Kapamilya actor Piolo Pascual had nothing but praise for his The Ride co-star and good friend Kyle Echarri as they worked together on the action film.
During the movie’s advanced screening, Piolo shared that he took it upon himself to guide Kyle in navigating the entertainment industry.
“Siyempre bata iyan so gagabayan mo iyan and you want to be able to show him the ropes of this business,” Piolo told the press.
Image Credit Cornerstone Studios YouTube
“Malaki yung responsibilidad para sa bata so ganyan ka para iguide siya, para iparamdam sa kaniya na basta gawin mo ng tama ang trabaho and huwag papasok sa ulo mo then you’ll go places,” he added.
The award-winning actor admitted he was impressed by Kyle’s dedication and eagerness to learn while filming.
“Ang maganda sa bata is yung willingness niya maging open sa learning. Siyempre sa edad niya lahat bago pa, bago ang role and bago ang kasama. Talagang nakikinig talaga siya at madaling matuto. Kita mo rin na napaka-raw niya at ayon yung maganda doon kapag ang kasama mo on the same page and you know the intention of what you're doing and you give it hundred percent,” Piolo expressed.
He also commended Kyle for remaining professional despite filming during a difficult time, the same year his younger sibling passed away.
“The reason why I have so much respect for the kid talaga,” Piolo said.
Image Credit kyleecharri IG
According to Piolo and Kyle, The Ride was shot before their Kapamilya series Pamilya Sagrado.
“This is actually before Pamilya Sagrado pa,” Piolo said. “Matagal na namin pinopost production ito. Nauna lang siya sa Pamilya Sagrado and then dumiretso na. 18 years old pa lang ata si Kyle noong nagsimula kami rito sa The Ride. So ganoon talaga closeness namin because of that,” Piolo said.
For him, guiding Kyle was never about mentorship but more about supporting the next generation of actors.
“I don't want to call it mentorship kasi at the end of the day I’m not selfish and I'm just doing my part as a team player and it’s not something I do consciously. You just wanna do the talk. Let’s just see it on how you do your stuff and how you embrace and be very passionate about it,” he stated.
Piolo also expressed confidence in Kyle and other rising stars, saying: “Kung ano man ang nakikita nila sana ituloy-tuloy lang nila ng maganda and learn from it,”
Piolo went on, “Baka malagpasan pa nila (ako). I know they can go places as long as they play their part well.”
In a previous interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Kyle expressed gratitude for Piolo’s support, especially during personal struggles.
“Nagpapasalamat lang talaga ako na, Piolo was there through the whole process, of course, he’s a brother of mine now, but he was really there for me when I came to what I was going through my personal life and throughout the whole process. To be able to differentiate what I am going through and not bringing it to set but also being able to use that for my character din as a drive,” Kyle said.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Here’s how 'The Ride' taught Kyle Echarri his purpose as an actor
He also reflected on how their bond evolved from The Ride to Pamilya Sagrado.
“Well, obviously, The Ride was shot a year or two before Pamilya Sagrado, and sobrang nagbago talaga ‘yung dynamics namin because we started to understand each other’s acting process. From The Ride, tinutulungan niya ako to Pamilya Sagrado na hindi kami magkausap bago dumating sa eksena kasi magkaaway ‘yung mga character namin ayaw namin magusap,” Kyle expressed.
“For the most part, talaga, I just was able to absorb and watch and learn through him, who’s been in this industry for a long time now. He has so many different tools that he was able to show me without having to teach me, and I’ll always be appreciative of that,” he added.
The Ride, directed by Thop Nazareno, is now showing exclusively at SM Cinemas nationwide.