Piolo Pascual On What Really Happened To Him And Shaina Magdayao

AFTER THE monster hit movie, “Starting Over Again”, Piolo Pascual will next be seen in the heartwarming family drama “Hawak Kamay”. “I will play the role of Gin, a struggling singer-musician, medyo mahilig uminom, who inherits three adopted orphan children from my late sister, Jennifer Sevilla, after she suddenly died in an accident,” he says. “There were several scripts pitched to me for my comeback project on primetime TV and I chose this one. It’s a powerful drama kasi hindi ko sila mga tunay na anak but I am given the chance to give them a better life as their surrogate father. Gin starts without any direction sa buhay niya. Ayaw niya sa mga bata, but he committed to his late sister so he takes them in, without knowing they’ll give a new direction to his life.”

Playing the orphan kids are Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat and Grand i-Shiner Yesha Camile who Piolo himself mentored during the i-Shine Talent Camp. “It’s intimidating to act opposite these child superstars kasi they don’t use any acting techniques. Mas raw ang reactions nila, so it’s more challenging for me. There’s always something to discover with them kasi iba-iba ang atake nila sa eksena. It’s really refreshing to work with them. Also, we start taping early at 7 AM kasi bawal sila mapuyat. Unang kukunan lahat ng scenes nila then pag wala na sila, yung iba namang adult members of the cast.”

Co-starring with them are Iza Calzado, Nikki Gil, the comebacking Victor Neri (now a heavyweight) as Zaijian’s real dad, Andrea Brillantes, Ryan Bang, Sofia Andres and PBB’s Axel Torres. The series will start airing on Monday replacing “Dyesebel” after “24 Oras”.

Piolo clarified the stories that he already wanted to quit showbiz. “That was before, kasi na-burn out na ako after working in the business for so long already. I also wanted to spend more time with my son Inigo. But ‘Starting Over’ came and became a big hit, then ABS-CBN offered me a new contract and this new show. How can I resist a beautiful offer? So now, I’m staying. Sinabi ko na lang sa anak ko that when he turns 18 in two years, I’ll take time out so we can travel together.”

He says his son is being offered by an American talent manager-producer to be the frontline in a boyband that’s being organized. “But I told him schooling should remain his top priority. As much as possible, I don’t want him to join showbiz at magtapos muna ng studies niya. Pumayag naman yung talent manager na magte-training lang siya with the boy band after his classes.”

What happened to his romance with Shaina Magdayao? “It’s going to be unfair for any girl na makarelasyon ko ngayon simply because I won’t have time for her. But of course, I dream of meeting that special someone. I’ll be 40 in three years. Even if I’m enjoying my single blessedness, gusto ko namang may kahawak kamay at ayoko tumandang mag-isa.”

How is it working anew with Iza Calzado in “Hawak Kamay”? “She did her first movie with me, ‘Milan’, ten years ago. Tapos nagkasama kami uli recently in ‘Starting Over’. I feel good to be a witness to her blossoming and growth as an actress. She’s one of the most beautiful faces in local showbiz and it’s always great to work with her.”