Piolo abstaining from food, water and sex—and here’s why

Piolo Pascual

No food and water. No sex, too.

Actor Piolo Pascual admitted to have been abstaining from these things since Ramadan, the Islamic tradition that began this year on May 15.

As for sexual abstinence, however, “this has been going on for years now,” the actor told reporters during the recent media gathering for My Daily Collagen, a food supplement that Piolo endorses.

“It’s not surprising because I have no love life,” explained the actor, who used to date actress Shaina Magdayao. “I stay away from temptations by surrounding myself with productive people. To keep a clean conscience and not think of impure thoughts, I simply focus on work.”

But, how does he react whenever he meets someone he finds physically attractive? “I don’t party anymore. I don’t go out of the house much. At 41, I still live with my mom,” he pointed out. “I really don’t have time for dating right now.”

Piolo decided to abstain from food and liquids “in order to pay respects” to the Muslims he is working with on a movie he’s cowriting with filmmaker Joyce Bernal. Fasting officially ends during Eid al-Fitr (on June 15).

“Joyce and I are doing this to understand how they feel while we’re writing the script,” Piolo explained. “It’s a struggle not to drink water, especially while I’m taping for my TV series. I can’t rehydrate. I can’t spit or swallow. This is why I don’t exercise during the day—I do it at night.”

The actor, however, felt he didn’t need to consult his doctor or dietician “because I’m used to fasting, anyway.” He said he once tried the 21-day Daniel Fast and the 40-day fast, which are traditionally done by Catholics during Lent.

A Born Again Christian, Piolo clarified that fasting has nothing to do with religion this time. “It’s all about understanding the human spirit. While it’s important that we know our faith, we should also recognize other people’s beliefs and practices,” he noted.

Aside from the primetime series “Since I Found You,” Piolo is a regular of the Sunday variety show “ASAP” and the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home.” His film, “Ang Panahon ng Halimaw” by Lav Diaz, is currently being shown in local cinemas. Three movies, which he is cofinancing via Spring Films, are currently in production.

The movie on Muslims and the Marawi siege will be Spring Films’ first export. “We want it to be appreciated not only by local moviegoers, but also by foreign audiences. It’s budget is relatively higher than our other films because we plan to cater to a bigger market.”