Paulo Avelino, this writer wants to affirm and believe, we share a connection. Not the romantic and rainbow kind of way, silly you. A fondness and kinship of sorts, I dare say. When we meet, accidental, coincidental or planned, I feel he exerts extra efforts to ensure that the once in a blue moon meetings, will make lasting impact.
To illustrate, in a posh mall, walking by my lonesome, in a hurried pace as I was late for a meeting. From my periphery, a familiar figure loomed and before I knew it, Paulo was in front of me. He went out of his security cordon so that we can exchange pleasantries. That made day!
One time, in a set visit for a film wherein he was co-producer, after the interview and we have to pose for posterity, “The last time I saw you was a year ago, in Cinemalaya, ang tagal na,” Avelino remembered
Just recently, in the Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral press conference, he was the center of the universe. He mingled, conversed and posed with everyone who wanted a slice or piece of him.
As he walked toward the door to leave the venue, Avelino saw this Manila Standard columnist. He immediately went to where I was, did not mind the women who formed a circle to protect him and to my bewilderment and kilig, gave me a tight embrace.
My photo moment with him, when I placed my hand on his stomach just like I did before, he was cool, no ill-at-ease vibe. He whispered, “Para akong ikakasal dahil sa suot ko.” He wore an ecru hued blazer over white polo and formal pants.
His inquiry, “Masarap ba ang food dito? Parang mas masarap ang pagkain dito kaysa sa holding area namin.”
He was so comfortable with me. It felt like I was in the company of a good old friend who did not mind the exchange of embraces and hugs, my hand being on his belly is as normal as normal can be. Are we all set to share a bromosexual relationship, the platonic relationship that happens between a straight and gay man?
“Being a Filipino, it is important to me that our history is remembered,” Avelino declared during the media con. “Importante na paulit-ulit ipaalaala sa atin itong mga istorya natin para makita natin ang mga pagkakamali natin at maitama natin sa ngayon.”
His desire is for the majority who embrace the film’s statement. “Tandaan mo kung sino ka,” this was the actor’s reminder to all, as Goyo. What is most important is, “Ang kalooban at kaibuturan.”
With regard to the film’s box office outcome, “My biggest pressure right now, I want the film to do extremely well at the box office para di sila mahirapan sa funds or kumuha ng magpo-produce for the next film,” he stated.
He expressed a lament, “Not being able to do the film I want to do because of so many restrictions. I want to do films and other projects at my own pace. Hindi yung kailangan kong gumawa ng pelikula dahil kailangan kong gumawa ng blockbuster hit. Parang hindi lang para mag-grow ako as a person, but also to help the film industry or the people in the industry.”
He expounded. “What should you prioritize in your life? Coming from Goyo, I get to realize, and I’m sure a lot of you will realize na maiksi ang buhay. Why do we keep doing things… parang we can’t be distracted from what we really need to do or what we have to do, parang the bigger responsibilities in life.”
In conclusion, Avelino said, “It was not easy to be Goyo. I just hope more people get to watch it so that more minds and hearts will be opened, especially the lessons from the lives of our heroes. History has a peculiar way of repeating itself. We should not forget the lessons from the past.”
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral will screen in cinemas nationwide starting Sept. 5.