Why Piolo should have a bodyguard

Piolo Pascual and I have a “same–time-next-year” date every November. We meet for good food over lunch while we get entertained by some good singers and dancers. And a little sweet talk. Well, okay, with maybe a hundred other people in the ballroom.

I’m talking about Ayala Malls’ annual Christmas lunch where they show sneak previews of their wining, dining, shopping and entertaining treats for the holiday season. I look forward to this because I don’t want to miss the quips and funny stories of Ayala patriarch Don Jaime Zobel who heads our table, together with his family  members (this year, it’s Sofia Zobel-Elizalde and Lizzie Zobel) and Ayala execs Rowena Tomeldan, Bobby Dy and Junie Jalandoni. And of course, Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby who are the headliners in their mall’s Christmas shows.

It’s difficult to have a “date” like Piolo because everyone wants to have a selfie or an interview with him. But somehow I managed to ask him a few questions:

People want to have selfies with you or shake your hands. I’ve heard of celebrities discovering they’ve been victimized by gropers or thieves after going through a crowd of fans. Have you had any such experiences?

Once, a gay person approached me in a mall and grabbed my crotch. I was too stunned and shocked to react. The mall security people came to my rescue.

That’s why celebrities have bodyguards. You should have one. At least have a driver trained as a bodyguard too.

My driver is only up to here (points to his shoulder).

What’s the  saddest thing you experience as a movie star?

When you hear bad things said about you and they come from your colleagues who you thought were your friends.

Okay, let’s talk about Christmas. What has been your saddest Christmas?

When I was 18 and I spent Christmas on duty as a clerk at Garfield Hospital in Los Angeles.

And your happiest Christmas?

Last year, when my whole family spent Christmas together in LA, that really made me happy.

How will you spend your Christmas this year?

With my whole family again, this time in Japan.

What are the best Christmas gifts you have received?

Aside from his gifts, I love receiving cards and notes from my son Iñigo.

What gifts do you usually enjoy giving?

I love giving bags for Christmas. I let my sister in LA do the shopping for me. They’re not naman expensive bags, but nice.

Do you give gifts to your leading ladies?

Yes, I do, usually at the end of our taping or filming, I give a gift, like a simple piece of jewelry, to my leading lady.

How do you spend time while waiting for your cue during shootings?

Oh, I always bring my training gear and I do gym exercises wherever I am in a shoot, even in a tent.

Tell me something we don’t know about you.

I love sleeping!  I can sleep from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. I really sleep early especially when I have an early shooting the next day. It’s the lack of sleep I hate most in  my job.

And what’s your Christmas wish?

An end to war, and less poverty around us.

* * *

Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook@milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mananquilmillet@gmail.com.