Piolo Pascual
Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual 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 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, Sa Piling Mo, Bakit Di Totoohanin, Till There Was You and Don't Give Up on Us. 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 and Kita Kita. 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, 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.
Business
Hotel and beach resort
Pascual and his business partner Kathryn Bernardo opened Isla Amara, a 42 bedroom boutique hotel in El Nido, Palawan in 2022. He admitted and planned to open 3 or 4 more hotel resorts in Boracay and Siquijor.Production company
In 2018, Pascual has co-founded Spring Films with Joyce Bernal and Erikson Raymundo who serves as President of the company. Spring Film is an independent film company. The company ventures into co-producing Eugene Domingo's Kimmy Dora movie series.Food business
Pascual ventured into food business and opened his own franchise of shawarma in 2018.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.
Awards and nominations
Film and television awards
| Movie/TV Show | Category | Organization/Year |
| Mallari | Best Actor | 7th Eddys Awards |
| Silong | Movie Actor of the Year | 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies |
| Starting Over Again | Movie Actor of the Year | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies |
| Hawak Kamay | Best Performance by an Actor | Gawad TANGLAW Awards |
| Hottest Actor of the Year | 1st Yahoo! OMG! Awards | |
| Lobo | Best Drama Actor | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Piso | Best Single Performance by a Lead Actor | 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Don't Give Up On Us | Best Actor | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies |
| Don't Give Up On Us | Best Actor | 4th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards |
| Milan | Best Actor | 54th FAMAS Awards |
| Mangarap Ka | Best Drama Actor | 1st ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | U.P. Film Desk of the YOUNG CRITICS CIRCLE |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | Gawad Urian Award |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | FAP Awards |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | FAMAS Awards |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | PMPC Star Awards for Movies |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | Gawad PASADO |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | GAWAD TANGLAW |
| Dekada '70 | Best Supporting Actor | 28th Metro Manila Film Festival |
| Dekada '70 | Special Recognition for RARE GRAND SLAM | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards |
Music awards
| Category | Album/Song | Organization/Year |
| Revival Album of the Year | Decades | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music 2010 |
| Album Cover Design of the Year | Decades | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music 2010 |
| Best Album Package | Decades | 23rd AWIT Awards 2010 |
| Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play | Paano Kita Iibigin | 21st AWIT Awards 2008 |
| Male Recording Artist of the Year | 38th Box Office Entertainment Awards 2008 | |
| Male Artist Awardee | Timeless | ASAP 3rd Platinum Circle Awards 2007 |
| Compilation Awardee | Nagmamahal Kapamilya – Songs For Global Pinoys | ASAP 3rd Platinum Circle Awards 2007 |
| Compilation Awardee | Hotsilog – The ASAP Hotdog Compilation Album | ASAP 3rd Platinum Circle Awards 2007 |
| Male Artist Awardee | Timeless | ASAP 24k Awards 2007 |
| Triple Platinum | Timeless | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| 6× Platinum | Nagmamahal Kapamilya – Songs For Global Pinoys | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Gold | Paano Kita Iibigin OST | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Original Theme Song of the Year | Sana’y Malaman Mo | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2007 |
| Platinum | Hotsilog – The ASAP Hotdog Compilation Album | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Gold | Piolo Pascual: Platinum Hits | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Gold | Renditions: Songs of Louie Ocampo | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Platinum | My Gift | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
| Platinum | Piolo | Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. |
- 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 was featured in the 2006 film Don't Give Up on Us.
- Paano Kita Iibigin was the theme song of the movie with the same title released in 2007.
