Why Paolo Contis must be hardest-working Kapuso

Paolo Contis. BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.

TAGBILARAN CITY—Actor Paolo Contis could be the hardest-working GMA 7 star.

He juggles the nightly series “Futbolilits” and the weekly game show “Manny Many Prizes.” He cohosted the recently concluded kiddie talent search “I-Shine” and regularly pinch-hits in the gag show “Bubble Gang”— that is, whenever lead stars Ogie Alcasid and Michael V aren’t around.

“I have no right to refuse any work that comes my way,” he told Inquirer Entertainment, “especially since jobs are hard to come by these days.”

Upside down

Also, becoming a dad to two baby girls (Xonia, 1 year and 4 months old; Xalene, 4 months) in quick succession has turned his world upside down, Paolo admitted. The mother is former EB Babe Lian Paz.

“My priorities have changed,” Paolo explained. “I used to buy stuff only for myself. Now, I also buy for the kids, and I do that wholeheartedly. I’m always in a hurry to get home after work, so I can play with them.”

The former “Ang TV” child star truly has grown up. He related: “Recently, there was an earthquake. In the past, I wouldn’t have given it much thought; I’d have just gone back to sleep. This time, I rushed to the babies’ room to check on them. It has become second nature to me… to protect my family.”

And work hard for them. Having set aside his “never-on-Sunday” rule, he had flown to Bohol to grace his network’s celebration of the province’s Sandugo festival.

Paolo said it was important for him to touch base with Boholano fans of “Futbolilits,” a series close to his heart because it allows him to share the screen with young costars Renz Valerio, Julian Trono and Yogo Singh. A former child actor, Paolo confessed that he relates well with the boys’ travails.

Lead star Raymart Santiago once called Paolo’s attention because he (Paolo) had the habit of “scaring” the kids.

Cariño brutal, Paolo called this . “I went through that sort of initiation with the veteran stars I worked with when I was young. Rudy Fernandez, Vic Sotto, Babalu and Aga Muhlach used to tease me a lot.”

Pass it on

It’s his turn to pass on not only the fun, but the love for the craft as well. “I hope to share with them the values I picked up through the years,” he said. “These kids are amazing; they’re consummate professionals. They cry on cue and are quite mature. They seem to regard acting as serious work.”

Speaking of pros, he considers himself fortunate to be “an honorary member” of Team Pacquiao. “Manny works only with people he trusts,” he noted. “He’s sure I won’t upstage him, and that I will always do my job well. He’s very sincere. He’s the first to admit he’s not a good host, but he’s willing to learn. I’m here to join him on his learning journey.”