Paolo Contis

It is a great time for Paolo Contis in terms of his career in show business.

During an interview at Cornerstone Studio in Quezon City, Paolo said that it has been a wonderful journey for him, and he feels blessed and grateful for everything he has experienced along the way.

"I'm just very thankful with MavX Productions. Si Lucky (Blanco) yung nagsugal sa 'Through Night and Day' at saka yung 'Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap' at ako yung kinuha niya. Nagtuloy tuloy na. I'm so thankful na ako ang kinuha nila regardless of the issues that I go through. Masarap isipin na isa sila sa mga taong hindi nag-judge at tinitignan yung personal na buhay but more on the professional side," the actor said.

(Lucky Blanco gambled on 'Through Night and Day' and then 'Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap' and he took me. It has continued. I'm so thankful that they hired me, regardless of the issues that I go through. It's nice to think that they are one of those people who don't judge and look at my personal life but more on the professional side.)

There's always something interesting going on with Paolo. Sometimes he can be funny, but he is also serious when the situation demands it. He is devilishly handsome, whose features landed him an intriguing role.

"Bagay sa akin 'yung role di ba?" (The role suits me, doesn't it?) said Paolo, in reference to his role as Satan. "It's a concept na binato ko sa kanila at pinalaki na namin. It's something new. Sabi nila na demonize-raw ako. So sakto naman ang project na ito about Satan."

Paolo, 39, is not ready to reveal details about the project in which he will play Satan. But he is especially looking forward to his reunion with Kaye Abad and Patrick Garcia, who were his co-stars in "Tabing Ilog" on ABS-CBN from 1999 to 2003.

"Best friends kami nila Kaye and Patrick. Asawa ko si Kaye and sabay sabay kaming lumaking tatlo rito. Kaye is sick and we're enjoying the last few weeks of her life. It's a happy film pero may pain. We make it a point na masaya yung huling araw ng buhay niya at doon papasok yung drama," the actor said.

(We're best friends here. Kaye is my wife and the three of us grew up here together. Kaye is sick and we're enjoying the last few weeks of her life. It's a happy film but there is pain. We make it a point that the last day of her life is happy and that's where the drama comes in.)

He added: "Ang sarap ng role namin kasi may pinagsamahan kaming tatlo. Wala kaming iimbentuhin na character dito. Palagay ko yung mga nanuod nuon ng 'Tabing Ilog' magugustuhan nila ito."

(We love our roles here. We don't have to invent characters here. I think those who watched 'Tabing Ilog' before will like this movie.)

A few days from now, the whole team is set to fly abroad to shoot its still untitled flick. In Paolo's opinion, shooting a movie overseas was both challenging and fun.

"Para sa akin libre siyang bakasyon eh. It's one thing na tatak 'yan ng Mavx. Nadadala nila tayo sa iba't ibang bansa. I'm lucky to be part of it. Masaya na mahirap magshoot abroad but I'm a game player," he said.

(For me, it's a free vacation. It's one thing that Mavx Production is known for. They take us to different countries. I'm lucky to be part of it. It's fun and hard to shoot abroad but I'm a game player.)

Patrick Garcia, Kaye Abad and Paolo Contis (Sparkle GMA Artist Center)

Another film with Yen Santos

When the right offer comes along, Paolo would love to do another movie with Yen Santos.

"If there's a project, why not? Work is work. If there's a project that we want to do, why not?" he said.

In 2021, Paolo and Yen starred in the movie entitled "A Faraway Land" which was shot in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The film was meant for cinemas. But due to COVID-19, it was shown on Netflix.

Their tandem in the project clicked and critics raved about them. At the 45th Gawad Urian, Yen was named best actress while Paolo received a nomination for best actor.

On his Urian nomination, Paolo said: "Masaya talaga lalo sa mga tao na tinitignan nila ay yung talento mo. Sa digital world, kasama na talaga yung personal na buhay mo bilang artista. Wala na tayong magagawa roon, Yun na ang hulma ng industriya. Pinagdaanan ko yan noon na wala naman. Noong 'Tabing Ilog' days walang social media. Ang layo noong artista ako noon na wala pang social media at ngayon."

