But Paolo’s new commercial model-girlfriend has no reason to feel insecure. His new love is not another girl out to grab him from her, but an oh-so- popular sport: badminton.
It all began last October, when he and his friends converted a vacant lot at 12 Manga Road, New Manila, into a five-court badminton center. Called Toss & Smash, it’s open 24 hours a day and charges, according to Paolo, "the cheapest fees in town" (P50 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; P180 from 4 to 10 p.m.; P120 from 10 p.m. onwards).
As expected, the place is teeming with celebrities (fans, take note!). Rufa Mae Quinto, who plays from 1 to 6 a.m. and orders breakfast after her game, is a frequent client. So are Janno Gibbs, Bing Loyzaga, Gladys Reyes, John and Camille Prats, Janna Victoria, Alfred Vargas and Chubi del Rosario.
"There was even a time when the place had 20 players all at the same time!" reports Paolo.
Physical fitness, greater financial stability and new friends are not the only benefits the 29-year-old entrepreneur gets from badminton. Just as important to him is the psychic reward that goes with it.
"I’m happy at the chance it gives to introduce young people to the sport, and to help the older ones stay fit," he says with pride.
Paolo is a classic example. "I’m not ashamed to admit I learned the sport at 29, or much later than most people did," he says.
Learning a new sport has taught him much more than tossing a shuttlecock, hitting it with a racquet and trouncing his opponent in the court. It also taught Paolo that it’s never too late to try something new and learn a lot from it.
"I know the game — its technicalities, like proper footwork, proper defense, etc.," relates Paolo. So, when Viva Video approached him to do Smash! Badminton for Everyone, Paolo readily agreed. The newly-launched video casts Paolo as a student of badminton learning all about the game– from the right attire to advanced techniques–from the masters. These are current national team coach Butch Oreta and erstwhile national team coach Nelson Asuncion, and top badminton players Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion.
"The video is fast-paced, so there’s never a dull moment," assures Paolo.
And he guarantees it’s a lot better than working out in the gym.
"Gym workouts can get repetitious," explains Paolo. "But the minute you discover badminton, you’ll realize that no two games are alike. That’s the beauty of it. It all depends on whether your opponent is good or not. If he’s better than you, you must prepare your best defense. Otherwise, you can rely on different techniques to win."
No wonder Paolo is crazy over his new love. Since he discovered it almost a year ago, badminton has yet to fail him, be it in the slightest way.