Paolo finally opens up!

As I’ve been saying, the sex video (actually, two versions so far) that has gone viral may have given the world an intimate look at Paolo Bediones’ “inner” self but I sincerely believe that it did not diminish his worth as a media person. It’s true: it’s an indiscretion (done long before he moved from GMA to TV5, a “sin” that many men must have committed as part of growing-up adventurism) that may haunt Paolo for a time but not for the rest of his life and it won’t define him as a person; what will is his body of work not just as a TV host but also as spokesperson for social concerns (such as psoriasis which he’s afflicted with and taking care of the environment).

Neither do I believe nor want to dignify the ridiculous rumor that it was Paolo himself who uploaded the sex videos to dispel any rumor about his sexuality, something that boggles the mind because why would an intelligent person like Paolo do it at such a great cost? He’s not stupid, and neither is any of the men similarly video-taped in such a compromising/incriminating situation/position.

Anyway, after a long silence and after Paolo (one of PeopleAsia’s Men Who Matter winners for this year) quietly disappeared as co-host (of Sheryl Cosim) of the TV5 late-night newscast, Funfare bumped into him at a mall and, after a moment of reluctance, agreed to be ambush-interviewed so that certain issues could be put in the right perspective.

This was how our interview went:

So how are you so far?

“I guess you could say that I’m trying to be okay. I’m keeping myself busy. I’m attending to the three restaurants that are set to open soon. One is a resto-pub called Puñta, the Pampanga delicatessen called Balé and the beer place called Hoolala. I am also training with the Philippines Air Force to be an officer of the Reserve Corps, which is part of Rescue5 (a TV5 public-service show).”

Of course, you were shocked when you learned that the sex video had gone viral…

“As much as possible I don’t want to comment on it. It’s still very fresh and it still stings a lot. That much I can say right now,” adding as an afterthought, “what else can anyone expect in a situation like that? I guess it felt like the whole world crumbled on you. But even if at a certain point parang tumigil ang mundo mo, the reality is that the world will keep on turning.

“The question is, ‘Do you want to stop and let the whole world get ahead of you? Or do you want to stay on the bus and try to survive the bumpy ride?’ I have chosen to do the latter — try to survive the bumpy ride. What can you do? Life must go on.”

What’s the best lesson that you learned from it all?

“Well, let me put it this way: I don’t want it to happen to anyone else. For one, sana mahuli whoever is behind it and made to answer the crime so that people will know that what was done is really a crime. As I said, I don’t wish it to happen to anyone. People must be imagining what I’ve been through but they’ll never know how painful the experience is.”

It’s the first time Paolo is talking about the issue and he wishes to thank people who have expressed their support, his fans, people in the industry, friends in the media, advertisers and, of course, his family.

He added, “I thank even the bashers because at the end of the day the more they bash me, the more I feel the love of other people who are sympathetic to me. I realized that I have taken for granted how much some people love and care for me and now I really appreciate it.”

By the way, Paolo begged off from making any comment on anything that has to do with his work at TV5 (such as his resignation as host of the newscast which was reported in this corner last Saturday) and referred me to the TV5 management for any statement or whatever. Meanwhile, Paolo continues to host some shows: Demolition Job and Yaman ng Bayan (which is about environmental concerns), airing on Saturday handled by different hosts.

“Yaman is part of my advocacy to make people aware of our natural resources especially in the karagatan area,” explained Paolo. “I will have another show before the year ends.”

Paolo is in touch with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an effort to pinpoint, and eventually arrest whoever uploaded the sex video on social media and file the necessary charges against him (or them).

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Ai-Ai is a Binay Loyalist

Not many people know that for 20 years now, Ai-Ai delas Alas has been a Marian devotee (just like Ormoc City Rep. Lucy Torres) and she celebrates Mama Mary’s birthday by sponsoring a special Mass every year on Sept. 8, the Feast of Our Lady of Nativity.

Monday night, while the residents of Las Navas, Borongan City and Calbayog City (all in the three Samar provinces) were winding up their own fiesta celebration, Ai-Ai invited friends to attend a Mass in celebration of Mama Mary’s birthday at the Club House of the exclusive subdivision in Quezon City a few blocks away from where she and her children live.

Besides Marian Rivera, among Ai-Ai’s special guests was Vice Pres. Jojo Binay. After the Mass celebrated by a bishop and three priests, Ai-Ai made a special mention of Vice Jojo during her thank-you speech, addressing him as “Our president in 2016,” acknowledging Vice Jojo with a nod before adding, “Talo o panalo, ikaw ang aking pangulo.” Applause!!!

There’s a certain sparkle in Ai-Ai’s eyes these days and friends are guessing that she must be in love again. I know something but I won’t preempt Ai-Ai and just wait for her to tell the world about it during her birthday bash a few more weeks from now.

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