Can you tell how "old" Piolo Pascual is?

Truth is, the actor is 43---but he is as dashing as when he was 20.
In a virtual media event, Piolo revealed the secret to his youthful looks.

"I've always believed na if you have positive outlook in life, mag-mamanifest siya physically," he said.

Also, he gets enough sleep. Oh, and he keeps hydrated all the time.

"But the real secret siguro is that I have a lot of things to be grateful for. If you are thankful for what you have, that alone is enough to keep you alive and happy."

Saving is a must

Piolo has always been into saving money.

"Practically, when you start working, dapat talaga you know how to save," he pointed out.

Asked if he had to change his spending habits this time of pandemic, Piolo said "no."

"Since I was a a kid, may idea na ako about it. Sumasali ako ng paluwagan. Basically practice na sa amin yung art of saving. So siguro mas nakatipid pa ngayon because walang travel, walang shopping," he said.

It helps Piolo does not spend beyond what he can afford. This is one of the "life hacks" he imparted to his son, Iñigo.

"I'm glad he never spends beyond what he earns. He won't splurge. Never siya nag-engage sa mga luho, he never took advantage of the idea na may kinikita siya. Kampante ako na Iñigo knows how to handle his finances."

New videos

While several entertainment programs have returned on air, some believe it will take a while before the movies and live shows follow suit.

As for Piolo, he's still able to use his acting skills in videos for his latest endorsement.

The videos, produced by BDO, are spoofs and puns of his hit romantic films featuring overseas Filipinos (OFWs) as characters. The videos were based on the films "Milan," where Piolo starred with Claudine Barretto; and "Starting Over Again" that paired him with Toni Gonzaga.

For Piolo, the release of the videos now has more poignant meaning.

"When we first worked on these videos, iniisip ko na it was a very light, witty way of looking at ourselves as an audience. Mahilig talaga tayo sa mga ma-drama na films. Natuwa ako rito sa project kasi nabalikan namin yung mga classic, memorable lines galing sa films," Piolo said.

"Nag-isip ako: Bakit nga ba mga overseas Filipinos ang mga karakter sa mga films natin? HIndi ba dahil marami silang hinaharap na challenges? Itong storytelling, yung pag-share natin ng mga kwento ng buhay nila, parang tulay yan eh, na nagko-connect sa atin.

"Ang nagiging resulta niyan, yung mga nasa abroad, yung mga mahal natin sa buhay na malalayo, they feel less lonely. Nagkakaroon tayo ng link sa kanila, through these movies. Mas ramdam natin na kahit magkalayo tayo, our stories connect us. Ramdam natin na nandito pa rin tayo para sa isat-isa."

According to Piolo, all the drama we feel and go through -- loneliness, isolation, anxiety, even fear -- are valid responses to the pandemic.

"Ang kaibahan lang, when we go through drama in the movies, nagiging emotional tayo; malungkot, nakakaiyak, pero nagkakaroon tayo ng release. May catharsis. Gumagaan ang pakiramdam. Nagkakaroon ng pag-asa. May katapusan ang drama sa sine. Two hours lang.

"Pero ngayon, ang drama natin, tunay na buhay. Hindi pa natatapos. Naka-lockdown na tayo mga 100 days. Nakaka-miss na yung mga dati nating ginagawa," he said.

Piolo thinks the videos have an important, two-fold message.

"Una, yung ma-realize natin na pwede naman nating malagpasan yang drama. Pagdaraanan pero lilipas din. Life goes on. May mga seryoso tayong problema--but we can still look at the lighter side, we can still have a good laugh," he maintained.

"Gusto ko rin sa mga videos yung meron siyang call to action. May sense na kahit maraming problema, may magagawa pa rin tayo. Kahit mahirap ang mga pangyayari, theres always a light to guide us. We can always find ways to overcome."

The videos will be shown on BDO Unibanks YouTube channel and on BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

#habits

40 is the new 'pogi' for Piolo Pascual