When Piolo Pascual was first approached to do The Ride, an action drama years in the making, he was faced with a question that would’ve made any father pause — should he cast his real-life son Iñigo Pascual as his onscreen child?
For the seasoned actor, the answer was clear — no. “Too close,” Piolo admitted when asked why not Iñigo. “When this was pitched to me by Cornerstone Entertainment, Kyle was already the first choice for the role. This project has been around for a long time. Kyle did a look test back then and he was perfect. At that time, Iñigo was still in the States because of the pandemic, and honestly, I didn’t want to do a father-and-son project that was too close to real life. I wanted something different.”
That “something different” came in the form of Kyle Echarri — a young actor and singer known for his maturity beyond his years and emotional range. Together, Piolo and Kyle form a gripping father-and-son duo in The Ride, a gritty and emotionally charged film directed by Thop Nazareno.
Described by Piolo as both “watchable and meaningful,” The Ride explores the consequences of choices, the weight of regrets, and the far-reaching effects of violence. “When you make a film, you want it to be watchable and entertaining, but also meaningful. Ano ba ang mensahe ng pelikula? I hope we were able to send the message across. This is important and timely, because the violence — this is really happening around the world,” he shared during the film’s special screening.
Beyond its intense action sequences, The Ride seeks to provoke introspection. “Tama ba ang mga choices na ginagawa mo bilang tao, bilang tatay, bilang anak? What are the circumstances you need to avoid? The decisions you need to make so your life turns out better?” Piolo asked. “Sana itong pelikula ay manalamin sa mga nangyayari sa paligid natin. To raise awareness that sometimes we make choices we regret, and sana pinili natin ang mas magandang route para maganda rin ang outcome.”
Transformation
Known for his polished image, Piolo stripped away his heartthrob vibe for the role. “Di ko maisip ang itsura ko dito in the beginning. Ang baho ko! Di ako naliligo, no makeup, ang dami kong buhok sa mukha,” he said with a laugh. “But that’s the fun part — you become unrecognizable, and you do whatever it takes so people can relate and understand the conflict.”
The transformation wasn’t just physical; it was emotional. While embodying one of his grittiest roles to date, Piolo also became a steady presence for his young co-star.
Guiding Kyle
Their connection, Piolo revealed, was established even before ABS-CBN cast Kyle as his son in Pamilya Sagrado. “He was just 18 when we started on this project. Of course, bata ‘yan, so you want to show him the ropes. This is a big thing for Kyle, and I just want him to know: basta gawin mo lang ng tama ang work mo at ‘wag papasok sa ulo mo, you will go places.”
Piolo said he doesn’t see himself as a mentor, but rather as someone who leads by example. Still, his protective instincts surfaced during one of the film’s most emotional scenes. “When we were shooting the final scene, it was just a day after his sister passed away. It was such a difficult time in his life. We had to guide and control his emotions. I made sure he felt loved and protected by the people around him.”
Kyle’s Quiet Strength
For Piolo, what stood out most about Kyle wasn’t just his talent, but his humility. “I really don’t expect much from whoever I work with. What’s good about him is his humility and willingness to learn. He listens, he’s raw, and he’s easy to work with. As long as he plays his cards right, he’ll go far.”
The dynamic between the two actors — one a seasoned veteran, the other a rising star — becomes the emotional backbone of The Ride. Their chemistry makes the story’s themes of redemption, loss, and fatherhood hit even harder.
New Chapter for Piolo
At this stage in his career, Piolo is embracing roles that challenge him. “I’m very fortunate that I can still diversify in terms of roles. Mas nakakapaglaro ka na — you’re not stuck in rom-coms. I’m happy that I get to choose projects that are different,” he said.
By choosing Kyle Echarri over Iñigo Pascual, Piolo made a creative decision rooted not in sentimentality but in storytelling — one that gave space for a younger actor to shine and for him to stretch his own boundaries.
With The Ride, produced by Spring Films, Cornerstone Studios, and MQuest Ventures, Piolo Pascual once again proves why he remains one of Philippine cinema’s most respected figures — and why Kyle Echarri is one of its most promising.
The Ride opens in cinemas nationwide on September 24.
