tao of Inner Peace by Dianne Draher. And also The Bible.
"I haven’t come across a worst book yet because I choose only books that I really want to read."
• The best hideaway, the worst hideaway
"Europe is, I think, the best hideaway. It’s so rich in culture, tradition and everything. There’s a lot to see and explore in Europe, whether in summer, in winter, in spring or fall. I’ve been to Madrid (Spain) but I’d love to go to Ibiza and the Balearic Island, both in Spain.
"The worst hideaway is any place that’s crowded; when there are many people around, any place ceases to be a hideaway. Kaya nga ‘hideaway’ because you want to ‘hide away,’ get away from everybody and just be by yourself, to be alone."
• The best shirt, the worst shirt
"I have this orange Gap T-shirt which I love so much. I feel light when I wear it, as if all’s right with me and the world.
"The worst thing to wear are shirts na masakit sa balat. There are shirts like that, di ba? When you wear them, you become the crankiest person in the world."
• The best thing about Joyce, the worst thing about Joyce
"She’s true (totoong tao) inside and out. She has no inhibitions; I like the way she carries herself. I like her buttocks!
"It’s not her worst trait, but I don’t like her squeaky voice so much. It’s funny and sweet but squeaky just the same."
• The best thing about Piolo Pascual, the worst thing about Piolo Pascual
"The best, I guess, is that I can be responsible. I’m not saying I am responsible but I can be responsible. I’m a good and loyal friend, I’m honest. I’m not the friendliest guy in the world but I can be nice to be with. I’m trustworthy. I’m a good lover and a good son.
"And the worst about me? I’m too trusting, too sensitive and vulnerable. Yes, I feel so much, that’s why I get hurt easily. That’s one trait that I want to change. Give me a little more time and I will."