Piolo Pascual: More than just a 'Pambansang Papa,' what the team behind 'Ibarra' learned about the actor

As expected, “Ibarra” drew curiosity with Piolo Pascual in the lead role in a musical that tackles the weighty topics of oppression and revolution, an attempt by the actor to shed his image as "pambansang papa." No doubt he can act, but can he sing? Like, sing on the theater stage, which is technically different and more difficult than belting out tunes in concerts and recordings, or doing your own version of bathroom karaoke. Piolo Pascual plays the title role in “Ibarra,” his first outing in a musical. Photo courtesy of Tanghalang Una Obra
As a late starter, Pascual’s theater voice is a work-in-progress that’s still being molded by husband-and-wife voice coaches, Camille Lopez-Molina and Pablo Molina. Pascual needs all the help he can get, as he is fully aware of the difficulties of composer Joed Balsamo’s soaring passages. In a Facebook post, Lopez-Molina described her famous student’s rigorous ethic: “He drank in all of the information, wholeheartedly stepped out of his comfort zone and embraced a process that, in an ideal world, would have taken months, even years for some." Pascual in a scene with Kevin Posadas, who alternates with Jeffrey Hidalgo for the role of Elias. Photo by Tanghalang Una Obra
Some theater fans who came to the invitational preview walked away impressed, like stylist Michael Salientes. “I told Camille (Lopez-Molina) ‘In fairness, *ang hirap ng mga songs* ni Piolo,’” he says. “*Torture ang ginawa sa kanya* \- a great challenge that he overcame and passed with flying colors\.” For graphic designer Reese Balmori\, Pascual's scenes with Kevin Posadas’ Elias were her favorites because “their voices complemented each other\.” “Overall the musical was rock solid\, Balmori enthuses\, “like Piolo’s abs\!” Amy Pascual, on the other hand, was surprised by her son’s transformation. Ibarra’s librettist, Jomar Fleras, recalls bumping into Mrs. Pascual in GSIS’s driveway, and telling her that she must be proud of her son. “She said, *‘anong ginawa nyo sa kanya*?’” Fleras says laughing. Being new to the scene, the actor initially felt uncomfortable in the unfamiliar world of theater. But Ibarra’s creative team, along with the entire cast, helped the actor navigate a challenging juncture in his spectacularly successful career. And he couldn’t have asked for a better support group which consisted of some of Philippine theater’s most gifted stalwarts and promising newcomers. (Left to right) Carlos Canlas (Alferez), Kevin Posadas (Elias), Jon Joven Uy (Pilosopo Tasyo) waiting in the wings of the GSIS Theater. Photo by Tanghalang Una Obra
Carlo Canlas, Pascual’s understudy who also plays an adorably high-strung and fidgety Alferez, was key in bridging the gap between the actor and the rest of the cast during the early days of rehearsals. “*Nag-open up siya sa akin na medyo nahihiya siya*,” Canlas recalls. “*Dumating siya, hindi pa niya alam yung music. Hindi yan magwo-work sa theater, sabi ko sa kanya. We all have to meet halfway.* I told him *na nahihiya din yung ibang ensemble* because he’s a star. *Pag nagpupunta kami sa rehearsal, wala kaming kasama. Siya may mga assistants, so medyo nakaka-intimidate.* He told me, ’give me time … give me time.’” It would take about two weeks before Pascual made the effort to connect with his cast mates. “*Ngayon, close na kami. Makulit na rin siya!*,” Canlas exclaims. “One time, *sabi niya wag ako tatabi kay* Roby Malubay (whose elegant baritone is perfectly suited for the role of the very formal Tenyente Guevarra, btw), *kasi mukha daw akong barangay tanod*!” Carla Guevara Laforteza as Donya Victorina with Piolo Pascual. Photo by Erick dela Cruz
Some of the cast didn’t have to warm up to the musical’s star, like the raunchy Donya Victorina, played with delicious aplomb by Carla Guevara Laforteza. “We entered showbiz at the same time,” Laforteza recalls. “Everyone calls him Papa P or PJ,” Laforteza says, “but to me, he is my Paps.” “*Sobra kong mahal yan. Naku, he is makulit!* But truly, literally the most beautiful man inside and out. He is so hardworking, loving, kind and *super malambing!* *Pilyo.. pero mabait.* Our friendship is the kind *na kahit hindi kami magkita for a very long time, walang ilangan, walang hiyaan* when we see each other. *Kaya guys, totoong may* forever with Piolo!”
Pascual (seated left), Myramae Meneses as Maria Clara (seated right), Kevin Posadas as Elias (extreme right) with the musical’s ensemble. Photo by Tanghalang Una Obra
Jeffrey Hidalgo is another of Pascual’s friends from way back. “We’re actually like family, so I was no longer surprised that he bonded with the whole cast and production like he did,” Hidalgo says. “It was all just very organic and Piolo, the superstar that he is, is one of the most genuinely nice persons I’ve known. I’m just so happy that he’s having a blast and now he’s been bitten by the theater bug!.” Pascual will have to make a major adjustment as Hidalgo takes over the role of Elias.  “I can’t do what Kevin does vocally, and age-wise, I am much older,” Hidalgo admits. “So I guess I will have a very different approach. I am so excited, but also really pressured because I have big shoes to fill. Masyadong ginalingan ni Kevin, bwisit! Haha!” Jeffrey Hidalgo, an original member of Smokey Mountain, alternates with Kevin Posadas as Elias. Photo by Tanghalang Una Obra
The adjustment comes at a difficult time, close on the heels of Pascual’s performance last June 11 when the unthinkable happened. Pascual, despite his rigid preparations, was having trouble hitting the high notes. Director Frannie Zamora stayed calm, saying that “these things happen even to the best of the best.” During the weeks when they all rehearsed and worked together, the cast got to know the man behind the celebrity. One who is disciplined ("*never siyang naging late,”* says Fleras), and a perfectionist who wouldn’t stop until he got things right. Pascual is the generous colleague who brought merienda and even hosted dinners for the entire cast and production team; the *alaskador* who poked fun at his cast mates in between shows; the humble actor who apologized to everyone every time he made a mistake, or reached out when he needed help. After the show last June 11, Piolo Pascual headed to Spirits Library together with cast mates (clockwise from bottom left) Aira Maglinao, Roby Manubay,Richelle Joson, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Jomar Fleras (librettist), Carlos Canlas (with cap), Mio Infante (production designer), Joseph Billena and Ariel Perino. In the afternoon of June 11, Ibarra’s cast saw the consummate performer who overcame the strain of performing live five days in a row, and the massive pressure from being Piolo Pascual to finish the show despite struggling with the high notes. *“Hindi siya nag give up,”* Canlas says, “and I think the audience felt that.”  “*Ang dami niyang na-inspire.* The fact that he stood there, *lumaban siya.*” Ibarra show dates are June 15, 16 (8 p.m.), June 17 (3 p.m., 8 p.m.) and June 18 (3 p.m.) at the GSIS Theater, Pasay City. Tickets are available at Ticketworld, with part of the proceeds benefiting Rise Against Hunger Philippines’ school feeding program. *Words by Devi De Veyra*