How Piolo Pascual slept on a bench in wintry Madrid

I have never watched a Piolo Pascual film nor have I seen him on television in one of his many shows or movie re-runs.

Though I must admit I have noticed flyers, banners and billboards announcing his latest movie – seriously now, how can one miss them when they are all over town. Piolo Pascual was but a name that I have come across in the columns of Ricky Lo, Boy Abunda and Butch Francisco at the Philippine STAR. For after all, I read the paper, as they say, cover to cover.

But, that was all in the past for we got together recently for today’s column.

What sort of guy he is would be the question in many a mind.

Let me start by saying – remember I was coming in fresh and he was coming in fresh as well from the box office hit release of Till There Was You. After sharing some interesting hours reminiscing on his travels surrounded by boxes and boxes of photographs – it brought back memories of an article I read, illustrated by a startling picture of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor with their photos through the years piled up and filled their bathtub in their home just outside Paris – he constantly reminded me of my three nephews, Eduard, Paco and Alfonso, only sons of my two sisters and a brother, all heirs apparent in their own households, true gentlemen, carving their places in the sun. So there you are.

Bitin? Read on.

Philippine STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

Piolo Pascual: I was 19 years old when my Mom, a resident of the United States, had petitioned for me to join her. I instantly discovered that everything in America was different. Everything was new to me. It was a series of one wow after another. But what I will always cherish was my actual arrival at LAX. You see, I had not seen my Mom for the past six years and I was eager to be with her. It was pure madness at the airport arrival section and she missed me coming out from the customs area through the automatic doors. However, as I was standing there with the required X-ray plate in an over-sized brown envelope all covered in plastic, amid all the chaos surrounded by American-based Filipinos greeting their returning relatives and friends, my Mom spotted my back – that was all she could see, but that was all she had to – and she immediately called my name. "A mother knows," I thought to myself. How can one even question that. Call it what you may – perhaps a mother’s instinct, but definitely a mother’s love.

What won’t you leave home without?

Two precious books. A copy of Our Daily Bread and a Bible which was a birthday gift from Donita Rose. Aside from travel guidebooks and tourism brochures, these are the only books I read whenever I travel. For my daily dosage of news around the world, I depend on BBC and CNN. For news from home, I get it through the text messages from family and friends.

How would you pass time at airports?

Whenever I travel by myself, I dash off to the lounge and relax. But when I’m with company, we usually roam around the terminal, go in and out of stores and the duty-free shops admiring the different items and at times even purchase something we really need, but never found the time to do.

Name your favorite city abroad.

When I was younger, it was Tokyo – hands down. I used to do six clubs or even more a night which I really enjoyed. But this was during the days of my youth. Today, my first choice is Rome and no city comes close. Imagine the history, the ruins, the arts and the culture, the cuisine. Oh, I could go on and on with the fear of sounding like a recording. Let’s not forget la dolce vita. It’s more than just a cliché. Can a city honestly ask for more?

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel?

After all that moving around, no matter how effortless it has been and special thanks to all those who make it possible, I look forward to settling down, setting up my computer, lighting a candle and listening to mood music.

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?

I am an honest-to-goodness sucker for tours of any kind whether self-organized or packaged. I love being a tourist. I am an avid fan of the Lonely Planet Guides. Complete with its detailed maps. It has directed me to places I had no idea how to ever discover or led me to events I never knew existed. The don’t-ever-leave-home-without guidebook is a wonderful source and provider of many pleasant surprises.

What is your favorite spot in the Philippines?

Give me a beach – anywhere, any time. But at this very moment the islands of Palawan – say El Nido – come to mind.

Who or what do you miss most when you’re away from home?

My immediate family especially my son who is five years old going on six, my Mom and my nephews. Would you believe I also miss work? Don’t ask me why.

What is the best travel advice you wish to share?

Keep your sanity. Don’t do anything foolish you will regret someday. Try to have as much fun as you possibly can but don’t ruin your life just because you are on a holiday. Keep sane.

Describe your most memorable trip.

Without a doubt, it has to be the over a month-long European trip at the end of 2001. It began in Milan, where we had a show sponsored by ABS-CBN for the Filipino community. And from there, with the company of my Mom and my sister Patricia Ann, we boarded the train that took us on an extended journey throughout Italy with stop-overs in Florence, Venice, Padua and Rome. Christmas Eve found us on a train to Paris and by New Year’s Eve we were in Amsterdam. Mom had to fly back home to the States, while my sister and I kept on tracking and we did Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. Truly a fun-filled, exciting trip, a most memorable holiday – hard to forget.

