Why accepting ‘Fatherland’ role felt ‘weird’ for Iñigo Pascual

Pascual (right) with actors Jim Pebanco and Ara Davao (center)

“We have to give our mothers the last say,” said singer-actor Iñigo Pascual when Inquirer Entertainment asked what he thinks would be the best way to resolve disagreements among family members.

Iñigo is the son of actor Piolo Pascual. His mom, Donnabelle Lazaro, who is not from show biz, brought Iñigo to the United States to raise him there when she and Piolo became estranged.

“I always end up arguing with my mom. I guess it’s because we are really close and live in the same house. We know each other very well. When emotions are high, I would often detach myself from the situation. That’s what I often do to end quarrels.”

He continued: “We have to listen to our parents because they are more experienced in life compared to us. When my mom is annoyed with me, she doesn’t say it directly. She makes me feel it. It’s my dad who always gives me the silent treatment. That’s more difficult to handle because you are left guessing what you did wrong. When that happens, I make sure to reach out first.”

How to handle money was never an issue in Iñigo’s family, he said. “They have always helped me in that aspect, but they make sure that I handle my finances on my own. Early in my career, I practiced saving a portion of my earnings. How Papa taught me about handling finances was kind of unique; he would let me tag along with him at business meetings. I learn by observing him,” Iñigo said.

As for Iñigo’s mom, she raised him to become a conservative spender. “I’m not frivolous. I’m also not the type who shops often for things. When I started getting my own money as a teenager, I would always consult my mom before I bought a particular item I liked. To me, holding a big amount of money is kind of scary. Mommy taught me that it’s not everyday that I get to hold that much money, so I need to put some aside,” he said.

Acting piece

After the release of the American musical drama series “Monarch” in Hollywood where Iñigo is a cast member, the actor agreed to do a film here in Manila — Joel Lamangan’s “Fatherland.” Iñigo shared that his parents were the happiest when he said “yes” to the project. “I told Papa about it as soon as I learned of the offer. He and Direk Joel worked together in the film ‘Mila’ (2001), said Iñigo. “My mom is actually the one who keeps bugging me to accept work in the Philippines. She would say, ‘Let’s go home. Just find work there.’ She has always been supportive, though.”

Iñigo found it “weird” when he first learned of the offer to play lead in “Fatherland.” Last month, he spent a considerable amount of time in Manila to promote his latest song, “The Heartbreak Trilogy,” before flying back to the States.

“When I landed at the airport, I got a call from my handler to say that I had a movie offer,” he recalled. “She told me the story and it was weird because I didn’t really think much about it. I just said ‘yes.’ I usually take time before making a decision on something. It’s such a beautiful story. It’s not something that I typically do here. People are used to seeing me with a love-team partner. I see this project as an opportunity to show a different side of me.”

For Iñigo, this role is an acting piece. “I guess every artist dreams of the chance to be offered this kind of project, to be given the opportunity to showcase our craft as an actor. I actually feel nervous. I asked Papa what it’s like to work with Direk Joel, and he said Direk is an old-school director. ‘You have to be prepared mentally and emotionally. You have to be ready with your lines. You have to know what you’re doing as an actor.’”

Allen Dizon (left), who plays Pascual’s father in the film, poses with producers, staff and coactors — PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORNERSTONE ENTERTAINMENT

In “Fatherland,” Iñigo plays Alex, a young man who grew up in the States but wants to trace his roots in the Philippines. “On the surface, he is an ‘Amboy,’ but he has a lot of issues concerning his father whom he has never met. After the death of his mother, Alex develops a hunger for wanting to know everything about the other side of him—his father. That’s how the movie starts. That’s how he will discover that his dad lived so many lives,” Iñigo said.

“How do I take everything in? How do I react to stories about someone I didn’t actually get to have memories with? Direk Joel told me not to be afraid to ask him questions. I plan to do just that, even though the other actors I’ll be working with are saying he is quite scary. Shooting will start soon and I’ll be part of almost all the scenes.”

Shot in the scenic mountains and rice fields of Arayat, Pampanga, “Fatherland” is written by Roy Iglesias and is a coproduction of BenTria Productions and Heaven’s Best Entertainment. It also stars Allen Dizon, Jim Pebanco, Ara Davao, Max Eigenmann, Ara Mina, Angel Aquino, Mercedes Cabral and Cherry Pie Picache. INQ