Paolo shows versatility again in The Promise

“Well, yes,” replied Paolo Contis when asked if his recent Kapuso drama anthology I Can See You: The Promise was a good follow-up or continuation of the work he did in Through Night and Day in a virtual media call. In the film, which is still being streamed on Netflix, he portrays a devoted, compassionate boyfriend named Ben to Alessandra de Rossi’s Jen.

“When the script was sent to me, akala ko nga mali yung pinadala (I thought a wrong script was sent to me or it was just a case of a ‘missent’ script),” the comedian added. “Bat ako ‘to? Natakot ako. I think the success of Through Night and Day played a big part in why I got included in this project (I Can See You: The Promise). Like in everything that I do, I try my best to deliver. It’s my goal.”

Paolo, a true acting trooper, shows that he can cross over from comedy to drama and definitely vice-versa. In I Can See You: The Promise, he has well situated his character Frank in the narrative by showing the emotional challenges one goes through when dealing with the loss of a loved one. Frank’s wife Clarisse (played by Yasmien Kurdi) inhabits (possesses) the body of Ivy (Andrea Torres), girlfriend of Jude (Benjamin Alves). This psychological-supernatural element creates conflict and other turning points in the drama-romance story. “(The Promise) is also about moving on,” said Paolo. “Maraming dumaraan na tao sa buhay natin (Many people come into our lives). (But) we must move on when they go or (when they) are gone.”

Paolo Contis considers comedy his comfort zone, but he defi nitely delivers also in drama.

Following the thoughts of Paolo, one may think that as much as some people can do good things in the name of love, they can also do the extreme or the strange. But the actor was quick to share that The Promise characters are good people, but their judgment may be clouded sometimes as another person may put it.

With his craft, Paolo is always committed to whatever project or role his network presents him. “I’m very thankful to GMA that they (the management people behind it) always consider me in (their future projects).” He also said that “Malaking bagay yon na na-appreciate ako (It’s a big thing for me that I get appreciated for what I’m doing). During this time (of the pandemic), I’m happy that people have watched (Through Night and Day) at napansin ako. It’s a big reward for my work.”

Like all actors out there, Paolo cannot resist a good, compelling story. If ever another right one comes along, he will try his hand at drama again. “Kwento pa rin (It all boils down to story),” he said. “Siguro kahit sino man ang naalok ng Through Night and Day, hindi ito tatanggihan.” Although he welcomes every work opportunity that lands in his lap, Paolo said that “there are roles that I’m not comfortable doing.”

Looking at the way his showbiz career has gone so far, one can say that Paolo considers comedy his comfort zone, but he definitely delivers also in drama.

(I Can See You: The Promise airs its final episode tonight at 9:15 on GMA Telebabad. The I Can See You: High-Rise Lovers, on the other hand, will premiere on Oct. 12. It stars Winwyn Marquez, Lovi Poe, Tom Rodriguez, Teresa Loyzaga and Tetay Ocampo.)