Local Tinseltown’s A-1 leading man, Piolo Pascual, has always planned to do a project that would showcase some of his works on the big screen. This goal was realized when he collaborated with the country’s leading financial institution to produce three videos that spoof his hit romantic films that featured overseas Filipinos (OFs) as characters.
The videos, which can be viewed on BDO Unibank’s YouTube channel and on BDO Kabayan Facebook page, were based on the films Milan, where Piolo starred with Claudine Barretto, and Starting Over Again that paired him with Toni Gonzaga.
“I always wanted to do a parody of my own scenes. I wanted to reenact them in a funny way,” Piolo said in a virtual press conference for BDO’s Kabayan Remit campaign.
According to the 43-year-old actor, the release of the videos under present circumstances takes on a 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. I love drama films. Natuwa ako rito sa project kasi nabalikan namin yung mga classic, memorable lines galing sa films,” Piolo said, adding that he now appreciates the videos in a more meaningful light.
“The videos’ call for ‘less drama’ takes on more significance today. All the ‘drama’ we feel and go through—loneliness, isolation, anxiety, even fear—are valid responses to the pandemic. The only difference, when we go through ‘drama’ in the movies, we become emotional, sad, and we cry, pero nagkakaroon tayo ng release. We feel better, 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. It makes us miss the old normal,” he carried on.
For Piolo, the TVC aims to train the spotlight on OFs and the situation they are in at the moment. He heard about how many have been laid off, while others are forced to receive lower salaries so they can keep their jobs and wait until the economic downturn passes. He now hopes that the videos can help spark a conversation about the situation of OFs and encourage others to band together and help them.
“In Dubai, there are OFs who take pay cut, around 30-percent of their salary. Yung ibang overseas Filipinos nawalan ng trabaho. OFs have been supporting our economy through billions of remittance, Now, they are the ones who need our help,” Piolo pointed out.
The actor added that proper financial management is something we all need to do at this time — but it has a particular urgency for overseas Filipinos especially those who do not have job security. Apart from that, he also pointed out that many artists have been holding online fund-raising shows and other projects in order to help overseas Filipinos, whose jobs were affected by the pandemic.
“My working relationship with BDO opens up to possible ways to help,” he shared.
BDO Remit—through BDO Kabayan Savings—its special savings and remittance account for the overseas Filipino market—has become a lifeline for overseas Filipinos during the pandemic. BDO Remit has kept its services running to help Filipinos overseas and their families cope with the challenges of the ongoing crisis.
