Paolo sees lockdown as a blessing in disguise

MANILA, Philippines — If there’s one lesson that Paolo Contis has learned from this pandemic, it will be seeing the good in the bad situation.

The Kapuso comedian, who was preoccupied with work like other celebrities prior to COVID-19, felt that the imposed lockdown is a “blessing in disguise,” which allowed him to spend quality time with his family and to witness the first milestones of his and partner LJ Reyes’ one-year-old daughter Summer Ayanna.

“We are lucky that we’re here together sa mga milestones ni Summer. At nababantayan namin talaga nang mabuti si Summer at Aki,” said Paolo via Zoom. Aki is LJ’s son with Paulo Avelino.

Paolo revealed that their most favorite activities during lockdown are Netflix binge-watching and the afternoon strolling around their village.

“Lately kasi si Summer, gusto nang magmaneho, yung gusto niyang umalis ba…so ever since nun, meron siyang time for broom broom, so lalabas kami ng bahay, iikot ng isang kalye para lang mabigay mo yung simple joys ba nung bata na nakaalis siya. And then eventually it became a family thing. Dapat kumpleto kami, apat kami, iikot kami. Medyo pathetic pero masaya,” shared Paolo.

Being in home isolation for nearly three months made Paolo accustomed to the situation and simply embrace the new normal.

“Although I can’t help but worry, medyo nasasanay na rin ako sa nangyayari. I’m almost at the point of accepting that this is the reality… na ito na yung buhay,” said Paolo, who despite the lockdown, has kept himself busy and visible in the virtual world via the Kapuso online shows YouLOL and Just In.

“It’s something na busy ako dun, and in the online edition of All-Out Sundays. I am busy planning for the coming shoots. I will also be uploading a content on my YouTube account soon.”

YouLOL features hilarious content and bite-size highlights from Bubble Gang stars Michael V., Paolo, Kim Domingo, Sef Cadayona, Faye Lorenzo, Analyn Barro, Betong Sumaya, Archie Alemania and Valeen Montenegro.

Just In: An Online Kumustahan with your Favorite TV Personalities, meanwhile, is a 20-minute online show every Wednesday, which is hosted alternately by Paolo and Vaness del Moral. The show streamed simultaneously on GMA Artist Center’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, features a fun interview session with a new guest every week. Last May 20 and June 3, Paolo was joined by his friend Baron Geisler and the TGIS Batch 3, respectively. Meanwhile, Vaness was joined by GMA News Pillar Arnold Clavio last May 27.

Paolo said hosting has become a familiar territory to him after he became one of the hosts of GMA’s Sunday variety show All-Out Sundays (AOS).

“Nag-ho-host naman ako ng ibang mga projects but this is the first time that I do it alone,” explained Paolo.

Aside from hosting GMAAC’s online show Just In, Paolo Contis’ best lockdown moments include spending quality time with his family — partner LJ Reyes and children Aki and Summer Ayanna.

“This is really a fun show. To begin with, we did not intend na magpa-deep eh. I just want the viewers to enjoy sa kumustahan namin. The point of this show it to share good vibes and happiness to them. There’s no pressure to teach anything to the audience basta gusto ko lang sila mapasaya and I’m enjoying it naman. I hope the viewers enjoyed it, too.”