Paolo Ballesteros

Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV (born November 29, 1982) is a Filipino actor, comedian, TV host, model and impersonator. He has appeared in films and several TV shows, and has been one of the co-hosts of longtime noontime show Eat Bulaga! since 2001.

Paolo Ballesteros
Ballesteros in 2012
Born	Paolo Elito M. Ballesteros IV November 29, 1982 Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Other names	Pochoy, P4
Occupation	Actor, TV host, model, comedian, product endorser
Years active	2001–present
Children	1

Personal life

Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV is related to Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo, his great-grandfather, and fellow celebrity Eula Valdez, who is his aunt.[1]

He was romantically involved with Katrina Nevada, with whom he has a daughter, Keira Clare.[2]

Although Ballesteros initially didn't directly confirm his sexual orientation publicly, there was already a strong indication that he was gay through his Instagram posts, his acceptance of gay roles in film and television, and his jokes about his sexuality as a host on Eat Bulaga!. He was romantically linked to several men, occasionally sharing romantic photos of them together from his own Instagram account. In April 2017, he uploaded a photo of himself with dancer Roland Ochoa Anog.;[3][4] In April 2018, pictures of him with Television actor and online personality Sebastian Castro circulated online, leading to speculation of a relationship.[5][6][7][8] Most recently, he has uploaded a photo of him with a non-showbiz figure Kenneth Concepcion in December 2018, once again leading netizens to believe he is in a gay relationship. In all instances, Ballesteros has never confirmed nor denied the rumors.[9]

In August 2019, during the press conference for the film The Panti Sisters, also starring Martin del Rosario and Christian Bables, Paolo Ballesteros finally revealed to be gay saying "I am a lady!" and don't seem to care now what people think of your sexual orientation.[10][11]

In another interview, he said that his daughter, Keira Claire, 10, already knew he was gay. However, the host of Eat Bulaga! said he didn't fully explain to Claire what it's like to be gay because of her age. But at the same time, Ballesteros has always been open to her.[12]

Career

2001–2006

In 2001, Ballesteros joined the noontime show Eat Bulaga! as segment host for the campus pageant "U-Bet", with fellow newcomers Phoemela Barranda and Derek Ramsay. After "U-Bet" ended its run, he was immediately elevated to regular host status. His daily exposure on the show and immense rapport with the veteran "Bulaga" hosts won him a wide fan base.

In 2002, he was nominated for Best New Male Personality at the Star Awards for Television. He won the award, besting fellow nominees Dennis Trillo and Railey Valeroso. He also started appearing in other TV shows like Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin and Kahit Kailan of GMA-7. However, he was best known for his wacky stint in the now-defunct GMA sitcom Daddy Di Do Du as Danica Sotto's boyfriend. Soon after, he was cast in movies like Pakisabi na Lang and Anghel sa Lupa of Regal Films.

In 2003, Ballesteros' TV stints were limited only to Eat Bulaga! and Daddy Di Do Du however he was kept busy by performing in comedy bars like "Klownz" and "Zirkoh", which are owned by fellow Eat Bulaga! co-host Allan K..

He made his name as a young host/TV comedian, and was then paired with Ciara Sotto. Their team which started in the "Bulagaan" segment of Eat Bulaga! soon branched out to other TV shows. They did Season 7 and 9 of Love to Love which gained high ratings. They were also paired in Enteng Kabisote 3. However, their pairing soon ended when Ciara quit Eat Bulaga! to perform in concerts abroad.

In 2007, Ballesteros' appearance on the daily noontime show Eat Bulaga! was reduced to a weekly stint on Saturdays. His other TV show, "Daddy Di Do Du" ended and was replaced with Fulhaus. While on free time, he was included in the digital sci-fi independent film Xenoa where he was involved in several difficult action scenes. After Xenoa, Ballesteros was included in the cast of Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan as one of the main villains of the show (the other being Jay Manalo). He plays Ida, the transvestite grandson of Kuuma Le-ar. The role of Ida of Zaido paved his way on becoming a household name in primetime television. Ballesteros became more famous due to his role as Precious Paola Nicole in BEBOT segment of Eat Bulaga!, where he won the title in 2005. After Zaido: Pulis Pankalawakan, he returned to Eat Bulaga! on weekdays. He later joined the cast of Dyesebel which also starred Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes. In 2009, Ballesteros played "Afie" in the drama Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang where he worked with Marian Rivera for the second time.

