Piolo Pascual dreams of Chris Martin collab, hopes to take PH films global

“I hope, you know, every one of these days I get to collaborate with the guy. Chris Martin,” Piolo said during a media conference for his upcoming projects at Nobu in City of Dreams.

The Coldplay frontman has long resonated with Piolo, who said he relates to the way Martin writes and performs, as well as how he interacts with people and approaches life.

“I feel like if I were a better singer or I had a bigger audience such as Chris Martin’s, he’s the one I see. If I’ve been given a chance to have an alter ego, that’s my alter ego,” he said.

“I feel like the way he writes his songs, the way he performs, the way he is around people and the way he thinks. I feel like he speaks my mind, he sings my songs. So, I really relate with him.”

Beyond music, Piolo dreams of “producing a Filipino film that we can traffic to the global market. It’s always been my dream,” he said. “It’s frustrating because we have the chance to come up with films that we can champion abroad. It’s just that we don’t have the right support from our own fellowmen,” he said.

Piolo pointed to the need for government support and incentives to give Filipino filmmakers more room to create ambitious projects.

“I believe in Filipino talent. It’s just a matter of time before we can finally break out,” he said. “That’s why I want to be part of that movement.”

The Hunks reunion?

Piolo is also open to revisiting one of his most nostalgic chapters: The Hunks.

The former boy group, which included Piolo, Jericho Rosales, Bernard Palanca, Diether Ocampo, and Carlos Agassi, could reunite if the opportunity presents itself.

“I would never close the doors to that,” Piolo told reporters. “Given the chance, why not? It depends kung mabubuo ang group.”

Piolo also revealed that Charo Santos-Concio (former ABS-CBN president and CEO) has spoken to him about the possibility of a reunion. With the SexBomb Girls and Viva Hot Babes also reuniting, a Hunks comeback would tap into the current nostalgia for some of the biggest entertainment acts of the 2000s.

New album, book, concert

Meanwhile, Piolo is preparing a new album, a coffee table book, and an intimate gala concert on Nov. 24 at City of Dreams Manila.

He said the concert, proceeds of which will go to his Hebreo Foundation, is not meant to mark an anniversary or milestone, but to give back to the industry that embraced him.

“It can be a walk down memory lane, but at the same time, it’s a tribute also to the people that helped me to get to where I am right now,” he said.

The coffee table book, five years in the making, will feature places he has visited, clothes, landmarks, and his thoughts about his experiences.

Piolo is also considering releasing his first album on vinyl, particularly with the renewed interest in turntables and physical music.

“If there’s a budget, I might go vinyl. But I’d like this for the first album, para something more classic,” he said. His new album, however, will be released on streaming platforms, while the vinyl remains a possibility. “With vinyl, it’s timeless,” Piolo said.

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