Paolo’s many faces, many facets

PAOLO Ballesteros (center) describes Beyoncé (bottom, left) as the most difficult to copy and Angelina Jolie (top, right) and Mariah Carey (top, center) as his favorites. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GMA CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Filipino beauties have been reigning supreme in various international pageants these past few years. Now, a gorgeous Filipino man, Paolo Ballesteros, has caught the attention of foreign media and world-famous celebrities because of his awesome makeup transformations.

The “Eat Bulaga” host has been featured in local shows like “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.” Is the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” only a matter of time?

Paolo and behold!

Which transformation was the hardest to pull off?

The toughest for me was Beyoncé. It took almost three weeks of constant practice. I think it’s because her features are softer, not as sharp as the others’.

Who is the easiest to do?

Angelina Jolie. All it takes are a well-contoured face and huge, pouting lips. That’s it.

Who are your favorites?

Angelina, because she was my first. Mariah Carey because she was really funny and brought the house down when I did her on “Eat Bulaga.’ She sang an entire song by doing her trademark “whistle” technique. Also, Julia Roberts because I never thought I could look like her.

What are your makeup techniques?

I try to get as many photos of the stars, from different angles, which I then use as reference to guide me in my makeup transformations. I also check out YouTube, which offers lots of tutorial videos.

How’s your daughter?

Keira Claire is already five years old. She also likes putting on makeup. Once dolled up, she refuses to wipe her face clean. Even if she’s about to sleep, she keeps the makeup on.

Is there pressure to outdo yourself, now that foreign media outlets have noticed you?

There is not much pressure naman. It was never my intention to get the world’s attention in the first place. I just love playing with cosmetics at home, exploring new characters, which I then play in “Eat Bulaga.” Things are still the same. But, of course, I am very happy with how things turned out.

What was your reaction when you heard that foreign shows and websites have featured you?

I was really surprised. I was just having fun, posting photos on Instagram. It’s heart-warming when our Dabarkads (barkada or fellow Filipinos), who are based abroad, send messages on IG (Instagram) to tell me how proud they are whenever they see me on foreign shows, magazines, newspapers, and sites. It’s humbling and I am thankful that they appreciate my talent.

Who are the other celebs you want to impersonate?

My inspirations come from the movies and TV shows that I watch. It also depends on the wigs I have. I should be able to repurpose and restyle old wigs to create a new character. I cut, curl, straighten wigs. It involves a lot of work.

If you could trade places with any Hollywood star, who would it be?

Angelina Jolie, so I could have a Brad Pitt beside me! Hahaha!

Are you vain?

Vain is not the right term for me. Maybe, self-conscious. I wake up early so I could fix my hair before going to my workplace—which is usually the middle of the street, under the midday sun. I want my hair to be perfect even if we sweat like crazy.

What are your quirks?

On Sunday, if there’s no work, I just stay at home. I don’t take a bath. I don’t brush my teeth. It’s my chance to be lazy because I work hard trying to look good all week.

Have you tried doing other people’s faces?

I did my sister’s makeup on her wedding day. It went well naman. But once I tried a makeup transformation on her. Our goal was Scarlett Johansson, but she ended up looking like Claire de la Fuente. I guess it’s because I am more used to the contours of my own face.

What’s your ultimate makeup fantasy?

I want to do makeup transformations on my mom and siblings and then we would all pose for a family portrait.

Do you want to establish a cosmetology school someday?

Actually, I want to go to funeral cosmetology school. I want to learn not just how to make the deceased look good, but also how to reconstruct damaged faces and how to make the old look younger.

Heroic series

Get to know the man behind the hero as GMA News and Public Affairs brings to life the untold story of Jose Rizal in “Ilustrado,” which premieres Monday night.

It features the life of Rizal as a young student in the Philippines and follows his travels in Europe, as well as other major events that shaped his mind as a reformist.

Through his love letters, the series will also show a hero’s human side. Alden Richards portrays Rizal, with Kylie Padilla as Rizal’s true love Leonor Rivera and Solenn Heussaff as Nellie Boustead, the Frenchwoman whom Rizal almost married.