WATCH: Piolo Pascual spoofs his iconic movie scenes in BDO Remit’s TVCs
A different side of Papa P is seen in the newly launched TVCs of his bank of choice, BDO. The timeless Kapamilya heartthrob, Piolo Pascual, stars in light-hearted spoofs and puns of his hit romantic films that featured overseas Filipinos (OFs) as characters. The videos were based on the films “Milan,” where Piolo starred with Claudine Barretto and “Starting Over Again” that paired him with Toni Gonzaga.
Random note: Look, casting was amazing because the agency found Claudine Barretto and Toni Gonzaga lookalikes for the shoot!
For Piolo, the release of the videos under present circumstances takes on more meaning than just presenting BDO’s newest offering. “When we first worked on these videos, iniisip ko na it was a very light, witty way of looking at ourselves as an audience. Mahilig talaga tayo sa mga ma-drama na 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.
“Nag-isip ako, bakit nga ba mga overseas Filipinos ang mga karater sa mga films natin? Hindi ba dahil marami silang hinaharap na challenges? Itong storytelling, ‘yung pag-share natin ng mga kuwento ng buhay nila, parang tulay ‘yan eh, na nagko-connect sa atin.
“Ang nagiging resulta niyan, ‘yung mga nasa abroad, ‘yung mga mahal natin sa buhay na malalayo, they feel less lonely. Nagkakaroon tayo ng link sa kanila, through these movies. Mas ramdam natin na kahit magkalayo tayo, our stories connect us. Ramdam natin na nandito pa rin tayo para sa isa’t-isa,” he said.
According to Piolo, the videos’ call for “less drama” takes on more significance today. He said that all the “drama” we feel and go through — loneliness, isolation, anxiety, even fear — are valid responses to the pandemic.
WATCH TVC 1: Starting Over Today
“Ang kaibahan lang, when we go through ‘drama’ in the movies, nagiging emotional tayo; malungkot, nakakaiyak, pero nagkakaroon tayo ng release. May catharsis. Gumagaan ang pakiramdam. 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. Nakaka-miss na yung mga dati nating ginagawa,” he said.
Piolo thinks that the videos actually have an important, two-fold message for all of us today. “Una, yung ma-realize natin na puwede naman nating malampasan ‘yang drama. Pagdaraanan pero lilipas din. Life goes on. May mga seryoso tayong problema--but we can still look at the lighter side, we can still have a good laugh.
“Gusto ko rin sa mga videos ‘yung meron siyang call to action. May sense na kahit maraming problema, may magagawa pa rin tayo. Kahit mahirap ang mga pangyayari, there’s always a light to guide us. We can always find ways to overcome,” he said.
WATCH TVC 2: Mula Sa Abroad
Piolo said that he feels for the plight of overseas Filipinos today. 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.
“Sa Dubai, may mga Pinoy na ang suweldo, kinaltasan ng 30 percent. ‘Yung ibang overseas Filipinos nawalan ng trabaho. Ilang dekada na suportado tayo ng mga bilyun-bilyong remittances nila. Ngayon na sila naman ang nangangailangan, dapat lang na tayo naman ang tumulong sa kanila,” said Piolo.
WATCH TVC 3: Starting Over There
According to Piolo, his working relationship with BDO opens him up to possible ways to help. “Sa BDO, bukod sa BDO Kabayan Savings and remittance centers, may mga pa-seminar pa sila sa mga overseas Filipinos. Tinuturuan sila ng maayos na financial management. Kailangan talaga ‘yan ngayon para ma-maximize natin ang income natin habang nasa pandemic tayo.”
Piolo said 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.
BDO Remit – through BDO Kabayan Savings – its special savings & 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 pandemic.
Here are some snapshots and video snippets from the virtual presscon held last Friday, July 3:
View this post on Instagram
