Piolo Pascual is playing his part to keep the industry going

When Piolo Pascual said he would slow down last year, the exact opposite happened.

After his theatrical comeback in “Ibarra,” and starring in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box-office and highly awarded film “Mallari,” and the primetime hit “Pamilya Sagrado,” he graced the press preview for his upcoming film “Real Life Fiction,” alongside Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

We had the chance to catch up with him. He showed no trace of jet lag whatsoever, given that he just came from his successful “ASAP in LA” gig. Anyway, Jasmine and Piolo pair up in Black Cap Pictures’ intense drama thriller, directed by Paul Soriano and shot during the height of the pandemic three years ago. The movie delves into the abyss of an actor’s mind as he loses bits of his sense of self after years of being one of the most celebrated personalities in his time.

Not really far out from what an artist goes through in real life, Papa P, as we love to call him, plays Paco in “Real Life Fiction,” an actor with an illustrious career who decides to write, direct, and act in a film that will inevitably bring him closer to his own demise before revealing that his truth may be far from what he has become.

Piolo and Jasmine with the media.

Paula (portrayed by Jasmine) comes into play as his on- and off-screen muse, blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s not. The movie sheds light on the psyche and the limits to which actors push themselves and the people around them to find brilliance in madness.

Along with Piolo and Jasmine, Epy Quizon also stars in “Real Life Fiction” as Paco’s stern yet considerate manager, with the special participation of filmmaker Lav Diaz (“Phantosmia”) as the owner of an eclectic pawnshop where Paco finds himself drawn to while searching for his true self.

Piolo and his ‘Real Life Fiction’ co-star Jasmine Curtis-Smith attend the press preview for the Black Cap Pictures’ intense drama thriller under the direction of Paul Soriano.

The press was surprised by how both actors were more confident in exposing more than what they are used to on screen. Piolo lightheartedly explained, “That was because of the pandemic! We were all excited to get back on track and work.”

But seriously, both actors delivered brilliant performances as they fully committed themselves to the film. “We were on set the entire time, unable to leave due to lockdown restrictions, but it was an incredibly focused and rewarding experience,” said Piolo.

The stars answering questions during the presscon.

When we asked how “Real Life Fiction” was different as compared to their real life as actors and how they blurred their lines of reality and work, he said, “You just have to keep busy and move onto the next project. You don’t have time to dwell when the project is over, you move from your character.”

Speaking of that, he is now about to wrap up “Pamilya Sagrado” and can’t help but be ecstatic about Coco Martin guest directing some of their most-talked-about action episodes.

“Sabi ko kay Coco, ‘Hindi mo ako gi-ni-guest sa show mo.’ Sabi niya nahihiya siya sa’kin. So, finally, when there was an opportunity for him to direct one day ng mga fight scenes ko, napakabait. Napaka-passionate, nakakatuwa si Cocs, pinapanuod ko lang siya, nakakatuwa dahil sobra respeto niya sa trabaho. He had a lot of input,” he shared.

Another good friend of Piolo that he did touch base with was Bea Alonzo. Piolo recently shared a screenshot of them chatting and joking that they were not talking about ratings. As we all know, “Pamilya Sagrado” on TV5 goes head-to-head with Bea’s “Widow’s War” on GMA.

“We were talking about dinner because long overdue na and sinabi nga namin oo nga magkatapat shows natin noh! Hanep ano? But that is it. There’s nothing, no rivalry whatsoever, at the end of the day, we’re friends,” he said.

Right now that “Pamilya Sagrado” is about to end, Papa P has already started filming for “The Kingdom” for this year’s MMFF. He said that the production value has exceeded his expectations.

“More than! The last time I worked with my friend Shayne Sarte was in ‘Milan.’ She’s our DOP (director of photography). It’s a powerhouse cast and production, hindi mo na kwekwestyunin ang production value,” added he.

“The Kingdom” comes out on Christmas Day for the 50th anniversary of the MMFF.