What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?

Slept on a bench in a park in Madrid for an entire afternoon in the middle of winter. Strange? I doubt it. Crazy? Definitely yes!

Let’s talk favorites now. What’s your favorite meal and which drink do you often order?

Japanese food – from appetizer to dessert. I go for red wine – I enjoyed it immensely while touring Italy. I seldom go for anything cold since the day some wise men declared it’s bad for the throat. Instead I order a flaming drink – a shot of Blow Job.

Favorite museum?

San Agustin Museum. Have you been there lately? It’s better than ever. Recently some prohibited areas have been opened to public. And the Garden of Father Blanco is something to behold.

Favorite building?

The Empire State Building. It has always fascinated me.

Favorite park?

The park that surrounds the lake complete with a geyser that shoots, up, up into the sky, in the middle of the city of Geneva.

Favorite place of worship?

St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Favorite musicale?

Les Miserables. I love everything about it. Please don’t get me started. Let’s just say, as the orchestra played its last musical note and the curtains barely touched and stage floor, I was the very first one on my feet, applauding and a standing ovation followed.

Favorite store?

Gap. I am a Gap person through and through.

Name a movie you could see over and over again.

The Awakenings with Robert de Niro and Robin Williams – two actors whose works I genuinely admire. I also can’t seem to get enough of the love story of Titanic. You see I can get romantic at times.

Name a book you would recommend others to read.

Is there a better book than the Bible? It has everything a reader looks for. Name it, the great book has it.

What would I find on top of your working table?

My computer and a printer, notebook-diary for my daily schedule and a picture of my sister Patricia Ann.

What would I find on top of your nighttable?

My Bible, a copy of our Daily Bread and Body Butter lotion from Body Shop for my palms and my feet.

What would I find under your bed?

Absolutely nothing for I sleep on a comfortable legless aero bed.

What are you addicted to?

Music – just about all types. I listen to a particular kind depending on my mood at a particular moment.

Let’s hear your top three choices. Three geniuses?

Albert Einstein, Thomas Alba Edison and Alexander Graham-Bell. They certainly contributed to make a better world we live in today.

Three words or statements you always use?

God bless. Take it easy. Panalo – and that’s visually accompanied by two thumbs up!

Three sounds that distract you most?

Seriously can’t think of anything, except blaring, loud heavy rock music.

Three things you would never do?

Strip naked and walk down the street. Give up my career with The Hunks and miss out on our at least once-a-week bonding sessions. And lastly, I would never stop traveling.

Who would you like to bump into – dead or alive – during your travels?

The Pope, Mother Teresa and Jose Rizal.

What do you most enjoy doing on a Sunday?

Catching up with the family after church and the weekly Sunday show ASAP.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

My adorable sister Patricia Ann. She’s almost like my twin. Same interests. Same outlook in life. She takes care of me. And I also look after her. Oh yes, she’s a barrel of fun!

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in.

The Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I have always been mesmerized by what I have seen and read about it. It’s an old obsession – perhaps a dream.

What are your pasalubongs – inbound and outbound?

I am sorry to say but I must honestly admit that I have never gotten into the habit of buying pasalubongs. I often wondered who started all this. Come to think of it, does it mean I am less thoughtful?

What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?

Nude-colored boxer shorts for the members of The Hunks with only the crotch of the Statue of David printed right there, say in a very strategic place.

Let’s fill in the blanks. "When I am happy, I..."

"...just talk and talk and talk.

"When I am sad, I..."

"...keep to myself. Gather my thoughts. Analyze the situation and talk to Him.

Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you do after returning home?

Contact my friends and plan a get-together.

Name a place you have never visited but would like to someday?

The Rice Terraces of Sagada, Banaue, Mayoyao. I never had the opportunity nor the reason to visit London and friends have warned me that I am missing a lot.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Maldives with its many islands and its several beaches surrounded by countless dive sites. Must be paradise on Earth.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Being yourself – doing the things you have always wanted to do but simply could not for whatever reasons.

What would you say then is the worst part of travel?

The packing and the unpacking of suitcases. Oh, I just hate it!

If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

Santa Barbara in California.