The country’s “Ultimate Heartthrob” Piolo Pascual is set to end 2026 with three major projects — a new album, a coffee table book and a gala concert — as the actor-singer looks back on nearly three decades in show business and celebrates life on his own terms.
The projects, announced during a media conference at Nobu Manila, include an album under Star Music, a self-published coffee table book titled “In Transit” and a self-titled gala concert scheduled for Nov. 24 at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila.
Pascual said the simultaneous projects were not necessarily planned as a single celebration but came together after years of work and a period when he was able to focus on other creative pursuits.
“I would say it’s all coincidence. I’ve just been busy with a lot of things. Last year, I did so many things but this year, I have not done any movie or TV show,” Pascual shared during a press conference.
The break allowed him to concentrate on music, live performances and other projects outside film and television.
The new album that was five years in the making will be produced by veteran music producer Jonathan Manalo. Pascual said the record draws from the kind of music he has performed throughout his career.
“For this album, the songs in the album are mostly pop songs, love songs. I want introduce to the young generation the kind of music I grew up listening to, singing, and performing,” he said.
Among the collaborations is Pascual’s first musical project with his son Iñigo, who wrote a song for him. The two will perform together at the gala concert, where they will also revisit songs they have performed together over the years.
“I’ve been asking him to compose a song. And finally, it came to be. The song that we’re doing together... is a medley we’ve sung together ever since we started performing. It’s a taste of the father-and-son tour that we always perform together. It’s very personal to us,” Pascual said.
The album will be released in physical CD format and on streaming platforms. Both the album and book are set for release on Nov. 24.
The book, “In Transit,” chronicles Pascual’s travels from 2019 to 2026, with photographs taken in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France and several cities and states in the United States. It is Pascual’s third coffee table book, following “Believing,” which he did with David Fabros, and “Revealed,” with Raymund Isaac.
“‘In Transit’ is a travel book because I’m constantly in transit, constantly in different places. And it’s just nice to capture these places as a certain period of your time,” he said.
The gala concert, meanwhile, will be directed by Johnny Manahan, popularly known as Mr. M, with Niño Salazar serving as musical director. Cornerstone Concerts will produce the event.
For Pascual, having Manahan at the helm is a natural choice because of their longstanding professional relationship.
“I grew up with Mr. M. He knows me as a person through and through. He’s my dad,” Pascual said.
Rather than a typical concert, the event will be a sit-down dinner where guests can dine while watching Pascual perform. The set list will trace different parts of his career, making the show both retrospective and personal.
“It’s a dinner concert gala for a cause,” he said.
The concert will benefit the Hebreo Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Pascual in 2008 to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.
He described the show as an intimate and nostalgic performance that would give audiences a glimpse into his 28 years in the entertainment industry.
Despite the timing of the projects, Pascual said he did not want the concert to be defined as a 50th birthday or anniversary show.
“I don’t want to say I’m doing this because I’m turning 50, but I wanted to celebrate life. I don’t want this to be an anniversary concert. I don’t want it to be a milestone concert. It’s just a way of giving back to the industry that embraced me since I started,” he said.
Beyond his current projects, Pascual also expressed interest in returning to the big screen with former screen partner Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. The two previously worked together in “Paano Kita Iibigin,” and Pascual said he remains open to doing another film with her.
“Until now, we have this fanbase... I’d like to do something with Reg,” he said.
He also revealed another long-term ambition which is producing a Filipino film that could find an audience beyond the country.
“I want to produce a Filipino film that we can champion to the global market. It’s always been my dream,” Pascual said.
“As long as I’m acting, as long as I have the means or the support of Filipino communities worldwide, I really want us to have a Filipino film that we can be proud of, one with global appeal. I want to be part of that,” he added.
For now, Pascual’s focus remains on the album, his book, and the gala concert — three projects that allow him to revisit his past while creating something new.
“I just want to celebrate life. I’m 50 but I don’t feel it. I’m just breezing through,” he said.