Showbiz 101

Source: Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnnews.com
It’s confirmed. Piolo Pascual is portraying slain former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., but not in a film.

ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)” is set to feature Ninoy’s life story and it tapped Pascual to play the coveted role. Pascual made this confirmation during the launching of his 6th album called "Decades."

The actor disclosed that the taping will start next week. And as part of his preparation, the "Lovers in Paris" star shared that he is now doing his own research about the man whose death triggered the 1986 bloodless revolution in EDSA.

He also disclosed that he will sit down with television host-actress Kris Aquino, Ninoy’s youngest daughter, for some advice.

"Nakaka-pressure din. Ang laki ng expectations. 'Yong mga tao, hindi pa lumalabas, may judgment na hindi mo kamukha [or] you are not eloquent as he was. And then sasabihin sa’yo na wala kang karapatan. Ako, I'll just come up with something na version ko," he said.

Aside from accepting the MMK episode, Pascual is also willing to portray Ninoy in the big screen. The actor was quick to clarify, however, that no offers have been made so far.

Pascual is the personal choice of Aquino’s daughters - Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris - to play the role of their dad in the upcoming film about the life of the late senator’s wife, former president Corazon Aquino.

When asked about his other co-stars, meanwhile, Pascual declined to divulge any detail. "Hindi ko pa pwedeng sabihin. Ako pa lang ang confirmed."