Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈpaskwɐl], born January 12, 1977)^[1][2] is a Filipino film and television actor, recording artist, host, commercial model, and film producer. He is a recipient of various accolades, including six FAMAS Awards, nine PMPC Star Awards for Movies and a Gawad Urian Award.

Pascual began a career in 1993 after landing a bit role in the film The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help Us!) and made his first television appearance in youth-oriented talent and variety show, That's Entertainment.^[3] He rose to fame after he was chosen as the leading man of Judy Ann Santos in the 1997 classic soap opera, Esperanza.^[4] They went on to star in several other television series and films including Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka (2001-2003), Sa Piling Mo (2006), Bakit 'Di Totoohanin (2001), Till There Was You (2003) and Don't Give Up on Us (2006).^[5] In 2002, Pascual starred in period film Dekada '70 alongside Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor wins at the 2003 PMPC Star Awards for Movies, FAMAS Awards, and Gawad Urian Awards.^[6]

In 2008, Pascual top billed the acclaimed supernatural drama series, Lobo, co-starring Angel Locsin. In 2013, he starred in the neo-noir crime thriller film, On the Job, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival^[7] and was also screened at the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in Bucheon, South Korea.^[8] Pascual executive produced films such as Kimmy Dora film series (2009-2013) and Kita Kita (2017). In 2018, he returned to television in the drama series Since I Found You.^[9] Pascual and Lovi Poe starred in the 2022 series remake Flower of Evil.

With a career spanning for more than three decades while being critically-acclaimed both locally and internationally, he cemented his status as the "Asia's Drama Superstar."

Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual was born on January 12, 1977, in Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center located in Malate, Manila. He is the youngest son of Amelia "Amy" Nonato Pascual and Philip Victoriano Pascual. His father was a casting director for international films that are shot in the Philippines. Piolo attended elementary and high school at St. Francis School in Santa Ana, Manila. When he was in 5th Grade, Piolo joined the school theater group, Teatro Ni Kiko, where he was introduced to the world of theater and acting.

While he was in third year high school, Piolo started appearing in That's Entertainment, a popular teen variety show that aired in the 1990s. He eventually left That's Entertainment, however, to get into college full-time, studying at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where he studied AB General Education. He later shifted to Physical Therapy in preparation for his immigration to the U.S. Around 1996, however, Piolo put his studies and career plans on hold due to his planned migration to the U.S.^{[citation needed]}

They lived in Los Angeles, where he worked as an ER representative in the hospital where his mother worked. When Pascual turned 21, he decided to return to Manila in order to pursue his acting career again.^{[citation needed]}

In 1994, Pascual started his career in That's Entertainment. Then he appeared in some TV shows including Mara Clara and Gimik. His loveteam with Judy Ann Santos became phenomenal in early 2000s.^{[citation needed]} Their four movies, Kahit Isang Saglit, Bakit 'Di Totohanin, Till There Was You, and Don't Give Up on Us, earned more than P100 million in the box office. His movie with Claudine Barretto, Milan, became his top-grossing film up to date.^[10]

In his early singing career, he joined Diether Ocampo, Bernard Palanca, Jericho Rosales and Carlos Agassi to form The Hunks, an all-male group.

In 2002, Pascual played the role of Jules in the award-winning film, Dekada '70. He received eight awards in the Best Supporting Actor category and was given special recognition as a Best Supporting Actor for the same role by the GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards.^[11]

In 2003, Pascual's debut album Piolo, went platinum.^{[citation needed]} His second album My Gift hit Platinum status as well. His 5th solo album Timeless hit Triple Platinum status.

In 2007, he paired to Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez in Paano Kita Iibigin, he played the role of Lance.

In 2008, he starred in a fantasy TV series Lobo together with Angel Locsin. The show gained accolades from Banff World Media Festival and International Emmy Awards.

In 2009, Pascual became a producer for Manila, an independent twinbill film under Bicycle Pictures. After its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2009,^[12] Manila had its official Philippine premiere in cinemas in July 2009 as the opening film of the 5th Cinemalaya Film Festival.^[13][14] He starred in the Philippine version of Lovers in Paris together with KC Concepcion the same year. Together with some directors and writers, Pascual created his film studio, Spring Films, which is known for its popular Kimmy Dora movie series.^[15]

In 2013, Pascual went to Cannes again with the movie On the Job.^[16]

Pascual has a son, Iñigo Dominic Lázaro Pascual, born in 1997. Pascual is also the uncle of Filipino actor Benjamin Alves.

In 2013, Pascual joined the PETA campaign, Free Mali, whose aim is to move Mali, the lone elephant in the Manila Zoo, to a larger area.^[17]

As of 2024, Pascual has been romantically involved with Shaina Magdayao.^[18]