Aljur & Paulo look back

It’s a nice feeling to bring back memories especially the ones that make you smile while recounting them to others. Those who tuned in to Tonight With Boy Abunda a few days ago still probably remember Paulo Avelino and Aljur Abrenica having fun reminiscing their StarStruck days. Both were in the same batch which got them to becoming rivals for a while and friends until now.

Looking back, Aljur revealed that he knew Paulo would be his toughest competition the first time they saw each other. He said, “When I saw Pau, wow this guy’s dashing. Paulo is handsome even before. Kumbaga, sa competition, ito ‘yung makakalaban ko.”

Paulo felt the same. He reckoned Aljur’s singing talent got him miles ahead in the auditions. “(He’s) talented. I often saw him singing during the auditions; nakikita ko ang galing kumanta nito sana napunta na lang sa kin ‘yung talent n’ya sa pagkanta.”

Aljur added, “I remember how my aunts so admired Paulo. Crush na crush nila si Paulo for his good looks and charming smile.”

The two never denied about the rumors linking them romantically to each other. That was years ago but the issue nevertheless made Paulo and Aljur smile.

“I don’t want to remember anymore, hahaha, naka-move on na kami,” Paulo said.

“They said I looked soft na mukhang totoo naman (laughs) but everyone in the batch became close at na-misinterpret lang ng mga tao,” Paulo ruminated.

And 11 years later, no one had ever imagined that Paulo and Aljur will be seated side by side doing an interview as among the formidable actors in the Kapamilya network. Paulo caught the public attention for his impressive acting in film and on TV. Just recently, Olivier and Tony Best Actress Lea Salonga was all praises for his acting in Ang Larawan, one of the entries in the just-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. She posted on her Twitter, “If you’re a fan of Paulo, I urge you to watch his stellar performance in Ang Larawan. He doesn’t sing as well as the others, but his acting! He will be one of the greatest as he continues to grow!!! Congrats!!!”

Asked to comment, Paulo admitted to feeling good whenever he receives compliments for his acting. More so now that it came from a Broadway star. With much appreciation and humility, Paulo said, “It’s good to hear praises, especially coming from well-renowned artists. But I don’t get easily swayed by compliments because as much as I am thankful or grateful, one of my problems as an actor is that I don’t content myself with my previous work. I always think I could have done it better.

“The messages that I have read help boost my confidence, or like what I tweeted or replied back to Lea, to tackle more challenging roles and to look for films where I can do more.”

Aljur, on the other hand, had already appeared in such shows as FPJ’s Ang Panday and Wansapanataym. Beginning this week, he and Paulo are starring in the new revenge drama series Asintado with Shaina Magdayao and Julia Montes.

The two actors, everybody knows, are already dads. Paulo has a seven-year-old son with LJ Reyes while Aljur has Alas with Kylie Padilla. Reports have it that Kylie’s dad, Robin Padilla, wants Aljur and Kylie to get married.

Aljur, for his part, said that he understands that any father only wants what is best for his child.

“Even my dad said that any father would want what is good for his child which is to have a good family. In regards to wedding, Kylie and I have been talking about it and we are taking our decision step by step. Every decision we will make is always for the good of our son Alas.

“Whenever we talk about marriage, it always ends up with our priority and our priority is Alas. I love Kylie no doubt about it at kung anuman handa ako d’yan.”