Paolo Ballesteros INQUIRER.net
Kapuso actor Paolo Ballesteros receives yet another recognition for his LGBTQ-themed movies. This time however, it was not in the form of a trophy but instead, a letter from an anonymous sender who was inspired by his films.
Apparently, the student was hiding his real sexual preference and was encouraged to finally come out to his family through the award-winning films of the critically-acclaimed actor.
The short but definitely heart-melting handwritten letter of gratitude said: “Hi Paolo, thank you so much. Your LGBTQ films gave me enough courage to come out to my parents. Please continue to inspire people like myself by being an iconic voice for the LGBTQ community. God bless and thank you again.”
The sender only identified himself as “a student delegate from Taft.”
Since he started showbiz, Paolo has been identified with comedy and supporting roles. But it was only until he gave life to the iconic character of Trisha, a Filipino transgender woman who lived her life facing the adversities and consequences of living as a transgender in the conservative Philippine society in the internationally-acclaimed gay-oriented film “Die Beautiful.”
In past interviews, Ballesteros said that it was only when he did the movie that he was recognized as an actor.
Locally, he won the most coveted Movie Actor of the Year award at the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies and Best Actor at the 40th Gawad Urian.
But it wasn’t only the Philippine movie audience that appreciated the movie. “Die Beautiful” also gained international recognitions and Ballesteros gave honor to the country for winning Best Actor at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival and a Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance.
In 2016, Ballesteros also starred in another gay-oriented movie “Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend” along with Dennis Trillo and Anne Curtis.
This year, he top-bills a similarly-plotted movie with Yam Concepcion, “Amnesia Love.” /jpv
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