“I simply can’t stand being idle,” remarked Piolo Pascual, the acclaimed actor who is currently promoting his latest big-screen venture, “Real Life Fiction.” This comes even as he is in the final stages of wrapping up his intense thriller-drama TV series, “Pamilya Sagrado.”

“It’s challenging for me to turn down the opportunities that present themselves,” Piolo admitted. “I had initially decided to step away from soap operas, but then Tito Deo Endrinal, the business unit head of Dreamscape Entertainment, introduced ‘Pamilya Sagrado’ to me. If I had rejected it, I would have lived with that regret forever.” Tragically, Endrinal passed away in February 2024, soon after greenlighting the series, which also stars Kyle Echarri and Grae Fernandez.

“I don’t want to let go of projects that show promise,” Piolo continued. “I’m a sucker for compelling narratives. For me, work is all about meticulous planning and scheduling. My films are released consecutively because I never stopped working, even during the pandemic lockdowns.”

Piolo has another film set for release before Christmas, titled “The Ride,” featuring Kyle Echarri once again. “We’re nearly finished with post-production. We aim to release it soon because Kyle is growing up so fast; we might not even recognize him in the film anymore. We’re negotiating with several streaming platforms. Our production company, Spring Films, is focusing on streaming for now because it’s a safer bet. With theatrical releases, you’re at the mercy of box office performance. Selling a film to a streaming service ensures you recoup your investment and can fund future projects.”

His latest film, “Real Life Stories,” began screening in SM cinemas on August 28. Written and directed by Paul Soriano and co-starring Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the movie explores the depths of an actor’s mind as he grapples with losing his sense of self after years in the spotlight.

Piolo portrays Paco, an actor with a storied career who decides to write, direct, and act in a film that brings him closer to his own downfall, revealing that his reality may be far from what he has become. Paula, played by Jasmine Curtis-Smith, is Paco’s muse both on and off-screen, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The film delves into the psyche and the extremes actors go to achieve brilliance, often at the cost of their sanity and relationships.

“We filmed this during the pandemic,” Piolo shared. “When Paul pitched it to me, we were all uncertain about the future of humanity. This uncertainty made it easier for me to connect with Paco’s character by observing Paul. I don’t want to reveal too much or suggest that Paul wrote this as a homage to his own experiences; only he can confirm that. But for me, it’s a reflection of one’s character and the issues they wish to confront head-on.”

Jasmine found Paula’s character easy to relate to. “She’s almost straightforward as an actress playing roles in Paco’s films, yet she has her own personal struggles. Her phone conversations leave you guessing who she’s talking to or texting. It provides glimpses into her life,” she explained.

“Paula is very open-minded about exploring the industry,” Jasmine continued. “She wants to be part of projects that aren’t just professional but also supportive of Paco. I understood her easily because I share that curiosity about trying new things and exploring different roles.”

“Working on ‘Real Life Fiction’ was a breeze,” Piolo noted. “We shot during lockdowns and converted an entire hotel into our set. We couldn’t leave, which allowed us to focus intensely on our characters. Despite being a small team, everyone was enthusiastic about working amid the pandemic.”

Jasmine echoed Piolo’s sentiments: “Filming was not difficult; adapting to our new normal was the challenge. Everything was shot indoors in a beautiful hotel setting. The hardest part is this press conference because we want to provide accurate answers.”

“Real Life Fiction” is produced by TEN17P, Viva Films, Spring Films, and distributed by Black Cap Pictures.