Piolo Pascual isn’t just a celebrated actor; he’s also a passionate philanthropist. As the new Care Ambassador for Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP), his recent focus is tackling hunger and malnutrition by providing rice-soy meals to Ifugao children.

In Ifugao’s remote communities, many students walk over an hour to school, often on an empty stomach. Lauris Anudon, project manager of RAHP’s agricultural recovery project in Nueva Vizcaya, shared this reality.

But there is hope in the form of a simple fortified meal: rice-soy.

When combined, rice and soy create a nutrient-rich meal that supports both physical health and brain development. Through RAHP’s “Pabaon Para sa Kinabukasan” campaign, Piolo highlights how just P155 can provide a packet of rice-soy blend, feeding 10 to 12 children a nourishing meal — that also boosts their school performance.

After leading a feeding program for special needs students at Pasig Elementary School on 2 April and officially becoming RAHP’s Care Ambassador, Piolo sat down for an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE. He shares why this cause is personal to him and how even small contributions can make a big difference in the fight against hunger.

DAILY TRIBUNE (DT): Before anything else, what’s your goal for this campaign?

PIOLO PASCUAL (PP): Before anything else, we hope to raise awareness for the advocacy behind this project. Hopefully, we can invite people to spread love, to donate, and to expand our reach to different communities, using my voice, my face to raise awareness and encourage people to help in any way they can. It’s not too much to ask for.

I personally need causes like this. You want to give, but you want to make sure your giving goes to the right programs. What Rise Against Hunger stands for — and it’s been around for 10 years now — is something I really appreciate. It’s not about self-benefit; it’s about helping communities, especially those in far-flung areas. That’s the kind of advocacy I want to be part of. If I can use my voice to help the campaign reach its fullest potential, then I’m all in.

DT: What’s the most inspiring story you’ve come across in your work with RAHP?

PP: For me, it’s always the stories of the underprivileged — especially those with special needs who don’t have the means. You can give them nutrition, but they also need mental health support, and that’s something we often overlook.

We lack communities or groups that truly go beyond basic needs. Rise Against Hunger is different — it’s not for show, it’s for real help. Hopefully we’ll have more organizations like them, and more people who will share what they have.

My foundation focuses on education, so hearing stories of how support has changed lives keeps me going. That’s my motivation — to keep sharing what I can.

DT: How do you make sure this doesn’t become just a one-time project?

PP: Rise Against Hunger has been helping for a decade, reaching different communities, especially through partnerships with LGUs. But we want to go further. We hope to work with more organizations — sponsors, donors — so we can start something bigger and longer-lasting. Not just in certain areas, but nationwide, with the help of more groups.

DT: What role should businesses, government, and Filipinos play in sustaining this?

PP: Every group should have a CSR — Corporate Social Responsibility. I work with brands that do this well. It’s not just good for business, it’s a way of giving back. It’s paying it forward. Helping the community means helping education and nutrition thrive. If every business and citizen took part, we could do so much more.

DT: How do you decide which causes to support?

PP: I’m Filipino. I care about our people. When I see areas without electricity, without transport, without medicine or proper food, it breaks my heart. I want to help. Not just as a philanthropist, but as a human being.

DT: What’s next for you, in terms of advocacy?

PP: Education remains my priority. But what Rise Against Hunger is doing — providing meals to those in need — goes hand in hand with that. Nutrition helps kids do better in school. So whatever way I can help, I will. This campaign doesn’t require money. Just your presence, your attention. And that alone means so much.

DT: What lessons has RAHP taught you about tackling nutrition at the grassroots level?

PP: Compassion. That’s the heart of it. If you don’t have compassion, you won’t think creatively about how to help. The donations they ask for — they’re not even that big — but they go a long way. I hope more people will be aware of what we stand for and join us. We want these children to thrive, to think better, to do better in school — and it all starts with food.

DT: How has philanthropy changed you personally?

PP: It’s humbling. You realize it’s not about you. You’re just a channel of God’s blessings. You need to be humble enough to accept that and to give — not because someone told you to, but because your heart is full. I’m just grateful to be part of something this meaningful, something that gives back to the same community that raised me.