For Amelia Pascual, mother of awarded actor Piolo Pascual, she has had a share of both worlds. Her son’s success as an actor and singer has always been a joy for her to cherish. Yet when gender issues about his son pop up in tabloids and even discussed on showbiz talk shows, it devastates her. This is one aspect of her son’s showbiz life that makes her want her son to go back to the States with her.

But then, she is also very confident on how she has raised her children and so she always trusts them to be able to cope when they face trials and obstacles in life.

If there’s one thing she is proud of, it’s the strong family values she has instilled in her children - an arsenal for them not to go wrong in life!

Such also is the reason why she and her son were chosen to be the celebrity endorsers of Selecta 3-in-1 ice cream. Jamie Garaci of Selecta Ice Cream pointed out to Piolo Pascual’s family values and strong family bond as the criteria that they met to be chosen for the job. Piolo’s closeness to her mom which is a public knowledge, also was a great consideration why the actor was chosen by Selecta bigwigs to endorse their product.

"A strong family value is what Selecta stands for. Ice cream is all about bonding and sharing with your family and loved ones," Jamie explained.

One of the more admirable bonding moments between Piolo and her mom is their birthday celebrations. His Mom, since his father died, would always celebrate her birthday in an orphanage, bringing food and loot bags for the children. And even when she already is back in the States, Piolo would continue the tradition by also celebrating his birthday in an orphanage.

Their simple rationale is that birthdays are about sharing one’s blessings. In line with this thought, Selecta 3-in-1 ice cream was developed as an affordable way to celebrate birthdays — low priced ice cream and in three flavors.

Below are snippets of a casual conversation with Amelia Pascual about Piolo and why the saying mother knows best is always true.

WS: What type of woman would you like for your son?

AP: Sabi ko nga sa kanya basta mahal niya go. I don’t have any criteria or whatever. Basta ang gusto ko lang mamahalin siya kasi napakabait na anak ni Piolo. Alam mo masakit lalo na kung halimbawa may mangyayari hindi natin masasabi. Pero una akong masasaktan. He is too good to be hurt. He also told me that if he has a girlfriend it will be for keeps hindi na puwedng laro laro. Ang gusto ko kapag magkakarelasyon siya yung totoo na. Actually sinasabi din niya na daladala ko na raw yung biodata niya na kahit sinong babae, basta may itsura lang.

WS: Who among those linked to Piolo did you hope to be for keeps?

AP: That would be Juday kasi at least kilala rin ng pamilya. Yung mother ni Juday was my classmate before in Araullo High School, first and second year. And up to now when we have reunions, we always call each other and minsan sabay pa kaming pupunta. Si Juday, tahimik, madasalin which is maganda sana kung silang dalawa ang nagkatuluyan.

WS: Among the many intrigues that hit Piolo, what issue about him hurt you the most?

AP: Yung gender issue. Kasi talagang down na down siya. Bakit ang tao ikinakabit kung ano-ano. Sabi ko anak just let them talk. Kung hindi ka naman nasa limelight and hindi ka naman sikat, hindi ka naman babatuhin. Sabi ko nga against na against ako sa pagiging artista niya. I never really wanted him to enter this world. Sabi ko sa kanya kasama yung sakit. Sabi ko nga if you think hindi mo kaya, uwi ka rito because our family always supports each other.

WS: Did it ever reach a point that you wanted to fetch Piolo and bring him home?

AP: Never. I always give them the freedom to decide for themselves. I never pre-emp their decision making. Kasi malalaki na sila and napalaki ko naman ng tama. They never gave me any problems. I stayed in the States for five years before ko sila nakuha, intact silang iniwan ko and intact ko silang balikan.

WS: What’s one principle in life that you’ve always told Piolo and your other children about?

AP: It’s loving your family because no one would love you but yourself and your family. Ayaw kong sa magkakapatid may uunlad may maiiwan. Kapag may umunlad, kailangang dalhin mo lahat. Ayaw kong may masasaktan sa kanila, kung may mangyayari babalikan ko sila.

WS: So why did you accept this commercial project?

AP: Actually I didn’t want to do it. But when I learned it was Selecta, sabi ko anak gusto ko yan. Tapos I told him how Selecta started like its kiosk in Ermita and I was just in my early 20’s that time...since yun ang nakilala mo ever since dun na kami. Yun na lagi binibili ko. Alam mo naman tayong mga Filipinos kung ano ang kilala mo dun ka.

WS: What are the endearing qualities you like about Piolo?

AP: Yung pagiging grounded niya. That’s why when she gets a girlfriend, I want her to also be grounded and malapit sa Diyos. Niloloko ko nga siya that I’ll put up an ad that says ‘wanted manugang.’

WS: What’s your favorite Piolo Pascual movie?

AP: "Don’t Give up On Us."