What keeps Piolo running

It’s a cliché but it’s true in the case of Piolo Pascual, one of the very few real good men in showbiz — you can’t put a good man down.

Despite the sticks and stones hurled at him, Piolo stands tall, letting his talent speak for him, sturdy like the Narra Tree and, to quote a line from the poem, “pliant like the bamboo.” He rolls with the punches without punching back.

So what keeps Piolo running?

Running, for one thing.

He has run for Timex, one of the products he’s endorsing, and on Nov. 23 (a Saturday), Piolo will lead the 2013 SunPiology Color Run around the Bonifacio Global City, spearheaded by Sun Life Philippines (alongside Star Magic celebrities) which he’s also endorsing. (Registration is still open for all categories until Nov. 15. For more information, visit www.sunpiology.com)

At 5’10”, Piolo weighs between 170 and 180 lbs. (depending on occasional changes in his diet); and wears medium-size briefs, small/medium T-shirt and size-10 shoes. He’s a Capricornian through and through.

Any tips for would-be runners (preparation, shoes and outfit to wear, etc.)?

“No pun intended but you gotta be able to carry yourself physically. Weight has a lot to do with how you’re able to run, how you’re able to carry your body. A lot of hydration and it has to be regular. You can’t run at 21k without training, you can’t run a 10k with only three hours of sleep but some people do that. I’ve done it twice pero it’s not safe. You have to gauge your distance and your maximum capacity and it’s advisable to check on your heart rate and eat a lot after. Before you run, make do with a banana or a protein shake, something really light, and have good sleep.

“I advise you not to listen to ‘ear-phone’ music because you gotta mind the street signs or the traffic. I like running on the road. You gotta be mindful of the do’s and don’t’s; be careful when you run. Running is fun. For me, it started out as a time for meditation; I’m able to pray while running which gives you a lot of quiet time for yourself. You only hear yourself, your breathing and then you talk to the Lord…you contemplate. Running does a lot to your system, your health, your body.”

Asked how, as a runner, does he keep his body in tip-top shape, Piolo said, “Discipline, constant/regular training. It’s not even about dieting. I just follow a balanced diet and I watch what I eat. But I never deprive myself of anything. And I must sleep a minimum of six hours per night and eight hours maximum, or longer.”

Then, Conversations did a “sexy talk” with Piolo who turned out to be, — surprise, surprise! — game. You know how reserved he can be when it comes to personal issues.

What is sexy to you?

“What is sexy to me? It’s the most frequently asked question. As much as I want to elaborate or put it simply, I guess sexy is just knowing yourself and how to exude sexiness based on your personality without any effort. That is sexy to me. It’s something that is expressed without trying to be sexy. More than anything, it should be an expression and letting people decide whether you’re sexy or not.”

When do you feel sexy?

“I feel sexiest after working out or upon waking up when I’m able to shed three to five pounds after a steam bath.” 

What part of your body do you find sexiest?

“Well, a lot of people say it’s my eyes. My stunning point so to speak. Personally, I think it’s my legs, my calves. I gotta thank my dad for it. It’s in the genes, I guess.”

What part of a woman’s body do you find sexiest?

“The legs. Yeah, I like long-legged women. And the eyes.”

When did you lose your innocence?

“Secret.” (Laughs) “I guess I was very young then.”

To a younger woman, older woman or a woman your age?

“She was older.”

Lights on or lights off?

“Both.” (Pauses) “I’m sorry, with candles or dim lighting.”

Have you received any “indecent proposal”; how did you react to it?

“Yeah. It’s absurd. You don’t even entertain the thought because it’s indecent and morally wrong.”

Sexiest book?

“I don’t know. I’m not into fiction.”

Sexiest movie?

“One of the early movies I like was Ghost — Demi Moore, the music, the pot-making...Woah! Recently, it should be The Notebook. It’s a kilig movie. ‘Yun lang naiisip ko, so far.”

Sexiest musical instrument?

“The cello.”

Sexiest song?

“Siyempre, top of mind ‘yung ano…” (Sings) “...oh my love, my darling…” The soundtrack of Ghost. Unchained Melody.”

Sexiest TV show?

“Friends? For lack of a better choice?” (Laughs) “I don’t get to watch TV.”

Sexiest food?

“Anything sweet. I find Japanese food sexy and impressive. It’s not just food, it’s art.”

Sexiest car?

“Jaguar. Sports car, yeah.”

Sexiest perfume?

“It’s a toss-up between Obsolete versus Green by Versace and Black Creed. It’s what I use.” (Smiles) “For women, anything light or fruity, I’m impressed by women who are brave enough to wear Jo Malone. Sobra kasi. It has to complement your body chemistry. Jo Malone is very European for Asian women. In showbiz, I smell a lot of them wearing Jo Malone. I find it sexy.” 

Sexiest part of the house?

“For now, it has to be my living room overlooking the balcony and the view outside. I’m so fascinated with this area in my loft where there’s the couch. You see the metropolis behind you and the couch is not facing the wall, it’s facing the door, so I have to reach back to see the view, so I find it sexy.”

Sexiest animal?

“Jaguar.” (Laughs) “I find dogs, and even fish, that are aggressive very sexy. Kasi I train every day, so when I see my hammerhead shark, I think para sigurong puro muscle itong isdang ‘to. With dogs naman, I find the big ones that are aggressive sexy. Maybe because their metabolism is always high, fast, so they tend to look really big and just right.”

Sexiest billboard?

“Bench always comes up with good themes, especially for summer.”

Sexiest scene you have seen in a movie?

“The one with Cindy Crawford and William Baldwin in the 1995 movie Fair Game. I can’t think of anything else.”

Sexiest thing you have ever done to yourself?

“Is there ever such a thing? No! I refuse to…I love myself to a certain extent but I don’t look at myself in the mirror and adore my body. I’m OK with how I look but I don’t worship my body.”

Sexiest thing you have ever done to or with somebody?

“Siyempre censored na ‘yun.” (Laughs)

 Sexiest clothes?  

“I’ve always liked women wearing dresses. Cocktail dresses. They don’t have to be flashy or loud. I like it when they look ladylike.”

Sexiest concert you have ever seen?

“Wala. I don’t watch female concerts, eh.”

Sexiest fantasy?

“Running on the beach naked.” (Laughs) “It’s gotta be with my wife, though. Maybe on a private beach, somewhere off the coast, off the grid.”

Sexiest face of a woman?

“I’ve always liked Winona Ryder’s face. Recently, it’s Natalie Portman.”

Three women that you find sexy?

“I guess, Beyoncé has the right curves in the right places. I’ve always admired Madonna and how she has aged through the decades; she has managed to look fit. Generally, I find sexy women who have given birth and are able to maintain their weight Kung titingnan mo parang walang nangyari.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)