(I'm really happy for people who recognize your talent. In the digital world, your personal life as an artist is included. There's nothing we can do there, that's the mold of the industry. During the 'Tabing Ilog' days there were no social media. It's a long way when there was no social media and now."

"Just to be nominated in Urian brings back the good old days na you're being judged for your talent and not your mistakes in life. It brings me joy na napapansin ang acting ko. But I don't need to win. Hindi ko sya kailangan sa tutoo lang and I lost to John Arcilla. Hands-down naman ako kay John. Bilang part ng mga nominees, I'm very thankful," he added.

(It brings me joy that my acting is noticed. But I don't need to win. I don't really need him and I lost to John Arcilla. I'm hands-down with John. As part of the nominees, I'm very thankful.)

Patrick, Kaye, and Paolo (Sparkle GMA Artist Center)

Moving on

The recent controversies led Paolo to admit that he doesn't like social media and avoids it altogether.

"Sabi ko nga I know the things that I did. Nagsorry na ako. Again, I'm working on changing myself which I don't post and I don't need to inform everyone what I'm doing.

(I said I know the things that I did. I'm sorry. Again, I'm working on changing myself which I don't post and I don't need to inform everyone what I'm doing.)

"So yung peace na yun, nasa utak ko. Work helps me concentrate more. Suwerte ako na ang GMA at MavX ang kino-consider nila ay yung talento na dinadala ko at hindi yung personal kung pinagdadaanan.

(So that peace is in my mind. Work helps me concentrate more. I'm lucky that GMA and MavX consider the talent I bring and not the personal things I'm going through.)

"Yes, of course, you get reprimanded at napagsasabihan ka. But at the end of the day, alam naman nila na I deliver.

(Yes, of course, you get reprimanded. But at the end of the day, they know that I deliver.)

"I don't get bothered by bashings especially if these people don't really matter to me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion based on the facts that they know kung ano lang na ang na-present sa kanila. Ilang tao lang talaga ang nakaka-alam ng tunay na facts. So kung yun ang tingin nila, then so. be it. Minsan yung criticism sa akin offensive na but it's their prerogative," Paolo said.

As far as patronizing the entertainment industry is concerned, he thinks the audience has already matured.

"Naniniwala ako na nagmature na ang mga audience. I'm not saying all bashers are trolls. But then again, they will always say what they want because they can. It's very easy for them to criticize everyone. They will always be there. Pero if there's a movie regardless of how much they hate you, they will still watch it," said Paolo.

Future goals

Paolo said he's grateful to the industry that fed and clothed him as a child. Now he wants to share his talent with the younger generation. Hopefully, Paolo will have the opportunity to direct these rising stars in the future.

"Right now I feel na nagmamature na ako sa mga ginagawa kong projects. Sa tagal ko sa industriya, marami na akong alam. Pero iba pa rin yung may pinag-aralan ka. Iba pa rin yung meron kang edukasyon to back it up.

"So gusto kong matuto magsulat. Naghahanap lang ako ng oras on how to do it. Eventually gusto ko na rin mag-direk. Marami kang gustong gawin pero hindi mo maisulat. Minsan nakaka-frustrate yun eh. Gusto kong isulat yung mga naiisip ko na ideas.

"Malaking bagay na kontrolado mo lahat eh. Two years ago sinasabi na sa akin ni Lucky (na mag-direk na raw ako.) Sabi ko noon huwag muna. I would like to direct the younger generation baka sakaling ma-impart mo sa kanila yung mga magagadang natutunan mo sa industriya," said Paolo.

In describing the status of his life now, Paolo remarked: "I'm quiet now. Para sa akin ang social media is to promote lamang ng mga gagawin mo and not to promote your personal life. Eventually, it will bite you. I'm quiet. Happy? I am okay. Para totally maging masaya ka, dapat lahat ng problema mo naayos na. And that's my goal. I'm determined to fix everything that I need to fix. Then I could say I'm contented and happy."