Paolo Ballesteros

Paolo Ballesteros
Paolo (right) with Jose and Wally on their Eat Bulaga segment Juan for all, all for Juan
Born	Paolo Elito Ballesteros IV (1982-11-29) November 29, 1982 Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Other names	Paolo Ballesteros
Occupation	Actor, Model, TV Host, Product Endorser
Years active	2001-present

Paolo Elito Ballesteros IV (born November 29, 1982 in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines) better known as Paolo Ballesteros is a Filipino actor, TV host and model. He has appeared in films and several TV shows. Currently, he is managed by talent manager Joji Dingcong who also handled actors Piolo Pascual and Cogie Domingo for a time.

Personal life

Ballesteros finished AB Communication major in Saint Louis University in Baguio.

Unknown to many people, Paolo is a descendant (great-grandson) of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and lists actress Eula Valdez as his aunt.

He also has a daughter named Keira Claire Ballesteros to his former girlfriend Kaye Nevada.

Aside from hosting and acting, Paolo who has done many TV. commercials and product endorsements, also enjoys painting.

Paolo was also the Red Cross of the Philippines Image Youth Model.

Career

In 2001, Paolo joined the noontime show "Eat Bulaga" as segment host for the campus pageant "U-Bet", with fellow newcomers Phoemela Barranda and Derek Ramsay. After "U-Bet" ended its run, he was immediately elevated to regular host status. His daily exposure in the show and immense rapport with the veteran "Bulaga" hosts won him a wide fan base.

In 2002, he was nominated for Best New Male Personality at the Star Awards for Television. He won the award, besting fellow nominees Dennis Trillo and Railey Valeroso. He also started appearing in other TV shows like "Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin" and "Kahit Kailan" of GMA-7. However, he was best known for his wacky stint in the now-defunct GMA sitcom "Daddy Di Do Du" as Danica Sotto's boyfriend. Soon after, he was cast in movies like "Pakisabi na Lang" and "Anghel sa Lupa" of Regal Films.

In 2003, Paolo's TV stints were limited only to "Eat Bulaga" and "Daddy Di Do Du" however he was kept busy by doing singing performances in comedy bars like Klownz and Zirkoh which are owned by fellow "Bulaga" co-host Allan K.

Although he already made a name as a young host/TV comedian, Paolo also gained matinee idol status on TV when he was paired with Ciara Sotto. Their loveteam which started in the "Bulagaan" segment of "Eat Bulaga" soon branched out to other TV shows. They did Season 7 and Season 9 of "Love to Love" which gained high ratings. They were also paired in "Enteng Kabisote 3". However, fate had other plans as Ciara soon quit "Bulaga" to perform in concerts abroad.

In 2007, Paolo's exposure in the daily noontime show "Eat Bulaga" was reduced to a weekly exposure on Saturdays. His other TV show, "Daddy Di Do Du" ended and was replaced with "Fulhaus". While on free time, he was included in the digital sci-fi independent film "Xenoa" where he was involved in several difficult action scenes. After "Xenoa", Paolo was included in the cast of "Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan" as one of the main villains of the show (the other being Jay Manalo). He plays Ida, the transvestite grandson of Kuuma Le-ar. Playing his role Ida of Zaido marked on becoming a household name in primetime and made himself more famous due to his role as "Precious Paola Nicole" in BEBOT segment of Eat Bulaga where he won the title in 2005. After Zaido, he has returned to Eat Bulaga on weekdays. He recently joins the casts of Dyesebel which stars Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, who were recently the main powerhouse casts of MariMar. In 2009, Paolo played "Afie" in the drama "Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang" where he worked with Marian Rivera for the second time.

In 2010, Paolo had the chance to work with Optimum Star Claudine Barretto in an episode of the GMA drama-anthology "Claudine" where he once again played a transvestite. Unlike his previous gay roles where his characterizations were described as campy by some critics, his role in that particular episode as a vengeful tranvestite half-brother of Barretto drew rave reviews.

In the later part of 2010, Paolo unofficially formed a comic trio with Eat Bulaga co-hosts Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola when they were assigned to host the show's segment "Juan for All, All for Juan" where they visit different barangays and give various gifts in cash and kind to the lucky homeviewers.

Later part of 2011, Paolo won as EB Universe 2011 as "Shamcey Mwah Mwah Tsup Tsup" Ms. Philippines in a special episode called EB Universe 2011 in Eat Bulaga.

He also joined the powerhouse cast of I ♥ You, Pare! which premiered on February 7, 2011, starring Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes. Paolo portrayed the role of Vodka, a drag queen. Vodka is the star performer of Club Love and he will become Tonette’s (Regine Velasquez) biggest rival among the gay performers who are working there. It ended in May 27, 2011, and was replaced by Amaya.

Filmography

Television

Film

References

External links

• Paolo Ballesteros at the Internet Movie Database