He was invariably the naughty, wacky one in these episodes, his lips turning up in a mischievous grin, nose crinkling after a hilarious punchline. Those days of horsing around were fun times for the new Primeline talent — done more in the spirit of play than of work.
But these days, Paolo is into much more serious stuff. Since he transferred to GMA last April, Paolo has been taking on dramatic roles like those in Hanggang Kailan, where he sheds tears in heart-tugging scenes. The comedy — if ever there is any at all — is light and far-between.
The career swing may be drastic, but that’s what Paolo has agreed to do in agreement with Primeline. The goal, says he, is to become another Christopher de Leon or Richard Gomez. And this calls for a shift to bida-kontrabida roles.
"My model in drama roles is Pen Medina (his co-star in Tabing Ilog). I learn a lot just by observing him closely," reveals Paolo. He also reads the script not just once, but twice, to make sure he has a clear grasp of his character, especially in Hangang Kailan, where he came in when taping for the soap was already in full swing.
Paolo also gets to sharpen his dramatic skills on GMA’s youth-oriented Love to Love.
So serious is this 24-year-old Fil-Italian (dad’s Italian; mom’s Filipina) about his work he stays up late at night watching two DVDs one after the other in his room.
"My favorites are Life is Beautiful, Deerhunter and Full Metal Jacket. I also love old Hollywood movies like those of Charlton Heston," says Paolo.
He keeps a sharp eye on the acting, bearing in mind that his goal is to last in the business by being good at what he does.
One of his idols in this area is Sean Penn in I Am Sam.
"It’s my kind of film because the drama in the story moves you to tears. That’s the triumph of the story for me," says he.
Unlike some of his peers who want to play abnormal characters like an autistic person, Paolo’s ideal role need not have a physical or mental handicap.
"This way," he explains, "the audience will be moved, not because he looks and acts differently, but because of what he does. This way too, the audience can identify more with the character."
Makes sense. But why his move from one network to another, and therefore, from one management company (ABS-CBN’s Talent Center) to another?
The answer is as personal as can be. Paolo is in love with Primeline talent Nancy Castiglione, his girlfriend of almost one-and-a-half years.
Now that they belong to the same station, he has no more problems about visiting her on the set. He can spend more time with her, too.
Our young Romeo openly admits Nancy tamed him. He has given up drinking and goes to the gym regularly. As a result, he doesn’t weigh 160 pounds anymore, the way he used to.
"Nancy keeps my feet firmly planted on the ground by reminding me to always remain humble. And she gives me options when I have a problem. She doesn’t ram ideas down my throat," reveals Paolo.
He has resisted showbiz’s built-in temptations because of her. Instead of going to a party– which Nancy will allow him to do anyway– Paolo just stays home and rests.
"It’s reverse psychology," he explains. "I don’t fool around simply because my girlfriend doesn’t rein me in. Maybe it will be different if she’s the controlling type. Masarap ang bawal, di ba?
Marriage is not yet in the offing, but he and Nancy have discussed it.
Paolo even looks forward to the day when he can build a house for Nancy and their family in a property he plans to buy in Alabang.
Paolo can’t run out of complements when describing Nancy.
"She’s independent and strong. She works hard. When she had problems with Immigration years back (because of her passport, since Nancy is half-Italian), she never bucked down and gave up. I helped her solve the problem since I already had my eye on her even then," says Paolo.
He even turned it into a strategy to win her heart.
"She had another suitor. I figured out that I will let the press know I’m helping Nancy out so this suitor will back out. Guess what? It worked!" Paolo smiles triumphantly.
He hopes the Alabang property he is eyeing will someday be the site of a lovenest Paolo will build for Nancy and their future family.
Unlike the house he’s selling in Parañaque (his parents bought it for him when Paolo was only eight), this one will be built according to his specifications and will reflect his taste.
As a first step, Paolo has asked his Dad to let him handle his own money from now on.
"This way," Paolo reasons out, "I will know where my money goes. Imagine, I didn’t realize I bought two cars in two years until my Dad told me so."
But don’t get any ideas. Paolo insists he can control himself enough to refrain from spending P1,000 for two weeks straight.
He also gets a lot of advice from older friends – self-made millionaires whose humility keeps Paolo level-headed.
"They can easily be my Dad,"relates Paolo. "I learn a lot from them because they’re so down-to-earth."
The sight of ordinary people walking down the street also humbles Paolo. It spurs him to strive harder, even if his parents can very well provide for him and his older brother (his mother is in the soya milk business).
"I already told my Dad I want to be a partner in his travel business," states Paolo. He also plans to take a short course on Culinary Arts in Italy and study film directing in the Philippines.
Here is one guy who won’t let the glamour and glitter of showbiz mislead him into complacency.