2010–present

In 2010, Ballesteros worked with Claudine Barretto in an episode of the GMA drama-anthology Claudine where he once again played a transvestite. Unlike his previous gay roles where his characterizations were described as "campy" by some critics, his role in that particular episode as a vengeful transvestite half-brother of Barretto drew rave reviews.

In the later part of 2010, Paolo unofficially formed a comic trio with Eat Bulaga! co-hosts Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola when they were assigned to host the show's segment "Juan for All, All for Juan". In this segment, Paolo and his co-hosts visit different barangays and give various gifts in cash and kind to the lucky homeviewers.

Later in 2011, Ballesteros won Eat Bulaga!'s EB Universe 2011 contest as Ms. Philippines' Shamcey Mwah Mwah Tsup Tsup (parody of Shamcey Supsup) in a special episode.

He also joined the cast of I Heart You, Pare!, starring Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes. Paolo portrayed the role of Vodka, a drag queen. Vodka was the star performer of Club Love and Tonette's (played by Regine Velasquez) biggest rival among the club's gay performers.

To this date, he is kept busy with his hosting job in Eat Bulaga! doing a segment for "Juan for All, All for Juan" along with the comic duo Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola.

However, in March 2016, he was reportedly suspended from Eat Bulaga! for six months due to the rants he posted on his Facebook account regarding the live show set-ups like about the catering and others.[13] During his suspension, Ballesteros spent his time in portraying his main roles in two different movies: Die Beautiful and Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo May BF?. Ballesteros returned to Eat Bulaga! in September 5, 2016.[14] Ballesteros won his first international Best Actor award for playing his role in Die Beautiful in 29th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Impersonation and makeup transformation

Ballesteros is renowned for his various impersonation of female and male artists and has earned international acclaim for his makeup skills.[15] To this date, he has posted pictures of his numerous makeup transformations through his Instagram account, transforming himself into the likes of Tyra Banks,[16] Caitlyn Jenner,[17] Angelina Jolie, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Stewart, Lucy Liu, Rihanna, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, Katy Perry, Madonna, Megan Fox[18] to a name of few, as well as local artists like Marian Rivera, Nora Aunor, and Vic Sotto.[19]

For the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival he impersonated two female celebrities. First one was Angelina Jolie (calling himself "Angelina Magdangal") during the red carpet and opening ceremony, in an Emerald Modern Filipiniana Fishtail black velvet terno gown, with typical squared sleeves, black opera gloves and black high heels.[20] On the awards night and following press conference he emulated Julia Roberts, wearing a gold sequin dress with white high heels and white opera gloves.[21]

Filmography

Television

Television
Year	Title	Role	Network
2001	Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin	Paul	GMA Network
2001–present	Eat Bulaga!	Himself/Co-Host
2002–03	Kahit Kailan	PJ
2005-06	Daddy Di Do Du	Paolo
2005	Love To Love	Eric (Episode: "Love-an O Bawi")
2006		Amando / Mandy (Episode: "Best Friends")
2007–08	Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan	Ida
2008	Dyesebel	Bukanding
2009	SRO Cinemaserye Presents: "Rowena Joy"	RJ
	Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang	Alfie
2010	The Last Prince	Diwani Anexi
	Claudine	Carlo (Episode: "Doble Cara" - June 26, 2010)
	Midnight DJ	Venus (Episode: "Dedbol in a Major Major Way")	TV5
	Face To Face	Himself
2011	I Heart You, Pare!	Vodka	GMA Network
	Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit	Aloha
2013	Kidlat	Walter / Warla	TV5
	The Ryzza Mae Show	Himself (Guest: "Birthday Special, Part 2" - June 14, 2013)	GMA Network
	Vampire Ang Daddy Ko	Andres Bonifacio / Andong "Dong" (Guest: November 30, 2013)
2014	Karugtong Ng Puso: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Reynaldo / Baldo
	Marian (TV program)	Himself/Co-Host (season 1)
2015	Biro Ng Kapalaran: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Obet
	Sabado Badoo	Himself Cameo Footage Featured
2016	Kaputol ng Buhay: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Lola Tidora
2018	Pamana	Paulito Nunal
2020	Bawal na Game Show	Barby Ghorl / Host	TV5
2021	Running Man Philippines	Himself / Host	GMA Network

