PIOLO’S NEW GIG
YET HE’S NOT REPLACING JOHN LLOYD IN SITCOM
Piolo Pascual is now a regular star of “Home Sweetie Home” but he explained that he is not a replacement for John Lloyd Cruz, who is taking a break from showbiz.
I’m not replacing to say the least,” the 41-year-old actor told ABS-CBN News. “I’m just an addition to the cast. We change... not the format, but we have some additional cast members.” Pascual mentioned Ogie Alcasid as among the additional stars of the show, which has Toni Gonzaga as lead star. Gonzaga was originally paired with Cruz, who was her husband in the show. But since Cruz’s coupling with Cebuana actress Ellen Adarna, the 34-year-old actor took a break from showbiz. Adarna also costarred in “Home Sweetie Home.”
As a result, the show has taken in Pascual as a guest star. Recently, it became a permanent stint.
“May OBB (opening break bumper) na eh. May credits na,
nandun na ako (I’m already in the credits). Hindi na guest, regular
na ako (I’m no longer a guest. I’m a regular). Thankful ako because I’ve always wanted to do something like this, once a week, just a breather. I’m able to do something na I enjoy doing,” said Pascual. Pascual currently doesn’t have a break.
He stars in “Since I Found You,” a romantic-dramedy that airs every night. Then he shows off his comedic side every Saturday on “Home Sweetie Home.” Then on Sunday, he polishes his hosting skills as one of the cohosts of “ASAP.”
Pascual said he prefers doing the sitcom rather than the soap opera.
“Doing soap is really difficult. I said, ‘This is the last, I’m going to tap out,’” Pascual said of “Since I Found You.”
“I poured all my energy in this soap so I can focus on other things. (I told myself that) after this, maybe I’ll just do a once-a-week series. Incidentally, I was given this sitcom. I didn’t ask for this,” said Pascual.
He admitted that he has not talked with Cruz, his former “ASAP” co-host. But he did message Cruz when he stepped in as Gonzaga’s possible love interest.
When asked where Cruz is now, the actor said: “I have no idea. I don’t have any news about him personally. We don’t stay in touch anymore. I wish, I hope we get to talk soon. Lloydie will always be a friend. He’s a brother. We started at the same time in this business. He will always be family.”