The trainer and the trainee. Coach Rio dela Cruz and multi-talented artist Piolo Pascual are back together for the Timex Run 2012. (Photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

MANILA, Philippines — Despite maintaining a dignified radio silence about showbiz issues that are currently pursuing him, a relaxed Piolo Pascual showed up, fit and fab; lean and mean; and ready to take on the health-beat press at the media conference for the 2012 Timex Run. Piolo shares that he is looking forward to beating his best time of 47 minutes and 57 seconds, ranking 23rd overall at the 10k division of the first Timex race in 2009 -- a feat that surprised many, as he was a “newbie” at the time. Is there pressure to make better time? “Yes! In capital letters!” he jokes. But he is more confident now that he has received world-class training from his running partner, marathon organizer and fellow Timex brand ambassador Coach Rio dela Cruz. He actually grimaces when he sees the footage of his first race. “Look, mali pa yung pagtakbo ko!” he points out.  

He says that he has since been hooked on running. "It has become part of my lifestyle, a part of my daily schedule. After I work out at home, I run at UP." He adds, “If I don’t run, I feel sluggish, parang hindi kumpleto ang araw ko.”  Part of the attraction he says, is that running helps clear his head. “When I run, I pray a lot, I think a lot, it is my time away from everything.”

But on long distances, Piolo says that he really focuses on the task at hand – which can be quite a challenge for someone with his celebrity status. “One Sunday, I was going for 15k along Roxas, and a lady on her bike started following me. She asked to take a picture with me, and I obliged. But then she kept following me, and after some time, as I was huffing and puffing, she commented ‘bakit ang suplado mo?’ I wanted to tell her, ‘gusto mo ikaw ang tumakbo tapos ako yung sasakay ng bisikleta?’ I guess people will have to understand na pagod na rin ako! ” He was also the only one with bodyguards running alongside him in a recent Cam Sur Ironman race. “I was with luminaries such as Pia Cayetano, but I was the only one who had marshals with me, because in the provinces, it can’t really be helped that I will be pushed and pulled by people in the sidelines!” Coach Rio points out, though, that Piolo’s interest in the sport has helped spark the interest of the icon-adoring public, to the point that today there are running events being held left and right.

Aside from the upcoming Timex event, Piolo is looking forward to pounding the pavement on foreign lands. His first major event overseas is the prestigious Berlin Marathon in September. “I am starting with Berlin because the terrain is easier,” he explains, as Coach Rio illustrates a flat surface for the audience to visualize. Part of his running dream is to join a marathon with his son. “I liked to run even when I was a kid. And I see that my son is interested as well. We both hope to run a full marathon before he reaches 18.”

In the meantime, Piolo is focusing his energies on the Timex Run, to be held at the Bonifacio Global City on January 22. Other celebrities joining him include Jessy Mendiola, Joseph Marco, Victor Basa and the crazy Boys Night Out DJs Slick Rick and Sam YG.  The events are for five, 10 and 16 kilometers, with a starting time of 5:10 am for the longer 16k run. Registration deadline is on January 18, at Riovana Stores in Katipunan and Bonifacio Global City, the Timex outlet at Trinoma and at the Watch Republic shop in Robinsons Galleria. Online registration is available through www.runrio.com