Awards

Awards

Films
Year	Title	Role	Film Producer
2002	Pakisabi Nalang na mahal ko siya	Martin	Regal Films
2003	Anghel sa Lupa	Ariel
2004	Enteng Kabisote: Okay ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend	Fantastikman	OctoArts Films and M-Zet Productions
2006	Metlogs (Metrosexual Jologs)	Rodelio "Rodel" Dapulo	Grupong Sinehan Production
	Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes on and on and on	Pao	OctoArts Films and M-Zet Productions
2007	Xenoa	Zeus	Xion Films, Visual Camp, and Multimedia Arts
2008	Xenoa 2: Clash of the Bloods
2009	Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme	Cameo Role / Waiter	Spring Films, MJM Productions, Solar Films, and Star Cinema
2010	Pendong	Paulino	Oxin Films
2011	Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!	Anton	Star Cinema, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, and OctoArts Films
	Enteng Ng Ina Mo	Gay Lover	Star Cinema, M-Zet Productions, OctoArts Films, and APT Entertainment
2012	D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?!	Tweety	APT Entertainment and M-Zet Productions
2013	My Little Bossings	Alat	OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, and Kris Aquino Productions
2014	So It's You	L.A.	Regal Films
	My Big Bossing's Adventure	Alat	M-Zet Films, APT Entertainment, Octoarts
2015	My Bebe Love	Raymond	M-Zet Films, APT Entertainment, Octoarts Films, GMA Films, Meda Productions
2016	Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin	Señorito Bogz Lee Ginintuan	Viva Films, Heaven's Best Entertainment
	Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend?	Benj	Viva Films,
	Die Beautiful	Trisha	Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum, APT Entertainment, TheIdeaFirst Company, October Train Films
	Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers	Lola Tidora	Octo Arts Films, M-Zet TV Productions
2017	Trip Ubusan	Lola Tidora	APT Entertainment, M-Zet TV Productions
	Barbi D' Wonder Beki	Billy Bayagan / Beki	Octo Arts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, T-Rex Entertainment
2018	Amnesia Love[22]		Viva Films
2018	My 2 Mommies	Manu	Regal Films
2019	The Panti Sisters	Gabriel Panti	Black Sheep, Idea First Company, Quantum Films ALV Productions

Awards
Year	Award Giving Body	Work/Nominee	Award	Result
2002	16th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Daddy Di Do Du	Best New Male TV Personality	Won
2015	Eastwood City Walk of Fame	Himself	Walk of Fame Star Inductee[23]	Inducted
2016	USTv Students' Choice Awards	Eat Bulaga!: Kalyeserye (with Jose & Wally)	Special Recognition for Social Media Phenomenon[24]	Won
	47th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards	Himself with Jose & Wally	Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award[25]	Won
	Platinum Stallion Media Awards	Eat Bulaga!: Kalyeserye	Trinitian Awardee for Values-Oriented TV Character[26]	Won
	29th Tokyo International Film Festival	Die Beautiful	Best Actor[27]	Won
	21st International Film Festival of Kerala		Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance[28]	Won
	42nd Metro Manila Film Festival		Best Actor[29][30]	Won
2017	Film Development Council of the Philippines		Film Ambassador Award[31]	Won
	Gawad A.N.A.K	Himself	Ang Natatanging Anak Kabanatuan[32]	Won
	15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards	Die Beautiful	Best Actor[33]	Won
	Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students		Best Actor[32]	Won
	Gawad Bedista Awards		Actor of the Year for Film[34]	Won
	9th Ani ng Dangal Awards		Ani ng Dangal Awardee[35]	Won
	48th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards		Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist (Tokyo Best Actor)[36]	Won
	1st Eddys Awards (Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards for Movies)		Best Actor[37]	Won
	40th Gawad Urian Awards		Gawad Urian for Best Actor[38]	Won
2018	3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television	Himself	Most Innovative TV Personality[39]	Won
	5th Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards	Die Beautiful	Best Actor[40]	Won

