Ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual admitted to feeling renewed excitement in showbiz following the success of projects that came his way, especially after the pandemic.

"I think I had a wake-up call. I remember I was turning 40, and I wanted to quit. Parang, I tried to leave when I was on top of my game. I was humbled by the Lord na ang dami pang projects, which you cannot refuse that come your way," said Piolo during a media conference and thanksgiving event for the Kapamilya series Pamilya Sagrado at the Royal Indian House Cuisine in Morato, Quezon City recently.

Piolo added: "So nagkaroon ako ng renewed excitement because I felt during the pandemic na ang boring pala kapag wala kang ginagawa.

"Hindi ko pala kaya ng walang ginagawa sa buhay. Ayokong maging unproductive. So since the start of the pandemic and then nag loosen na siya. Hindi na talaga ako tumigil.

"I finished four movies during the pandemic. Then, I kept doing stuff left and right. And it has continued since then. So I will always bring my A game so that I won't feel regret after," said Piolo.

Following the success of "Pamilya Sagrado," Piolo said he wanted to make another television series.

"I'm already excited to do another one. After Pamilya Sagrado, I already asked Dreamscape or ABS-CBN, for that matter, what the next show will be.

"Nagkaroon talaga ako ng renewed excitement for content and giving life to more diverse characters nowadays. Right now, we have many choices for different access and platforms," the actor said.

Piolo, 47, expressed his excitement about producing content as a way to stay productive.

"So, I'll never stop creating content and producing stuff that would make me feel productive and, at the same time, may maibigay kang bago.

"I always think of new concepts to serve our audience, something they can be proud of and we can champion as Filipinos," he said.

Dealing with real kontrabidas

Piolo was also asked about dealing with real-life kontrabidas, which he said was not worth his time.

"Hindi ko na pinapansin eh. It's a waste of time. Parang, you are already out in the open, so you'll be bashed or judged. So I'd rather not read or get affected by it.

"Hindi ko siya ikagaganda ng buhay. Hindi ko siya ikagaganda ng pakiramdam. I don't want to feel resentment toward another person so I brush it off, and I don't mind it," the actor said.

Reunion project with Juday

Piolo also said he's ready for a reunion project with actress Judy Ann Santos.

“I’ll drop everything for her. I mean, wow! I owe her so much. I miss working with her. Given a chance, anytime, in a heartbeat. Kahit naman ako nag-e-expect, e, just like them, so sana, sana,” he said.

Asked about the kind of movie he wanted with Juday, Piolo said: “Ang gusto ko sana parang ‘Tagos Ng Dugo.' Parang ganun, mga crime, thriller-suspense, psychological drama. Para hindi na romcom."

Piolo was asked about the cause of the delay in their reunion project. “Not me, ask her. Ako, I’m always open."

Judy and Piolo have done six movie projects together. Their last movie together was "Don't Give Up On Us" in 2006.

'Milestone'

Piolo considers “Pamilya Sagrado” as a “milestone” in his career as the hit series begins a new explosive chapter at its new timeslot at 9:30 PM after “Lavender Fields.”

“I’ve never been this invested in a show. It’s nice to get to play a character na masasabi kong not just challenging, but a milestone for my career as well. I’m so happy seeing their [Kyle Echarri and Grae Fernandez] growth. They owned it,” he shared during the series’ mediacon and thanksgiving event held.

Piolo also couldn’t help but gush about how proud he is of the success of the family drama series and he also praised his co-actors for their dedication to their highly emotional roles.

Kyle and Grae are also thankful to be dubbed by viewers as two of ABS-CBN’s rising leading men and dramatic actors because of their exceptional performance in the show.

“Nakakaka-pressure but I’m so honored to be called one of the “next in line.” Madaming magagaling na artista sa ABS-CBN kaya para sabihin na isa ako doon, talagang nagpapasalamat ako,” shared Kyle.

Grae, meanwhile, said that he always tries his best to give life to any story, “I’ve always been concerned with work and the story. I’m just an actor to serve the story of the writer and the story for the audience na may ibibigay tayo na message and entertainment.”

As “Pamilya Sagrado” opens a new chapter, viewers can expect heart-stopping revelations and action-packed scenes as President Rafael (Piolo) soon discovers that Moises (Kyle) is his biological son, while the rivalry between Moises and Justin (Grae) reaches greater heights.

The new chapter also welcomes Coco Martin as a special guest director.

Watch out for the explosive revelations in “Pamilya Sagrado” airing weeknights at 9:30 PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, and TFC. The series also streams 48 hours before its TV broadcast on iWantTFC. The latest episodes can be enjoyed on-demand for up to 21 days after they are first streamed on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube. 

Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch “Pamilya Sagrado” on TV5 and A2Z. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) on cable and IPTV.

Viewers can also watch a condensed version of week-long episodes in “Pamilya Sagrado Fast Cuts” on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel beginning Sept. 9.