Piolo Pascual

Nokia finally announced it’s very own mini laptop called the Nokia Booklet 3G. This netbook-like portable laptop takes on the dozens and dozens of existing netbook-makers in the market. Will the added features and Ovi cut it?

The Nokia Booklet 3G will run a Windows OS (most probably Windows 7) instead of the originally-rumored Moblin OS and is powered by Intel’s Atom processor.

The 10.1-inch netbook will also have a staggering battery life of 12 hours and will have 3G/HSDPA, A-GPS and a hotswappable SIM card. There’s HDMI as well. No other details on the hard drive, RAM and graphics but Nokia promises to reveal all of them on September 2 at the Nokia World 2009.

MANILA – Hunk actor Piolo Pascual has turned down an offer to host ABS-CBN’s popular noontime show “Wowowee” while Willie Revillame remains on leave.

In a press conference for “Kimmy Dora,” a film he produced, Pascual said his busy schedule prevents him from hosting the daily show. According to him, he was even invited to host “Wowowee” on Tuesday and Thursday but he begged off due to prior commitments.

The star is taping for his upcoming television series “Lovers in Paris” three times a week. In between shootings, he is promoting Spring Films’ “Kimmy Dora,” which will be shown on September 2. “Kimmy Dora” features lead stars Eugene Domingo and Dingdong Dantes.

Pascual is also scheduled to do a film with child actor Zaijan Jaranilla.

The actor, however, is not closing his doors to “Wowowee.”

“You know, given a chance, of course gusto ko. Kasi ilang beses na din akong nag-host sa ‘Wowowee.’ So hopefully soon,” the actor said.

as of 08/20/2009 7:08 PM

Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion were amongst the early birds during the recently-concluded ABS-CBN trade launch at NBC Tent because they have to rehearse their own version of Lovers In Paris’ theme song which they performed for the first time later that night. Though they actually looked like the perfect couple onstage, Piolo confessed to ABS-CBN.com that it was still a nerve-wracking experience because people expected more from them because of their growing relationship off cam. “It’s hard because we work together. It would have been so much easier kung hindi kami magkatrabaho. But the thing is, magkasama kami sa trabaho. I thought it could have been an advantage but then again parang mas nakakatakot kasi ang daming mata ang nakatingin sa inyo palagi. Mas may pressure but we’re okay,” he began.

Some people couldn’t help but doubt the motive behind their closeness though because they have already seen that during KC’s previous team-up with Richard Gutierrez. Piolo was aware of similar speculations hence he decided to keep his personal intentions low-profile to avoid further intrigues. “Oo naman, nililigawan ko pa rin si Kristina, it hasn’t stopped. Siguro mas focused lang kami ngayon sa trabaho. So para hindi rin malito yung mga tao, ito muna ang makikita nila (KC and Piolo on cam). We’re working doubly hard para sa success ng show. Mahirap as it is, pero we try to be effective naman. On a personal level, whatever we share it’s really something, important, it’s something we treasure, and it’s something we try to nurture,” he stressed.

When asked if it’s true that there was a point when Lovers In Paris was to be removed from ABS-CBN’s program line-up this year because KC is not yet ready for a full-length soap, Piolo was quick to dismiss such rumors. Piolo further assured the viewers that the much-awaited Asianovela of the year would finally make its debut this September on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. “Hindi pwedeng hindi matuloy ang project dahil ang laki na ng nagastos ng station (laughs). We shot in Paris for a month and we’ve been taping constantly. It’s just that ang gaganda ng pinanggagalingan naming shows kaya due to public demand, naeextend ng naeextend yung mga yun at kaya din hindi kami makapasok,” he replied.

