Becoming his own Pascual: Iñigo carves a career in music
MANILA, Philippines — He may be pursuing a career in show business just like his father Piolo Pascual, but Iñigo Pascual is set on carving his own name and following his own path. Music—from recording to performing—is what fuels and drives Iñigo the most.
Raised for the most part of his childhood in the United States, Iñigo always loved to perform. With his looks and singing chops, it wasn’t long before an international recording company offered him a slot in a boy band.
“I really wanted to join the band. My dad told me what it meant if I did,” Iñigo said in Sun Life Philippines’ “Kaakbay: Bro,” a short film that gives everyone a closer look into the father and son relationship.
“The management was going have full control of his schedule, and the contract was going to restrict him from going home,” countered Piolo, based on his years of working in the entertainment industry.
The famous actor knew that this could only mean lesser time for them to be together. “Plus the fact na, more than anything, gusto ko munang makatapos siya ng high school, at least. So, kahit alam kong gustong gusto n’ya, I had to stop him,” he added.
Iñigo understood that his father only wanted what’s best for him.
Returning to his roots
As they say, there is a time for everything. It wasn’t much of wait for Iñigo as he finally got his father’s nod when he turned 17. He decided to come home and pursue his dreams here.
This is only fitting because his family and Filipino culture have always shaped Iñigo’s love for music.
“My family, our Filipino culture, just loves music and everything around it, like dance. Whenever we have family gatherings, we would always have a karaoke competition and all that. It definitely helped me with being confident in singing and singing around people,” Iñigo said in an interview.
He began with appearances on TV shows and by starring in films through introductory roles. He also started performing in ABS-CBN’s Sunday afternoon show, ASAP. He wanted to do more music.
In 2016, he was signed under Star Music, the recording label of ABS-CBN. He released his self-titled album with debut single “Dahil Sa’yo.” He immediately proved his charm by garnering countless Filipino fans. The YouTube lyric video of the song now has 94 million views.
“Dahil Sa'yo” also won Awit Awards’ “Song of the Year” and Billboard Philippines “First Chart-Topper Artist Award” both in 2017.
Coming full circle
With his star shining bright, Iñigo’s musical career is taking greater heights this year with a new, more global market. He is coming full circle from the time he received an international offer to join a boy band.
In 2017, he was chosen to sing the Philippine version of “Remember Me,” the original soundtrack of “Coco” (Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios).
This year, Iñigo worked on collaborations with American singer, producer, and YouTuber Alex Aiono in March, and Chinese Australian singer and YouTuber Wengie in May. The latter’s original song titled “Mr. Nice Guy” was produced by BTS hitmaker Melanie Fontana.
Last June 28, he finally dropped his newest single, “Options,” produced by LA-based instrumentalist Bernard “HARV” Harvey. Before the release, he performed the song live at Viacom at the New York Times Square.
More opportunities are still opening for Iñigo this year. “Options” would be part of a new LP to be launched in the last quarter of the year. The album will be produced by Tarsier Records, a new company that aims to elevate local talents to the international scene.
Aside from HARV, songwriter Felisha “Fury” King, who has worked for TV show “Empire” and international artists Justin Bieber and Eminem, is co-producing Iñigo’s LP.
His lifetime partner
Back at home, Iñigo wrote and performed “Kaakbay,” the soundtrack of Sun Life Philippines’ newest online campaign featuring a series of short films about its celebrity ambassadors, he and his father included.
“It’s a song you can dedicate to an important person in your life. We don’t always tell our loved ones how much we appreciate them, but I hope that this song and our own ‘Kaakbay’ videos will inspire everyone to express just how much their loved ones mean to them,” Iñigo said.
Meanwhile, “Kaakbay: Bro,” which showcases the familial and special bond between Iñigo and Piolo, can be seen on YouTube.
“He always encourages me, and tells me that I have to believe in myself. I can’t imagine myself without my dad. Especially right now, I feel like we have this special bond,” Iñigo speaks of his dad.
“Alam ko na kahit anong mangyari, I know he’ll always be there for me,” Piolo responds.
Besides Iñigo and Piolo, “Kaakbay” also tells the stories of lifetime partnerships of Enchong Dee, Matteo Guidicelli, and Charo Santos-Concio. Catch the videos on Sun Life’s YouTube channel here.
RELATED STORY: If Charo’s love life would be featured in MMK – 5 things it could reveal
“Kaakbay” is Sun Life’s latest effort renewing its commitment to becoming Filipinos’ lifetime financial partner and its purpose of providing its clients with lifetime financial security, which it has been championing since it introduced life insurance in the Philippines in 1895.
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