Box-office and entertainment industry awards
| Category | Organization/Award-Giving Body/Year |
| Film Actor of the Year Mallari | Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards |
| Comedy Actor for Television Home Sweetie Home | Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Award |
| Box Office King Starting Over Again | Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Award |
| Most Influential Film Actor of the Year | 4th EdukCircle Awards |
| Most Influential Celebrity Endorser of the Year | 5th EdukCircle Awards |
| Best Male Variety Show Host | 6th EdukCircle Awards |
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award | 62nd FAMAS Awards |
| Dekada Awards | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies |
| One of Anak TV Seal's Most-Admired Male TV Personalities 6 | Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television |
| One of Anak TV Seal's Most-Admired Male TV Personalities | Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television |
| Favorite Actor of the Year | YES! Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards 2007 |
| One of Anak TV Seal's Most-Admired Male TV Personalities | Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television |
| Star in the Philippine Walk of Fame | German Moreno and Eastwood City |
| One of Anak TV Seal's Most-Admired Male TV Personalities | Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television |
| One of Anak TV Seal's Most-Admired Male TV Personalities | Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television |
| Mr. Screen Idol | 53rd FAMAS Awards |
| Mr. RP Movies | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation |
| Mr. RP Movies | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation |
| German Moreno Youth Achievement Award | 50th FAMAS Awards |
| Mr. RP Movies | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation |
| Most Promising Group | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Awards |
| Mr. RP Movies | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation |
Film nominations (in producing)
| Movie | Category | Organization/Year |
| Kimmy Dora | Best Motion Picture | ENPRESS Golden Screen 2010 |
Film nominations (in acting)
| Movie | Category | Organization/Year |
| Starting Over Again | PinakaPASADOng Actor | 17th Gawad PASADO Awards |
| Darling of the Press | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | |
| Manila | Best Actor | GAWAD PASADO Awards 2010 |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Best Actor | FAMAS 2008 |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Best Actor | FAP 2008 |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Best Actor | PMPC Star 2008 |
| Don't Give Up on Us | Best Actor | FAMAS 2007 |
| Dreamboy | Best Actor | GAWAD TANGLAW 2006 |
| Dreamboy | Best Actor | ENPRESS Golden Screen 2006 |
| Milan | Best Actor | GAWAD URIAN 2005 |
| Milan | Best Actor | FAP 2005 |
| Milan | Best Actor | PASADO 2005 |
| Milan | Best Actor | PMPC Star 2005 |
| Milan | Best Actor | ENPRESS Golden Screen 2005 |
| I Think I'm in Love | Best Actor | Manila Film Festival 2002 |
| Mila | Best Actor | FAP 2002 |
| Lagarista | Best Actor | GAWAD URIAN 2001 |
| Esperanza | Best Supporting Actor | FAMAS Awards 2000 |
| Esperanza | Best Supporting Actor | Metro Manila Film Festival 1999 |
| Manila's Finest | Best Actor | 51st Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 |
Television nominations
| TV show | Category | Organization/Award-Giving Body/Year |
| ASAP | Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program | ENPRESS 5th Golden Screen TV Awards |
| Apoy sa Dagat | Best Drama Actor | 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Dahil sa Pag-ibig | Best Drama Actor | 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Noah | Best Drama Actor | 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| ASAP Rocks | Best Male TV Host | 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Lovers in Paris | Best Drama Actor | 24th PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| ASAP 07 | Best Male TV Host | 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Walang Kapalit | Best Drama Actor | 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV |
| Sa Piling Mo | Best Drama Actor | PMPC Star 2006 |
| Mangarap Ka | Best Drama Actor | PMPC Star 2004 |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya Lobo | Best Single Performance by a Lead Actor | PMPC Star Awards for TV 2002 |
| Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako | Best Drama Actor | 4th Asian TV Awards 1999 |
Recording and concert nominations
| Song/Album/Concert Title | Category | Organization/Year |
| Pop Music Male Artist | ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards 2010 | |
| Decades | Male Recording Artist of the Year | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music |
| Decades | Male Pop Artist of the Year | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music |
| Babe | Music Video of the Year | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music |
| Pop Icons | Best Collaboration for a Major Concert | 22nd ALIW Awards 2009 |
| Male Vocalist of 2008 | 1st WAKI OPM Music Awards 2009 | |
| Listeners' Choice for Favorite Male Artist | 1st WAKI OPM Music Awards 2009 | |
| Ten Piolo | Best Major Concert | 21st ALIW Awards 2008 |
| Ten Piolo | Best Performance in a Concert | 21st ALIW Awards 2008 |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Best Performance by a Duet | 21st AWIT Awards 2008 |
| Pop Music Male Artist | ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards 2008 | |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Best Original Song | ENPRESS Golden Screen 2008 |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Movie Original Theme Song | PMPC Star 2008 |
| Favorite Male Artist | 3rd MYX Music Awards 2008 | |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Favorite Collaboration | 3rd MYX Music Awards 2008 |
| Favorite Myx Live Performance | 3rd MYX Music Awards 2008 | |
| Best Major Concert | 20th ALIW Awards 2007 | |
| Pop Music Male Artist | ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards 2007 | |
| Paano Kita Iibigin | Pop Movie Theme Song | ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards 2007 |
| The Gift | Favorite Male Artist | 4th MTV PILIPINAS People's Choice Awards 2004 |
| Kailangan Kita | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | 16th AWIT Awards 2003 |
| Kailangan Kita | Best Pop Recording | 16th AWIT Awards 2003 |
| Kailangan Kita | Song of the Year | 16th AWIT Awards 2003 |