References

1. "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: From Makeup Transformation to International Best Actor". youtube.com. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. November 14, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
2. Ligunas, Mary Louise (December 31, 2016). "Ex-girlfriend on Paolo Ballesteros: Best actor, best daddy, best friend". GMA News. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
3. "LOOK: Paolo Ballesteros comes out, shares photo with partner". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
4. Siazon, Rachelle (April 16, 2017). "Who is Roland Ochoa Anog in Paolo Ballesteros's life?". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
5. "Is Paolo Ballesteros in a relationship with Sebastian Castro". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
6. "Have Paolo Ballesteros and Seb Castro broken up?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
7. "Paolo Ballesteros's alleged reason of keeping his relationship quiet with rumored bf Sebastian Castro". NewsFeed. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
8. "Paolo Ballesteros and Sebastian Castro end their 3 month relationship". PageOne. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
9. "Paolo Ballesteros posts photo of him with nonshowbiz guy". GMA News. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
10. "Paolo Ballesteros officially comes out: "I'm a lady!"". showbizchika.net. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
11. "Paolo Ballesteros proudly admits "I'm a lady"". pep.ph. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
12. "Paolo Ballesteros says his daughter knows he is gay". pep.ph. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
13. "Paolo Ballesteros suspended from Eat Bulaga for six months?". Philippine Entertainment Portal. March 17, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
14. "Paolo Ballesteros back on 'Eat Bulaga'". Manila Bulletin. September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
15. "Paolo Ballesteros: 12 wild makeup transformation moments". Rappler. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
16. "Tyra praises Paolo Ballesteros' makeup transformation". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
17. Orofino, Emily. "He Did It Again! A Man Transforms Into Caitlyn Jenner With Makeup". Popsugar.com. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
18. Peterson, Jessie. "See One Guy Transform Himself Into 16 Celebrities With Makeup". MTV.com. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
19. "LOOK: Vic Sotto, first male celebrity makeup transformation ni Paolo Ballesteros". GMA News. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovOrHu1pHms
21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BQaVuf4G9k
22. Abanilla, Clarizel (September 1, 2017). "Paolo Ballesteros, Yam Concepcion star in new movie 'Amnesia Love'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Event occurs at 12:11 PM. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
23. "Kalyeserye stars, Kapuso personalities get stars in PHL Walk of Fame". GMA News. GMA Network. December 1, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
24. "Ilang programa ng GMA Network, pinarangalan sa 12th USTV Students' Choice Awards". GMA News. GMA Network. April 22, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
25. Calderon, Nora V. (February 21, 2016). "John Lloyd, Bea, Vice, Coco, Vic, Ai-Ai lead winners at the Box Office Entertainment Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
26. "GMA Network Inc wins big at the Platinum Stallion Awards". GMA Network. January 27, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
27. "Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor in Tokyo International Film Festival". GMA News. GMA Network. November 3, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
28. "Paolo Ballesteros wins another int'l award for 'Die Beautiful'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 19, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
29. "MMFF 2016 winners revealed: Paolo Ballesteros, Irma Adlawan named Best Actor and Best Actress". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
30. "FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2016 Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
31. "FDCP honors film ambassadors". BusinessWorld. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
32. "Paolo nakatanggap ng 4 bagong award para sa 'Die Beautiful'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Bandera. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
33. "Charo Santos, Jaclyn Jose, Paolo Ballesteros at Allen Dizon, big winners at the 15thGawad Tanglaw". push.abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
34. "Paolo recently won the Actor of the Year award in the Gawad Bedista". GMA Network. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
35. "Jaclyn Jose, Paolo Ballesteros, Barbie Forteza, and Therese Malvar to be honored at the 9th Ani ng Dangal Awards". GMA Network. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
36. Aquino, Anne Charmaine (April 23, 2017). "Kapuso program and stars, wagi sa 48th Box Office Entertainment Awards". GMA Network, Inc. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
37. Policarpio, Allan (July 12, 2017). "Vilma, Paolo top entertainment editors' choices". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
38. "FULL LIST: Winners, Gawad Urian Awards 2017". Rappler. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
39. "Ilang Kapuso personalities at programs, wagi sa 3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for TV". GMA News. January 9, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
40. "Mga Kapuso, wagi sa 5th Holy Angel University Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards". GMA News. March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.

External links

• Paolo Ballesteros on Twitter
• Paolo Ballesteros at IMDb