When showbiz beckons for Paulo Varela

It looks like you'll be getting more of Jose Juan Paulo Varela than hearing him launching spiels over the airwaves as the wacky and engaging radio jock Paulo "Pee Wee" Walker. Pau, as he's fondly called by friends and family, is making headway in the vast realm of national show business.

Pau is not at all a stranger to the cameras, for the Monster Radio DJ is also the dynamic host of "Island Hopping," a travel show on Cebu CH 28, where he gets to explore different islands, meet people and promote tourism.

Opportunities like this actually came early in his life even before he finished school and obtained a degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines-Cebu. The stint that created the most noise was his being one of the finalists of the long-running sports-oriented program "Gameplan." Although he didn't nail "Gameplan," there's no dearth of opportunities for this guy to prove his talents. Studio 23 has tapped him to be a segment host for its variety-party show "E-Club," hosted by ABS-CBN celebs Rafael Rosell and Kat Alano.

He's also assured of a role in an indie flick bearing a similar concept to the digital film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros." Pau auditioned for a major part against other four males from Manila. Although the production schedule has been moved, Pau's gut feel tells him he got the spot especially as the casting in-charge told him of his big chances.

Since he is still based here in Cebu, show business is certainly no easy venture for him to take. With regards to his lifestyle, he shares that a lot has changed. And a lot has have bumped him hard, like not having to see his family as frequently as he wants, despite the fact that they live in the same house. Still and all, what makes him happy is knowing that he makes his family proud of him with his achievements.

Familial support is what moves him to press on forward despite criticisms from several quarters who are either misunderstanding him or belittling his skills. In Manila, for one, he has been on the receiving end of other people's open reservations about his hosting abilities.

But then as soon as they would discover how utterly professional he is, they couldn't help but comment: "Pare, marunong ka pala."

Based on what he has so far experienced in the entertainment capital, Pau says things are very much different from what he has been used to here. Things there are done in a fast-paced and precise manner. Thankfully, Pau has is used to the so-called "cowboy style" that he hardly complains and make demands. He admits that he is "cheaper" compared to Manila-based talents because he works on his own. Even in the absence of a manager, he knows how to market himself to network bigwigs.

Just recently, he met some ABS-CBN executives who have urged him to audition for the upcoming season of "Pinoy Big Brother" this June. Paulo, however, has directed his sights on something else, but readily admits that he's quite amused at the thought that they wanted him to be a housemate on the widely popular reality TV show. He maintains that all he really wants to do is host good events and shows.

Despite his growing popularity, Pau still has his feet kept firmly on the ground. He goes out of his way making friends; one way of proving to people that he's no snob because he's never been one! He stresses the importance of keeping things low key, concerned as he is of not turning into someone who blows his own horn.

If he wasn't in this field, Pau shares that he might have decided to bum around or better yet, proceed to law school. There's no denying that he's quite taken with how things are going. And why not? His work didn't only boost his self-esteem and tested his limits, it also allowed him to provide for his family and make them beam with pride for what he has so far accomplished.

Paulo has this to say for those who'd like to trudge up the steps he had taken: "It's not always smiles, rainbows and clear skies but keep on going though." To have his kind of lifestyle, he reveals, is like having 80% of your personal life erased. Yes, he'd like to go out on dates, among others, but obligations to attend to are eating up his social life. He jokingly says, "When you want to enter showbiz, [there's] no love life!"

His main objective now once he returns to Manila is to make things happen. By making the most of his talents, he hopes to find a place for himself and his southern roots in the industry.