Piolo Pascual By Ronn Tan, April 2010

Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual (, born January 12, 1977) is a Filipino actor, model, singer, television host, comedian and film producer.

Pascual began a career in 1993 after landing a bit role in the film ''The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help Us!)'' and made his first television appearance in youth-oriented talent and variety show, '' That's Entertainment''. He rose to fame after he was chosen as the leading man of Judy Ann Santos in the 1997 classic soap opera, Esperanza. They went on to star in several other television series and films including ''Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka'' (2001-2003), ''Sa Piling Mo'' (2006), ''Bakit Di Totoohanin'' (2001), ''Till There Was You'' (2003) and '' Don't Give Up on Us'' (2006). In 2002, Pascual starred in period film '' Dekada '70'' alongside Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor wins at the 2003 PMPC Star Awards for Movies, FAMAS Awards, and Gawad Urian Awards.

In 2008, Pascual top billed the acclaimed supernatural drama series, '' Lobo'', co-starring Angel Locsin. In 2013, he starred in the neo-noir crime thriller film, ''On the Job'', which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and was also screened at the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in Bucheon, South Korea. Pascual executive produced films such as ''Kimmy Dora'' film series (2009-2013) and ''Kita Kita'' (2017). In 2018, he returned to television in the drama series '' Since I Found You''. Pascual and Lovi Poe starred in the 2022 Philippine adaptation, '' Flower of Evil''.

Early life

Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual was born on January 12, 1977, in Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center located in Malate, Manila. He is the youngest son of Amelia "Amy" Nonato Pascual and Philip Victoriano Pascual. His father was a casting director for international films that are shot in the Philippines. Piolo attended elementary and high school at St. Francis School in Santa Ana, Manila. When he was in 5th Grade, Piolo joined the school theater group, Teatro Ni Kiko, where he was introduced to the world of theater and acting.

While he was in third year high school, Piolo started appearing in ''That's Entertainment'', a popular teen variety show that aired in the 1990s. He eventually left ''That's Entertainment'', however, to get into college full-time, studying at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where he studied AB General Education. He later shifted to Physical Therapy in preparation for his immigration to the U.S. Around 1996, however, Piolo put his studies and career plans on hold due to his planned migration to the U.S.

They lived in Los Angeles, where he worked as an ER representative in the hospital where his mother worked. When Pascual turned 21, he decided to return to Manila in order to pursue his acting career again.

Career

In 1994, Pascual started his career in '' That's Entertainment''. Then he appeared in some TV shows including ''Mara Clara'' and ''Gimik''. His loveteam with Judy Ann Santos became phenomenal in early 2000s. Their four movies, ''Kahit Isang Saglit'', ''Bakit Di Totohanin'', ''Till There Was You'', and '' Don't Give Up on Us'', earned more than P100 million in the box office. His movie with Claudine Barretto, ''Milan'', became his top-grossing film up to date.

In his early singing career, he joined Diether Ocampo, Bernard Palanca, Jericho Rosales and Carlos Agassi to form The Hunks, an all-male group.

In 2002, Pascual played the role of Jules in the award-winning film, '' Dekada '70''. He received eight awards in the Best Supporting Actor category and was given special recognition as a Best Supporting Actor for the same role by the ''GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards''.

In 2003, Pascual's debut album ''Piolo'', went platinum. His second album ''My Gift'' hit Platinum status as well. His 5th solo album ''Timeless'' hit Triple Platinum status.

In 2007, he paired to Asia's Songbird, ''Regine Velasquez'' in '' Paano Kita Iibigin'', Piolo Pascual portrayed Lance Monteagudo.

In 2008, he starred in a fantasy TV series '' Lobo'' together with Angel Locsin. The show gained accolades from Banff World Media Festival and International Emmy Awards.

In 2009, Pascual became a producer for ''Manila'', an independent twinbill film under ''Bicycle Pictures''. After its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2009, ''Manila'' had its official Philippine premiere in cinemas in July 2009 as the opening film of the 5th Cinemalaya Film Festival. He starred in the Philippine version of ''Lovers in Paris'' together with KC Concepcion the same year. Together with some directors and writers, Pascual created his film studio, Spring Films, which is known for its popular ''Kimmy Dora'' movie series.

In 2013, Pascual went to Cannes again with the movie ''On the Job''.

Personal life

Pascual has a son, Iñigo Dominic Lázaro Pascual, born on September 14, 1997. Pascual is also the uncle of Filipino actor Benjamin Alves.

In 2013, Pascual joined the PETA campaign, Free Mali, whose aim is to move Mali, the lone elephant in the Manila Zoo, to a larger area.

As of 2024, Pascual has been romantically involved with Shaina Magdayao.

Despite his pretty boy image, Piolo is oftentimes rumored and believed to be gay.

Filmography

Film

As actor

As executive producer

Television

Awards and nominations

Wins

Film and television awards

Music awards

*In the Philippines, a gold award means selling in excess of 12,500 albums and a platinum award means selling in excess of 25,000 albums.
*Pascual's album "Piolo Pascual: Platinum Hits" was repackaged. "Ikaw Lamang", the theme song of the teleserye "Sa Piling Mo" was added.
*Sana'y Malaman Mo (lyrics: Ogie Alcasid, music: Louie Ocampo) was featured in the 2006 film Don't Give Up on Us.
*Paano Kita Iibigin (lyrics and music: Ogie Alcasid) was the theme song of the movie with the same title released in 2007.

Box-office and entertainment industry awards

Nominations

Film nominations (in producing)

Film nominations (in acting)

Television nominations

Recording and concert nominations

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Other appearances

References

External links

*
Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual CollectionsABS-CBNnews.com – Piolo PascualAngel Locsin and Piolo Pascual at Guam Beach Resort
*
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pascual, Piolo
1977 births
Living people
20th-century Filipino male actors
21st-century Filipino male actors
21st-century Filipino male singers
ABS-CBN people
Converts to evangelical Christianity from Roman Catholicism
English-language singers from the Philippines
People from Malate, Manila
Male actors from Manila
Filipino male comedians
Filipino male film actors
Filipino male models
Filipino male television actors
Star Music artists
Tagalog-language singers
TV5 Network people
University of Santo Tomas alumni
Comedians from Manila