Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

There are those who would go the extra mile for a selfless act or purpose. On 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.

Piolo arrived in Los Angeles on Friday night, practiced with the band Saturday morning and performed on the same night, then flew back to Manila on Sunday.

Cherry Ordonez (owner of Cherry’s Salon in West Covina) and Queenie Paris, who are both good friends of Piolo and his family, produced the concert. Their company, ACTS Production, has been the official event organizer of ABS-CBN in California. Major sponsors of the concert were Carol Yam of Unistar and Total Resources International (TRI).

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."