Paulo Avelino’s ‘joke’

Plus: GMA News TV launches its 1st original series ‘Bayan Ko’

Paulo Avelino didn’t like it when the Entertainment Press Society asked him to be an awards presenter at the 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards held Friday, March 1, at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Paulo could not hide his displeasure when he said something like “I was forced to do something that I didn’t like” in Filipino before he presented an award. To think that a few minutes before, he just received an award.

As a member of Enpress (and a voting member at that), we don’t have a problem if Paulo did not want to grant our simple request to present an award. We won’t force him if he didn’t want to. We were just as surprised as the other press people, who heard what he said. He didn’t sound like he was joking. He was serious.

Many press people who were doing coverage for the 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards were taken aback by what Paulo said that’s why he is now getting a lot of negative publicity. One columnist even wrote that Paulo is in danger of being stripped of his award (he won Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for “Walang Hanggan”) since Enpress is supposedly taking such action against the Kapamilya actor. The Entertainment Press Society will hold its regular meeting next week. We are certain that Enpress would take up Paulo’s “uncalled for remark”.

It is not the practice of the Golden Screen TV Awards (or the Golden Screen Awards, our awards for movies) to take back an award which we have already given. There was never an instance in the history of Enpress that we recall any award that we have given. So Paulo need not worry that he has to return his glass trophy.

Leo Dominguez, manager of Paulo, sent a text message to Enpress President to apologize for what Paulo did. Leo’s text read:  “Paulo Avelino would like to apologize to the Enpress for the statement he made when he presented an award during the Golden Screen Awards. He was just trying to crack an innocent joke to lighten up the program, with no intention to offend anyone, most especially his friends from the press. He now realizes the consequences of his statement and he would like to exhaust all means to reconcile with those he offended.”

Frankly speaking, we didn’t think Paulo was kidding when we heard him speak. He didn’t sound like he was cracking a joke. If he really didn’t want to present an award, he should have told his manager who gave him the go signal to do so. When he was first approached by an Enpress member if he could present an award, Paulo said we’ve got to ask permission so we called up Leo who gave the go signal. So why blabber onstage that he was forced to do something he didn’t like to do?

And if he was really sincere in extending his apologies, why is it that it was Leo who texted Jun Nardo? Why can’t Paulo do it himself? Doesn’t he have a cell phone? Just asking.

***

Timely as today’s headlines, GMA News TV is proud to present “Bayan Ko”, a six-part TV series that tackles societal issues such as corruption, bureaucracy, malnutrition, illegal logging and political dynasties.

Directed by acclaimed and award winning director Adolfo Alix, Jr., Bayan Ko addresses serious matters with a dash of humor and romance without compromising its goal of bringing into people’s awareness the current political and social issues surrounding them.

The telemovie is about the story of Mayor Joseph Santiago, an idealistic new Mayor who faces some very real problems played by Rocco Nacino. In the process, he discovers a bunch of wayward employees have turned the municipal hall into a boarding house and, worse, have been making under the table deals at every turn. His efforts to fight corruption – both petty and large scale – are thwarted by a political dynasty led by Governor Antonio Rubio and Congressman Antonio Rubio, played by father and son tandem Pen and Ping Medina.

Bayan Ko, a groundbreaking television project and GMA News TV’s 1st original series, is shot entirely on high definition.

Produced and created by Eliza Zamora Solis and Nessa Valdellon from the pen of Rody Vera, the TV series airs Sundays at 6:30 PM starting March 10, only on Channel 11.

Powerhouse cast includes LJ Reyes, Maria Isabel Lopez, Mercedes Cabral, Betong Sumaya, Love Anover, Simon Ibarra with the special participation of Bembol Roco.

***

 He is an epitome of a Pinoy heartthrob whose good looks, brains and guts can easily captivate the imagination of voters in the May 13 senatorial elections.

No wonder he is always asked by the media everywhere he goes, if he never had any plans of entering the entertainment business because he is definitely a showbiz material. But the handsome Congressman from Aurora shyly quips, “hindi po tayo pang-showbiz. Gagawa na lang po tayo ng batas.”

The only son of outgoing Sen. Edgardo Angara, the congressman and a former law professor had kept a low profile, even if he has some of the most impeccable credentials of a public servant - a degree from the London School of Economics (with honors), the University of the Philippines-College of Law, and the Harvard Law School.  At  40, he is the author of more than 50 national laws and one of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awardees in 2010.

Since the start of the senatorial campaign last Feb. 12,  Angara has been zipping back and forth across the country, opening his heart and life to the people; and talking about his platforms and advocacies. His Facebook and Twittter accounts are swamped by followers and numerous “like ng mga lola” hits, proving his appeal even to the common people, especially the elderly who credited him for the passage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994).

He has earned the moniker “kilabot ng mga bebot”  from “kolehiyalas” who have flocked to his guest appearances in forums, and  the “idol ng madlang pipol”  tag for his wits during a quick stint as judge in ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” noon time variety program.