Paolo Ballesteros’ advice to closet queens

Paolo Ballesteros as “Barbi”

After wowing the public and impressing critics in “Die Beautiful,” Paolo Ballesteros is back to strut his stuff on the big screen in OctoArts Films’ “Barbi D’ Wonder Beki” (opens Nov. 29). It’s a coming-of-age film about a closeted gay in a family of policemen.

Costarring with Pao is the original “Barbi” (of the ’80s), Joey de Leon. Together—and in drag, at that—they make quite a formidable combination. As Barbi 1 and Barbi 2, Paolo and Joey will make you scream “OMG”—as in, “Oh my Goddesses.”
“PaoLo” and behold!

Here’s my chat with Paolo:

What’s your advice to closet queens? Be happy. Stay in the closet for as long as you want. You don’t need anyone telling you what to do; you just have to listen to yourself.

How do you feel about your movie being pitted against “Unexpectedly Yours,” the Sharon Cuneta-Robin Padilla reunion movie? Nov. 29 has long been scheduled to be our playdate, since that’s my birthday. It’s no problem at all that the films will be shown at the same time. Theirs belongs to a different genre. We hope the public will support both. Magkaibang putahe para ’di maumay ang audience. It’s exciting—after many years, Sharon and Robin are teaming up again. And, after decades, Joey is back as Barbi.

Paolo Ballesteros (left) with Joey de Leon

Is there pressure for “Barbi” to surpass the success of “Die Beautiful”? I refuse to feel pressured. What I hope is for “Barbi” to also make a dent. And may the audience embrace Barbi just like they accepted me as Trisha in “DB.”

At this point in your life, how has your definition of love changed? It’s still the same, actually. Whenever I’m in love, I make sure that I give my 100 percent, even if I know it’ll hurt more when it ends. But, no regrets.

What state is your heart in? Nganga (laughs). It’s under renovation.

What will it take for someone to pin you down and make you want to get hitched? Hmmm. Maturity and someone who will baby me.

In what way is your movie different from Joey’s? Joey’s role was a straight guy pretending to be Barbi. I play a closeted gay, so my character really savors being Barbi. Feel na feel n’ya.

What does the dream house that you’re having built look like? Simple. Just right for my family. A mix of modern and industrial look.

Tell us the latest about your daughter. She no longer stays abroad. She’s studying in Baguio. It’s better now, because we get to bond more often.

If you were a kind of makeup, what would you be? Eyeshadow, because it’s so me … very colorful.

If you would come up with your own cosmetic line, what will you name it? Barbi.

What’s your craziest fantasy? To be an astronaut, explore the universe, and discover something very important.

Anne’s ‘happily ever after’

Congratulations to the ever-fab Anne Curtis for taking the plunge. She is sunshine personified. My son IC Mendoza raved about Anne’s kindness after working with her in a movie. She even gave my daughter, Bianchi, the inspirational book, “When God Writes Your Love Story” by Eric and Leslie Ludy. Anne’s handwritten dedication to Bianchi goes: “This book inspired me to only want God’s best for me, because then it will be the most beautiful love story in the world. I hope you find your Prince Charming.”

All the singles out there ought to take the cue from Anne and read that book. True enough, her love story with Erwan Heussaff was indeed written by God. May Erwan and Anne “love” happily ever after.