In a world where people clamor for truth, Paolo Ballesteros is a tease.
Paolo Ballesteros
That’s because up to this very minute, the actor has neither denied nor confirmed rumors about his sexual preference. Well, sometimes, he posts photos that show his hand intertwined with another guy’s, both of them wearing identical rings. But, really, who’s to say what that means?
It’s also worth mentioning that he has done several gay roles in films so effectively and convincingly that those who have watched it find it hard to believe he is not one for real. On social media, Paolo continues to make a buzz over his makeup transformations of beauty queens and even Hollywood actresses.
While it remains a puzzle to everyone, Paolo is kalma lang.
“Eh ako naman -- basta kung ano man yang (sexual orientation) na yan -- ang mahalaga wala kang natatapakang ibang tao. Ang paniniwala ko naman kasi, kung saan ka masaya, go! ‘Yun na ‘yun!” he told Bulletin Entertainment.
Humming with a playfully retreat, the actor reiterated that the prerequisite for “coming out” is preparedness.
“Katulad nga ng lagi kong sinasabi, ikaw ang dapat magbukas ng sarili mong closet kumbaga personal choice yan eh (coming out),” he said. “Ang masasabi ko na lang siguro, ‘I’m not ready.”’
And there he goes again…
‘In time’
Here is a fact: Paolo has a nine-year-old daughter named Keira Claire.
The 35-year-old shared she’s probably aware of the talks about him. Thankfully, Paolo added, she is not asking about it just yet.
“Alam naman natin na very modern na ang mga bata ngayon kasi may social media na, aware naman siya sa mga bagay na ganyan (sexuality issues),” he explained.
“Wala pa naman siyang tinatanong about it. Pero I’m sure nakikita niya ‘yung mga makeup ko sa bahay kasi nakakalat lang ‘yung sa kwarto ko. Hindi ko tinatago lahat pati ‘yung mga gown ko, ‘yung wig, ‘yung mga high heels minsan pinaglalaruan pa niya. Alam ko na naiisip niya na, ‘Ang galing naman niya mag-makeup at bakit siya may mga heels,” he added, laughing.
If and when she asks, Paolo said he is more than ready to tell nothing but the truth.
“Well, wala naman ako magagawa, kumbaga ready or not, here I come!” he chirped.
The actor admitted being a father is quite a challenge. Keira is staying in Baguio with her mother, Paolo’s ex-girlfriend Katrina Nevada.
“’Yun ang mahirap na part sa akin ‘yun wala siya sa aking tabi. Pero siyempre hindi ko naman pinapabayaan ‘yung responsibilities ko bilang isang tatay,” he shared.
He describes himself as “striktang father.”
“Ang number one na bawal sa akin ay ‘Bawal hindi mag-aral ng mabuti.’ ‘Yun lang naman, mabait naman ‘yung anak ko at very masunurin,” he said.
Praises
Paolo is the lead star of Regal Film’s upcoming movie “My 2 Mommies,” alongside Solenn Heussaff.
In it, he is Manu, a discreet gay guy with a successful career but he is not out to his family. Needless to say, his same-sex relationship stays under radar. But his life takes a pivotal turn when Monique (Solenn), a woman from his past, shows up and admits to him they have a seven-year-old son.
The film is directed by Eric Quizon. It hits cinemas nationwide on May 9.
At the press conference, behind-the-scene videos were shown. One of it is an interview with the director telling that he sees his father, the late Dolphy in Paolo especially on how the latter throws his comedic lines.
Asked about his thoughts on the matter, Paolo demurred.
“Parang nakakatawa na hindi ko maintindihan… na I’m very honored. Kasi ‘di ba Dolphy ‘yun eh? Tapos sasabihin na parang nakikita sa akin si Dolphy at sa anak pa mismo niya nanggaling, mixed emotions ‘yung nararamdaman ko,” he said.
He returned the compliments to Eric saying, “very magaan ka-trabaho si direk at tsaka mabilis.”
Paolo finds his latest opus “very timely” because it tackles an issue that happens in real life. He believes motherhood is not bound by biological attachment, citing women who assumed “mother roles” to children even if they did not birthed them.
“Ang ipapakita namin dito sa film is ‘yung different kind of motherhood kasi tamang tama Mother’s Day special namin ito. Dito sa movie, sasabihin na hindi lang naman babae ang pwedeng maging nanay,” he said. “Basta alam mo kung paano mahalin ang isang bata, kung paano pahalagahan, ke lalake ka pa o bakla o babae, ang mahalaga nagagampanan mo ng maayos ang pagiging isang ina.”
Talking about his leading lady Solenn, Paolo finds her to be truly professional.
“Lagi siyang on time sa shooting. Actually matagal ko na siyang na-obserbahan kasi nu’ng mayroon siyang production sa ‘Eat Bulaga!’ ang aga aga niyang dumating, sabi ko nga, ‘Wooh, first time?’ Sa shooting, ganu’n siya kesehodang pagod siya pagdating niya, makeup agad, wala ng bandying-bandying pa,” he shared.
If there’s one thing he would like to “steal” from Solenn, what is it?
“’Yung asawa niya!” he said without battling an eyelash.