Paolo Contis. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
Paolo Contis admitted that he has not been giving financial support to his three children, saying he has his “own reasons” for doing so.
In an interview by Boy Abunda on January 27, Contis revealed that he doesn’t have a fatherly relationship with Xonia, Xalene and Summer Ayana, but that he hoped that he can make it up to them in the future. Xonia and Xalene are his daughters with estranged wife, former EB Babe Lian Paz, while Summer Ayana is his daughter with actress LJ Reyes.
The actor said that while he had not been giving support to his children, he claims to have been saving up money for them, which they can use in the future.
“Sa sustento issue, I don’t give. Again, I have my reasons why, but I’m saving for them. I have some savings for them that hopefully, one day, I could give to them straight. It’s a mistake na nasimulan ko na hindi ako nakapagbigay, but ever since na nagtrabaho ako nang maayos, unti-unti akong naglalagay sa account para kay Xonia, kay Xalene, pati kay Summer,” he said.
(I don’t give financial support. Again, I had my reasons why, but I’m saving for them. I have some savings for them that hopefully, one day, I could give to them straight. It’s a mistake to not provide for them financially, but ever since I started working properly, I’ve been saving up money for Xonia, Xalene, and Summer little by little.)
The actor added that he chose to stay silent after Paz revealed in 2018 that she has been the sole provider for Xonia and Xalene since their controversial split in 2012, because he wanted to leave their children out of the matter.
“Certain things, dapat hindi na dinadaan sa interview. Dapat ‘yung mga ibang bagay, napag-uusapan na lang kasi kung magsasalita ako, hindi siya matatapos. Ang kawawa ‘yung mga bata. Kapag nagsalita ako, mahahalungkat nila ‘yun and at the end of the day, ang gusto ko lang ay peace para doon sa mga bata.”
(Certain things shouldn’t have to be mentioned in an interview. Many issues have already been brought to light and if I share my side of the story, it wouldn’t be over. The children will get dragged into this. If I speak up, past issues will be brought up again and at the end of the day, I just want the kids to have a peaceful life.)
Estranged
The actor likewise disclosed that it’s been more than six years since he last saw Xonia and Xalene in Cebu, while it’s been two years since his abrupt parting with Summer.
“The last time I saw Xonia and Xalene was six or seven years ago, when we went to Cebu, and then naputol na naman (and then we lost touch again). Kay Summer, magiging two years ko na siyang hindi nakaka-usap (Whereas it’s been two years since I’ve last talked to Summer). I reached out though, I tried to reach out. But as I always say, forgiveness takes time. Healing takes time, and I’m giving that to LJ,” he said.
Contis also added. “‘Yung sa dalawa ko, gusto kong bumawi. ‘Yung kay Summer biglaan kasi. It doesn’t make me love Summer more. Lahat silang tatlo mahal ko syempre, pero doon sa dalawa, medyo malalim-lalim na rin ‘yung pagkukulang ko so hindi ko sila masisisi.”
(For [Xonia and Xalene], I want to make it up to them. While I abruptly lost touch with Summer, it doesn’t make me love her more. Of course, I love the three of them. But for [Xonia and Xalene], I’ve made a lot of mistakes so I can’t blame them for not communicating with me.)
Contis also shared that he was coming from Sorsogon when he found out that Reyes and her children went to the U.S. The latter is currently based in New York, U.S. with Summer and her son with actor Paulo Avelino, Ethan Akio since October 2021.
“Kay Summer, namimiss ko siya sobra. Lagi kong kasama ‘yun sa taping, tapos biglang naputol. ‘Pag uwi ko galing Sorsogon, paalis na sila eh [papunta ng U.S.],” he said.
(I miss Summer so much. I always bring her to my tapings, then our connection is suddenly lost. I was coming from Sorsogon, when they were heading to the U.S.)
It can be recalled that Contis asked for forgiveness to Reyes, as well as Summer and Ethan through a lengthy Instagram post in September 2021, following their controversial breakup. Reyes admitted that forgiving her ex is not an easy thing to do, but it is “work in progress” in an exclusive interview with Nelson Canlas for “24 Oras” a month later.
‘Greatest fear’
Contis also admitted that his greatest fear was for his children to develop hatred towards him. He said that he hoped he would be able to repair their relationship and will be in good terms in the future.
“Hindi naman na sa akin lumaki ‘yung mga bata, especially si Xonia at si Xalene, so para ma-hate nila ako, ‘yun ‘yung pinakafear ko. Nasa stage ako na maging magkaibigan lang tayo eventually. Civil lang, wag lang galit. Hindi ko kailangang mahalin nila ako kasi hindi ko ‘yun masisisi,” he said.
(The kids didn’t grow up with me, especially Xonia and Xalene, so my greatest fear is for them to hate me. Although I’m currently in a stage where I’m hoping that we would be friends eventually. We’ll just be civil, no hard feelings. I don’t need them to love me because I can’t blame them for doing so.)
Contis has been speculated to be in a relationship with his “A Faraway Land” costar Yen Santos since 2021, however, he has yet to clarify the real score between them. The actor recently spoke about their status at a set visit with reporters, saying “what you see is what you get.” EDV