Kapuso turned Kapamilya hunk actor Paulo Avelino (real name: Michael Paulo Lingbanan Avelino; born on May 13, 1988) began acting career through the reality talent show “StarStruck.” He now celebrates his first year as a Kapamilya and is thankful for all the blessings he has been receiving since he made the ‘big switch’ to ABS-CBN.
From being named as one of the ‘100 Sexiest Men in the Philippines’ by a popular magazine last year, Paulo is now recognized as a full-fledged actor not only because of his phenomenal role as Nathan in the no.1 TV program in the Philippines, “Walang Hanggan,” but also after being recognized as the best supporting actor—his first acting award–in the recent 2012 Pasado Awards for the indie film “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.” He also received the best actor award last Gawad Urian 2012 of the same film.
When asked how does it feels that he’s now celebrating his first year as a Kapamilya, he said, “Masaya ako dahil sa bilis ng panahon at hindi ko ineexpect na maraming tatanggap sa akin na mga kapamilya nating manonood. Masayang-masaya ako ngayon sa takbo ng aking career dito sa ABS-CBN.”
After “Walang Hanggan,” according to Paulo, there are no TV projects yet offered to him but he’ll surely be busy in doing films. “Wala pa sa TV pero may ginagawa akong dalawang pelikula ngayon. ‘Yung isa ay “The Bride and the Lover” with Jennylyn Mercado and Lovi Poe, to be directed by Joel Lamangan and the other one is “Shake Rattle and Roll” for this year’s MMFF sa episode na ‘Lost Command.'”
I can still remember when I interviewed you last year for the promotions of your movie “Aswang,” you told me that your dream character role is a psycho-killer. How does it feels that you’re actually now portraying your dream role?
“Medyo tame pa rin naman ang character pero masaya ako dahil nabigyan ako ng ‘di pangkaraniwang role sa isang teleserye na ‘di rin pangkaraniwanang nangyayari. I’m very happy na okey naman ‘yung pagtanggap rin ng mga tao sa pag-arte ko, sa lahat ng ito.”
Paulo also added ‘singer’ to his resume as he released his self-titled debut album under Universal Records. He said that the CD is his offering to his fans who have been very supportive of his projects. Included in his six-track CD are covers of OPM hits like “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan,” “Your Love,” “Yakap sa Dilim,” “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal.”
Why did you try singing? Any difference?
“Actually parang wala e. Parehas lang kasi para sa akin since hindi naman talaga nagkakalayo ang singing at acting dahil pareho silang nagsasabi ng story, parehong may emosyon na kailangan.”
What can you say about your debut album?
Feeling ko okey naman dahil para sa akin naman, nakakagulat para sa iba pero siguro kailangan nilang bigyan ng chance na mapakinggan ang album ko. ‘Di naman siguro nakakahiyang masyado.”
Paulo is living far from his family which is in Baguio.
“When I have vacant time, I make sure na umuuwi ako to see my family (in Baguio) and get to bond with them.”
How often do you see them?
“Depende kasi. Like ngayon, ‘Walang Hanggan’ has been going quite some time and wala talagang chance so kapag nabakante ako after this, sure namang uuwi ako.”
How’s Paulo at home?
“Wala, parehas lang (he laughs). Ganito, mas tahimik lang. Mas normal.”
Would you consider yourself successful?
“Ang ine-aim ko lagi ‘yung lampas sa akin at lampas sa tingin kong kaya kong abutin at ng normal na tao para kung ‘di ko man maabot ‘yun, nananatili pa rin ako sa taas.”
How do you want to be remembered in this industry?
I’d like to be remembered as a great actor. I want to contribute also few things to our industry. I want to help the kids and also if given a chance kung pasado naman akong magturo in the future. I want to make films, even as not as high as the director, kahit cinematographer or scriptwriter pa ‘yan.”
You bagged the Best Actor award this year for the Gawad Urian, what award-giving bodies do you want to recieve such honors?
“Aside sa Oscars, (he laughs) syempre marami pa tayong mga local awards na gusto ko ring makamit. Pero sa ngayon, I just want to concentrate in improving more of myself, my craft. At saka darating naman ‘yung mga awards na ‘yun kung nakikita ka naman nilang deserving para dun.”
As an artist, what do you think is your contribution to our country?
“Siguro ang masasabi ko lang, ang nacocontribute ko so far, I am trying to go a notch higher – trying to bring acting to a different level – something different and unusual from those nakasanayan na.”
