What to expect from Paulo Avelino’s ‘surprise role’ in Phl’s Flower of Evil

MANILA, Philippines — Even in his simple black Flower of Evil shirt and jeans, Paulo Avelino still looked charismatic when he sat down with The STAR for an exclusive face-to-face chat at the ABS-CBN Building in Quezon City last week. He talked about his role in the Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s hit thriller-drama, Flower of Evil.

Viewers were caught by surprise when he was introduced as the “real Jacob del Rosario” — the identity used by Piolo Pascual’s character (a.k.a. Daniel Villareal) — a mysterious individual who is in a coma inside a secret room in the home of his wealthy parents.

“Things will start to unfold little by little, ‘pag nakikita na kung ano talaga ang nangyari kay Jacob at kay Daniel,” began Paulo. Since the character is crucial in the series, the production team intentionally concealed his inclusion at first, he surmised.

To prepare for his complex character, he underwent an acting workshop with veteran actor Nonie Buencamino. “He helped us fine-tune our characters and para maging iba rin sa Korean version.”

“This is a different version from the original Korean series of Flower of Evil,” he said on what to expect from the characters. “This is totally different. If the (viewers) can notice, medyo iba and medyo naging Pinoy yung pagkagawa dito sa Flower of Evil PH. Another thing is, kakaiba rin yung mga characters at kung paano hinulma para bumagay sa Philippine adaptation.”

Although this is not his first time to play a villain, Paulo noted that this one is different. “Siguro maiiwan na lang natin sa mga viewers natin para makita kung ano yung kakaiba or pagkakaiba (from my previous roles).”

The reason why he accepted the project was because of the “beautiful cast” and the “challenge” of playing “Jacob.” He shared, “When Flower of Evil was pitched to me, nakikita ko s’ya dati pero hindi po talaga ako mahilig manood ng Korean series, although I watched a lot of their movies. When they explained the character, parang andun yung challenging na part dahil it’s parang you could always play the bida or kontrabida, but it’s how you make it different from what you’ve done before.”

Paulo during the in-person exclusive interview with The STAR.

Regardless of the role he portrays, may it be an antagonist or a protagonist, he “enjoys doing both.” “Kung ano yung bago or kakaiba or kung minsan ano yung kailangan (for a project). I don’t want to box myself kung bida lang. Sometimes, as an actor, you don’t base your choices sa pagiging bida or kontrabida. Sometimes, it’s also about the character and the substance that you can offer to the show,” said he.

Paulo also had “fun” working with his co-stars Piolo and Lovi Poe. “I’ve worked with her (Lovi) in a lot of films before. Si Papa Pi, nakasama ko siya for ASAP and other stuff, but this (is) the first time (I’m) working with him in a series. Actually, pati si Lovi, first time ko pong makasama sa serye and it’s fun.”

“Medyo detached yung kami habang nag-sho-shoot dahil kadalasan nasa ibang unit sila and yung mga scenes ko hindi naman nagkita-kita hanggang sa bandang dulo na po siguro, but I enjoyed working with them on- and off-cam,” added he.

Nevertheless, he described the two stars as “great persons” and “great actors.” “I wouldn’t say no to another project with them,” said he.

Flower of Evil follows the story of Jacob (Piolo), who has a dark past and tries to hide his identity. He gets married later and starts a family with his wife, Iris (Lovi), a police detective. Iris and her team begin to investigate a series of unexplained murders which leads to the discovery of her husband’s identity.

Asked for any similarities or differences between his character as Jacob and himself as Paulo, “Parang lahat po (laughs). Nasa dark side po talaga si ‘Jacob del Rosario’ because of a lot of circumstances. Siguro kung merong similarity it’s… (long pause)... parang wala po talaga.”

Without giving specific details, Paulo said there are some things in life he will consider as his “dark past,” “Siguro lahat naman tayo meron tayong mga pinagsisisihan or gusto nating baguhin sa nakaraan natin, but yeah sometimes, you just learn to accept everything.”

Last June, Paulo’s romance-drama starrer, Ngayon Kaya, opposite rumored girlfriend Janine Gutierrez, premiered in cinemas. Aside from being the lead actor, Paulo was also the co-producer of the film under his own production outfit WASD Films, which co-executive produced with T-Rex Entertainment.

“Working with Janine, very… no stress at all. I’ve worked with her in Marry Me, Marry You for the series and Ngayon Kaya for a film, which we shot first. But yeah, she’s a great actress and parang I can’t say anything wrong or bad about her and her professionalism in the craft,” he said.

“Professionally, no problem at all,” Paulo responded when asked to describe his relationship with Janine. “Kasi walang nagiging problema sa set, lagi ko lang siyang inaasar na late, pero hindi naman siya… it’s not something that would cause delays or anything (laughs). She’s very professional and she is a good actress.”

He also shared that trying his hand at directing has “always been at the back of my mind,” but for now, “I feel like directing is a different ball game. Maybe not for now, because first, it would take a lot of time and maraming kailangang ayusin, pero hopefully, if ever I get to direct something in the future, it would be something I would be proud of.”

Aside from showbiz, Paulo has likewise invested in a gaming company. “It’s nice also to start working outside showbiz that you get to work in a young industry with so much potential and so much talent as well, but hand in hand naman,” he said.

Moreover, given the successful series and movies he has done, he still considers himself a “striving actor.”

“I actually couldn’t say (that I am at my peak), but I’m happy and I’m blessed that I have work. In terms siguro of career, parang there is always that urge for us to keep striving and I feel like I’m still striving at this point,” he stated with a laugh.

On the genre that he wants to explore further, he answered, “I don’t have specifics kung ano ang gusto kong gawin or i-portray. Ang gusto ko lang laging bago, new experience, new character,” and that is what excites him the most.

(Watch Flower of Evil on Viu every Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., and on Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, and A2Z every Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.)