Jayson Gainza, 46, says he has been smoke-free for 16 years—crediting Piolo Pascual.
The comedian also shared that Piolo inspired him to be more health-conscious.
The two worked together in the 2006 Kapamilya teleserye Sa Piling Mo, where Jayson recalled often smoking during breaks.
One day, the 49-year-old actor approached him.
“Minsan nga nasa taping kami, may isa akong kaha [ng sigarilyo] dinampot niya, tapos ginusot niya," Jayson recounted.
“Sabi ko, ‘Piolo, ang layo ng mabibilhan ng sigarilyo!’
“Sabi niya, ‘Itigil mo iyan, ikamamatay mo iyan.'
“Nakuwentuhan ko siya. Sabi niya, ‘Alam mo, Jayson, pag nag-30 ka na, talagang alagaan mo na ang sarili mo. Mag-exercise ka na kasi di ka na bata, at mabagal na ang metabolism mo. ‘Tapos baka magkasakit ka pa.’
“Yun, tumatak sa isip ko iyon. Kaya nung nag-30s ak,o mine-maintain ko na talaga, kumbaga inaalagaan ko talaga.
“Exercise hindi ko makakalimutan iyon, ‘tapos iwas sa mga pagkain like [soft drinks], sugar.
"Mga instant noodles, siguro nakakakain ako twice a year.
"Yung soft drink, siguro once a month, ganoon para iwas talaga.
Jayson then proudly said, “Hindi na ako nagyoyosi. 2010 ako nag-stop.”
Read: Piolo Pascual at 48: His secrets to looking ageless
JAYSON ON HEALTH, HAIR LOSS
Jayson was interviewed by members of the press during his contract signing with Owen Regenerative & Longevity Center.
He said the launch meant a lot to him and made him feel valued.
“Napakasarap sa pakiramdam. Alam niyo naman kasi antagal ko na rin sa industriya."
Jayson started as a housemate in the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother: Season 1 in 2005.
“Yung binigyan ka ng importansiya ng Owen, nakita niyo naman hotel, contract signing, puwede namang email na lang sa akin, pipirmahan ko na lang…”
At the same time, Jayson said the endorsement could not have come at a better time.
At this point, he explained that he needs treatments for his health and well-being.
“Kasi lagi akong DYI [do-it-yourself] sa bahay. For example, sa sarili ko, inom ng ganitong gamot para sa liver, inom ng ganitong gamot para sa hair.
“E, yun pala sabi ni Doc [John Paul Pareja, founder of Owen] kailangan alamin mo muna kung ano ang puwede sa katawan mo kasi iba-blood test muna, parang ganoon...”
He added that he was also inspired after seeing fellow endorsers Andrew Muhlach and John Vic De Guzman who are looking better these days.
“Nakita ko kasi si John Vic tapos si Andrew Muhlach… parang banat na banat yung mukha…"
The actors told him they were getting peptide treatments from Dr. Pareja's clinic.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks of vital skin proteins like collagen. They can help reduce wrinkles and make the skin firmer.
Read: Jayson Gainza uses humor to call out PHP17K electricity bill
The clinic also offers hair-growth treatments that may help the comedian address his thinning hair.
“Ito kailangan ko ito,” Jayson said about the hair-growing treaments.
“Si Kuya Bayani [Agbayani] dati, di ba, nagpa-hair transplant.
“Sabi ko, ‘Kuya, saan iyan?’" Bayani answered him, "‘Mahal ito, e, PHP250,000.’
“Sabi ko hindi ko naman kaya iyan. Kung ipapa-hair transplant, tuition na lang ng anak ko.”
Jayson said that hair loss has been a source of insecurity, especially since it runs in the family.
He even quipped that he is often being the butt of jokes of his fellow TiktokClock co-hosts Herlene Budol and Wacky Kiray because of his receding hair.
“Binibiro nila ako, ‘O, huwag kang yuyuko.’ Sabi ni Wacky sa akin, ‘O, papunta ka na rin sa akin,’” pertaining to Wacky’s bald head.
“Medyo masakit din yung biro nila… bumabaon, e,” Jayson said, half-serious, half-joking.
He said that he started taking oral medicine to address hair loss.
But he saw a glimmer of hope after talking to Dr. Pareja.
Jayson excitedly said that Owen and its sister clinic, The SB Clinic ,offer hair-growing treatments without the need to go under the needle.