There are those who would go the extra mile for a selfless act or purpose. Last September 11, heartthrob and multi-awarded actor-singer Piolo Pascual went an extra 7,000 miles to help Charisma Life Church spread the Gospel and raise funds for an outreach center in Pomona.
In an exclusive interview with Asian Journal right before the concert, Piolo shared that it was his first Christian concert.
“I am passionate about God. I have surrendered my life to Him and I go wherever He takes me, do whatever He wants.“I have shared my personal testimony before in a church in the Philippines. But this is the first time I will be doing a concert in a church, with almost half of the songs, Christian songs,” Piolo said.
Like in all his concerts, women shrieked and screamed and shouted, “I love you Piolo!” Several times, Piolo wanted to go around the auditorium but was prevented from doing so by throngs of ladies who all wanted to hug, kiss and take pictures with him. “Ladies, we are in a church. Please behave!” he said jokingly several times during the show.
Indeed, Piolo has an irresistible, indescribable charm—a fact which may be the secret to his continuing success. Yet, the devout born-again believer remains humble in giving due glory to his Maker and to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Starting the concert with the Christian song, Indescribable, Piolo shared his testimony which inspired the audience even more.
“I was at the top of my career when I surrendered my life to God. So many things were happening to me at that time. I had just finished Dekada 70 where we won 10 awards. At the young age of 25, I was winning awards and earning millions already. I was working then with Donita Rose and she gave me a Bible. Donita told me to read the Bible and it will change my life.”
“I thought how can a book change my life? I was then, so full of myself. I can act. I can sing. I’m talented. I thought I didn’t need anything. But, I’d go home and look at my trophies and feel there is a big void in my life. I appreciated the recognition from my peers in the industry but there was still something lacking; something missing in my life. I cried out to God-I don’t know what to do.”
“He then made me realize that I was living a very worldly life, apart from Him. Yet, God blessed me so much. It was then that I realized my need for God—not when I was at the bottom needing help—but when I was on top and had everything but God. I surrendered my life to God. And my life has never been the same. God has become my reason for living. I live to share my faith. There is an overflowing grace of God in me. I told our pastor I wanted to just be a pastor but he challenged me to remain in the entertainment industry. He said that God put me in the field of entertainment and I can reach more people where I am. My purpose is to be someone in showbiz who can spread the Truth of God’s Word. God has placed me here and I will shine for him,” said Piolo who now holds a bible study in his home every Sunday.
“He’s been so good to me,” he says. “Honestly, I don’t feel I deserve all these blessings. But I savor each one of them and I treat it as a gift. Now I want to be a living example of God’s goodness.”
During the concert, the audience kept asking Piolo about KC, his rumored girlfriend. Piolo laughed as questions like “Asan si KC?,” and Kailan ang kasal?,” kept popping up.
“Busy si KC eh. But, we’re good. Our friendship is growing. I like being around her. She’s one person I like sharing my life with.”
To questions about marriage, Piolo just said, “Hopefully, before I get to be 40, I will have a family.”
Speaking about his son, Iñigo, during the interview, Piolo admitted, “I am protective of my son, Iñigo. I don’t want him to enter showbiz. But, he is musically-inclined. I bring him to my sets during taping so he will see my life—like I have to be in the set at 6 am and work till past midnight. Then I asked him, do you want this kind of life? Yes, daw. But we have a deal—I told him to graduate first, get a college degree. If he wants to be an actor after he graduates, I can’t stop him.”
Asked by Asian Journal how he handles his finances, Piolo shared. “When I earn money, I put it straight to the bank. I want to be liquid and I save for rainy days. I also have insurance policies for the future. I invest in real estate—in the Philippines and in the US.”
Because he is so busy with showbiz, Piolo said he really doesn’t have time for another full-time business. “If you have a business, you have to be hands on. Because of my career, I can’t be busy doing another business. But I have started producing. My first venture was an independent film entitled Manila, which enabled me to attend Cannes Festival. I have also produced a second film, Kimidora,” revealed the actor/singer.
“I got into producing to expand my knowledge in my craft. I am exploring the producing side. I want to find the right concept. I want films that give a lesson,” he stressed.
Piolo shared that two major Bible verses influence him in his life: Matthew 6:3 - “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well,” and Proverbs 3:5-7 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
“Life is not complete without any challenges,” Piolo acknowledged. “With God’s help, I know I can meet all the challenges. The soundtrack of my life is the song, I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin.”
The former Hunks idol has been called by God to meet a challenge, and by His grace, Piolo has risen excellently to show the grace and goodness of God.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(New York/New Jersey Dec 10-16, 2010 LifeEASTyle p.2)
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