Paolo sheds his bold image

Like his idol, Christopher de Leon, those eyes speak volumes when the cameras start grinding and the director shouts, "Action!" Like Christopher in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, he earned his first Best Actor nomination after making his film debut in Live Show.

No wonder Paolo Rivero’s manager, Manny Valera, is beaming with pride for his prized talent, who surprised even himself upon learning that the Gawad Urian nominated him Best Actor for Jose Javier Reyes’ Live Show. (The winners will be known this Saturday at Araneta Coliseum.)

The sexy actor is understandably on Cloud Nine.

"Being ranked with the likes of Joel Torre and Ricky Davao (Best Actor nominees both) is good enough," Paolo says.

Paolo started out as a front desk clerk in the family-owned Bataan Hilltop Hotel after graduating from a medical technology course at Far Eastern University.

"My parents wanted me to become a doctor like my uncle," recalls Paolo over a plateful of pasta, which he calls his lunch at a little past 3 p.m.

But deep inside, he knew what he wanted was to sing and dance, the way he did as a member of the school choir and glee club.

"I told my mom (who comes from a political clan in Bataan) I’d go on stage to sing and dance someday," Paolo recalls.

The wish became a reality when one of talent manager Jojo Veloso’s staff happened to drop by Bataan Hilltop one day and spotted the good-looking clerk manning the reception area.

"He asked me if I was part of the movie they were shooting that time," recalls Paolo. "And I said no. Then, he gave me his (calling) card, and told me to look him up in Manila."

The rest, as they say, is history. The very next day, Paolo packed his bags and looked for the guy who would serve as his passport to showbiz.

Talk about perfect timing. As fate would have it, director Jose Javier Reyes was then looking for someone to replace Carlos Morales for Live Show, the bold film that would stir a controversy and lead to the resignation of then Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chair Nicanor Tiongson.

One look at him and the highly-respected director was impressed.

"I had immediate confidence in Paolo as soon as I took his first shot in Live Show. He’s so natural! You know right away that he has great potential," Reyes raved.

It must be Paolo’s eyes; intense, smoldering. "They say they do the acting for me," he relates.

But after doing a string of sexy films with the likes of Halina Perez, Aya Medel and Allona Amor, Paolo admits public perception is not exactly flattering.

"People think I have a shady background (he does not; his family is into business and politics) just because I’m doing those sexy scenes. It’s a misconception," he rues.

Because of this, Paolo is no stranger to indecent proposals. But, contrary to his sexy image, he simply ignores them all.

"I know how to handle them. I just tell the girl that we might as well be friends," reveals Paolo.

The intense actor in him refuses to be boxed in sexy roles for the rest of his career. "I want to make action and drama films," Paolo relates. "Character roles are great!" And so, on May 17, he starts shooting for his role as a villain in Prosti, directed by Erik Matti for Regal Films. Co-starring with Paolo is fellow Manny Valera talent Jay Manalo and newcomer Aubrey Miles, who will be launched in the movie.

Immediately after this comes Balangiga Massacre with Gil Portes directing. Paolo will also be in Bonifacio with Rey Malonzo.

On TV, Paolo will start taping Hawak Ko Ang Lahat, a new soap starring Assunta de Rossi, Jomari Yllana and Jao Mapa, and directed by Gina Alajar. It will replace Bagong Sibol on GMA-7.

"I am now choosy with roles. I won’t accept one just for the heck of it. In fact, I turned down a stage play because all it required me to do was parade in bikinis!" says Paolo.

Slowly, the talented young man from Bataan is reaching for the stars. The best thing about it is, Paolo Rivero doesn’t mind paying a price for his dreams. He plans to study hard (e.g. take acting workshops) and wait patiently along the way.

"When I want something, I make sure I do everything to get it," Paolo shows his determination as an actor.

The dedicated artist in him demands nothing less.