How can one say no to an interview with the iconic heartthrob of Philippine show business? Surely not even a non-showbiz journalist like me – so today, just for today, I take a break from my commentaries on the economy, and share my lovely chat with the man they call Papa P.
It was a meet-greet-and-chat sort of day with the enduring Piolo Pascual as I sat down with him one afternoon at the ABS-CBN headquarters to talk about his latest movie, Meet, Greet & Bye by Star Cinema.
The movie opened yesterday, Nov. 12, and as I write this, I have not seen the film – although Piolo said I shouldn’t miss it. And perhaps, neither should you.
Why? The family drama, he says, is timely and a good reminder for you and me of what truly matters most – our loved ones.
And that’s what we really talked about, more than the movie itself.
I asked what his advice would be to young people who are now navigating life in the age of isolation and social media – truly, a distracted, if not cataclysmic, age.
For Piolo, who has spent decades under the spotlight and whose light continues to shine and endure, the message is simple yet urgent: reconnect – with your family, with real life, with what truly matters.
“Time is of the essence,” he says.
“You’ll never know when you’ll have to face a trial in the family. So never waste a moment.”
Piolo, who lost his father at the young age of 16, said there is no way of knowing when our loved ones will die.
“We have to give love and affection while we still can because we’ll never know when the other person is going to go,” Piolo says.
Meet, Greet & Bye reunites Piolo with Maricel Soriano in a story about family, the ties that bind and the inevitable conflicts that come and go.
Piolo plays Tupe, the eldest son who returns home after years abroad – something that Piolo himself experienced while living in the United States. “It’s very relatable,” he says.
“This kind of family, the conflicts – it happens in real life.”
Family over fame
Against this backdrop, Piolo stresses the importance of family.
He reminds us to treasure the time with loved ones, especially in an age that is increasingly distracted by screens, noise and the need for external validation.
“Never waste a moment. You seize the day and make sure that you’re able to communicate your appreciation. Whatever you’re feeling toward another person in your family that has to be addressed. Don’t delay. You’ll definitely appreciate life even better after watching the film – especially your family.”
For him, the family remains not just the heart of Filipino culture, but our lifeline amid life’s fleeting pace.
When asked what keeps him grounded despite his enduring fame, Piolo doesn’t hesitate.
“My family,” he says.
The youngest of six children, Piolo says his family continues to treat him as they always have – chores, errands and all.
“They never made me feel as if I’m a star. They keep me real,” he says.
A changing world
He acknowledges that the entertainment landscape has changed drastically with the rise of streaming and social media, but he takes it as a challenge.
My teenage daughter, who joined me in the chat, asked him: What do you think young girls like me can learn from the movie?
“Appreciate your elders and know the value of family because they’re your lifeline. They will support you whether things are good or bad. Bottom line is, they’ll be there for you whether you like it or not. Just know that they are your allies – they’re not there to cause you harm but to defend you, support you and just be there for you,” Piolo says.
The fights, he says, are all part of growing up.
“But always know that everyone in your family means well.”
Sky’s the limit
Piolo’s counsel cuts through the clutter: value connection over clicks, substance over spectacle and family over fame.
For an actor who has witnessed the shifts of both industry and generation, Piolo Pascual’s enduring relevance may well come from this very clarity – that beyond the roles and reels, life’s truest measure lies in love, humility and the courage to keep learning.
For my final question, I asked Piolo the reason for his staying power.
With his trademark charming smile, he says it’s all about humility and the willingness to never stop learning.
“Learn from it and never stop being a student. Because at the end of the day, that’s what will take you to places you’ve never been. Know that God wants what’s best for you, and as long as you tap into your potential, the sky’s the limit.”
In a distracted age where attention flits from screen to screen, Piolo Pascual’s words serve as a gentle reminder: pause, reconnect and cherish what truly matters.
Beyond the roles and the fame, it is in love, humility and the courage to keep learning that we find our enduring relevance – and perhaps, our truest selves.
And that, in a nutshell, is what I learned from an afternoon well spent with the iconic Papa P.
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