Paolo Contis on netizens’ ‘namimigay ng premyo pero di ng sustento’ remark: ‘Wala naman silang alam’
Paolo Contis. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz
Paolo Contis addressed netizens’ comments about him giving away cash prizes on “Eat Bulaga” but not providing financial support to his children, saying he just laughs it off because the public knows nothing about the efforts he has been doing.
The actor spoke up about this after comedian Ogie Diaz asked his reaction on the matter, as seen in an interview vlog on the latter’s YouTube channel on Friday, July 7.
“Nabwisit ka ba or napikon or naaliw ka na lang nung may nabasa or nalaman kang comment na namimigay ka ng premyo [sa ‘Eat Bulaga’] pero hindi ka nagsusustento?” asked Diaz, who wanted to refute such comments but said Contis did not allow him.
(Were you annoyed or did you find it funny when you read the comments about how you were supposedly giving away prizes on “Eat Bulaga,” but do not provide financial support [to your children]?)
“‘Yung usapin pagdating sa bagay na ‘yan, hindi ko na ‘yan pwedeng sagutin,” Contis responded. “Kumbaga, usapang lawyers na ‘yan. Natatawa na lang ako kasi, again, wala naman silang alam sa mga effort na gusto kong mangyari, sa effort na gusto kong gawin.”
(I am not allowed to answer questions regarding that matter because there are already lawyers involved. I just find it funny because, again, the public does not know anything about the efforts I want to happen and do.)
Contis added that he is not allowed to elaborate on the matter, which was the reason why the statements he made during his January interview with Boy Abunda were “blown out of proportion.” It can be recalled that during the said interview, Contis admitted not giving financial support to his children and that he had his “own reasons” for doing so.
“[‘Yung] nangyari sa interview ko with Tito Boy, nung sinabi ko ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yon, it was a mistake kasi nga nasa lawyer na. Mali ‘yung pagkakasabi ko tapos hindi ko naman inelaborate kaya, kumbaga, blown out of proportion,” the actor said.
(It was a mistake when I made statements during my interview with Tito Boy. That came out wrong and I did not elaborate, which was why it was blown out of proportion.)
Contis also pointed out that the cash prizes he gives away in “Eat Bulaga” are not from his pocket but from the show’s production, with the actor saying, “Tawang-tawa ako sa konsepto na ‘yon, tapos ang daming naniniwala.” (I find that concept funny, but many people believe it.)
‘Collateral damage’
Contis then opened up about his children, saying he misses them and that he often “stalks” social media accounts to see photos of his kids.
“I would like to think na nung panahong OK, hands-on ako [sa mga anak ko]. It’s just really sad na naging collateral damage sila sa mga kamalian ko,” he stated. “Maraming paulit-ulit na nagkakamali [pero] hindi ibig sabihin no’n ayaw mong magbago, ‘di ba?”
(I would like to think that when the situation was OK, I was hands-on when it came to my children. It’s just really sad that they became the collateral damage of my mistakes. Many people commit mistakes repeatedly, but that doesn’t mean that they do not want to change, right?)
Contis confessed he realized how big his mistake was when he grew older, but that he was not able to settle matters because of “pride and stubbornness” on his part.
“Kung meron akong regret, ‘yan ‘yung oras [na nawala] kasi ‘yon ‘di mo na maibabalik…. For me, buong buhay ko ‘yon pagsisisihan,” he said. (If I have any regret, that is the time that was lost because I cannot have it back. For me, I will regret that for life.)
“Ang isang main fear ko is that I will never get the opportunity to actually talk to them,” he continued. “Katulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, I will never ever enter their lives para manggulo… Just to have a decent conversation, that’s all I’m asking.”
(One of my main fears is that I will never get the opportunity to actually talk to them. As I have always said, I will never ever enter their lives to cause commotion. Just to have a decent conversation, that’s all I’m asking.)
Contis then stressed that he has opted not to make public all details about these matters because his children “deserve a quiet life.” When Diaz asked if the actor considered “reaching out” to them, Contis answered, “I tried.”
“Sure naman akong may mga bagay na silang hinaharap because of me, na hindi nila deserve, and I hate myself for that—na tuwing may masamang mangyayari sa akin [ay] lahat sila madadamay,” Contis said.
(I’m sure that they have already been facing circumstances that they do not deserve because of me, and I hate myself for that—that whenever something controversial happens to me, they would be affected.)
Contis also disclosed that he currently has no plans of having another child, saying he thinks it would be “unfair” for his children if their father would want another child given their current family situation.
Contis has three daughters. He shares his two eldest children, Xonia and Xalene, with former EB Babe Lian Paz, while his youngest daughter Summer is his child with actress LJ Reyes.
Contis is currently in a relationship with actress Yen Santos. /ra