For the first time in his career, the country’s ultimate heartthrob would be portraying a very stern character on TV and it would be interesting to see how he would compare with his Korean counterpart, Park Shin Yang (Carlo). KC, on the other hand, would bring to life the Pinay version of Kim Jun-Eung’s role (Vivian) who has captured many a Filipino’s hearts with her bubbly personality back when Lovers In Paris was tagalized in 2005. “It’s hard, I’m so restrained. Hindi siya typical na drama, awayan, or iyakan. Ito talaga I’m coming from the original Koreanovela na very stiff at strict yung character ni Carlo. You’ll also see KC in a different light since konti pa lang naman ang nilalabasan niyang projects. Makikita mo talaga dito yung versatility niya. Mate-test din dito yung chemistry naming dalawa kung mayroon man. So we’re excited. We’re also keeping our fingers crossed na maging successful yung first show namin together.”

by Rachelle Siazon of www.abs-cbnglobal.com

MANILA, Philippines—“Papa Piolo Pascual has been a film star for something like a decade now, so it’s time to sum up his acting achievements to date. After his big bow in “Lagarista,” we can cite his performance in “Dekada 70” as one of his career’s high points.

Parenthetically, we should add that he’s also chalked up points as a proficient singer—but it’s his “Papa Piolo” kilig persona that currently best defines him in the public’s purview.

All this is fine and dandy, but it’s clear that, as one of local show biz’s most established young leading men, Piolo’s cumulative acting achievements have come up short of real significance.

Predictable

Why the relative lack of acting oomph and unction? Perhaps the fave young star has been too cool and predictable for his own good. Although he’s occasionally tried to be edgy, most of his big and small-screen portrayals have been less than surprising, and we get the nagging feeling that Piolo has frittered away too much time and opportunities.

To his credit, Piolo may have seen the handwriting on the wall, and has of late been trying to assert his creativity by making some daring career choices beyond his cool, iconic image.

Miscast

Most significantly, he’s turned producer of the indie movie “Manila,” playing the lead roles in its twin stories.

This is an unusually assertive move for the generally too-cool star, so we went out of our way to catch the film when it was screened as the opening feature of the 2009 Cinemalaya festival.

So how did Piolo do in his indie outing? In the movie’s first story, he played a drug addict, so he didn’t do much “acting,” since his character was zonked out most of the time. We noted, however, that he was miscast as an addict, since he was too mild, bland and put-together for the role.

Piolo’s real acting challenge in “Manila” came by way of its second story, inspired by Lino Brocka’s “Jaguar.” As the bodyguard, Piolo did better — but similarly fell short, because he was too cool and mild for his character.

Yes, the “jaguar” was a country bumpkin who minded his place and kept his emotions to himself, but as the story’s protagonist, he needed to describe an emotional arc that the actor failed to adequately plot and parse.

Unfortunate

All told, therefore, despite producer-star Piolo’s best efforts and intentions, his “Manila” outing turned out to be a relative dud. This is most unfortunate because, at this point in his career, Piolo needs a big acting success to affirm his talent and excitingly usher in the next decade of his stellar career.

To make up for lost time, the actor should continue with his indie involvement, but he should work with filmmakers who will work harder to yank him out of his comfort zone, which has become as stultifying as a box for him.

It could well be that Piolo’s signature coolness may turn out to be his most counterproductive traits at this crucial point in his career. So, he’s got to break loose from his fans’ expectations -and from himself.

By Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:09:00 08/11/2009

Lovers in Paris co-stars Piolo Pascual, Zanjoe Marudo and KC Concepcion have obviously hit it off as friends. Napag-alaman namin from a very reliable source na magkakasamang nag-celebrate ang tatlo with Vhong Navarro and another friend of theirs na si Gelo Serrano ng birthday ni Zanjoe nung madaling araw ng July 23 Zanjoe’s actual bithday sa 77 Bistro and Restaurant in Kamuning.

“Masaya ang atmosphere,” dagdag pa ng aming source. Sweet din daw sina KC at PJ nickname ni Piolo, at laging magkatabi. Nauna ring umalis sina KC at Piolo kina Zanjoe and company. Nakaparada outside the saidrestaurant ang separate cars nina KC at Piolo. Nang ipaalala ng aming source kay KC ang maroon Goyard bag na namataan ng writer na ito na dala niya during a meeting with ABS-CBN PR people in arestaurant near the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, KC revealed na gift pala from the owners of Bayo, the female apparel brand she’s endorsing ang nasabing pricely bag.

Hanggang sa nakaalis ang aming source at kasama nito, hindi nila namataan ang reported girlfriend ni Zanjoe na si Mariel Rodriguez.