Paolo Ballesteros

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Macapagaland the surname or paternal family name is Ballesteros.

Paolo Ballesteros
Ballesteros in 2024
Born	Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV (1982-11-29) November 29, 1982 (age 42) Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Other names	Mama Pao, Pochoy, P4
Occupation(s)	Actor, TV host, model, comedian, product endorser, drag queen
Years active	2001–present
Children	1
Relatives	Eula Valdez (aunt) [1] Fernando Amorsolo (great-grandfather) [2] Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo (grandaunt) Pablo Amorsolo (great-granduncle)

Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV (born November 29, 1982) is a Filipino actor, comedian and drag queen. He has appeared in films and several TV shows, he is one of the co-hosts of longtime noontime show Eat Bulaga! since 2001, and he is the host of Drag Race Philippines and Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale .

Career

In March of 2016, Ballesteros was reportedly suspended from Eat Bulaga! for six months because of several rants which he posted on his Facebook account; in the post, he discussed his personal grievances with the live-show setup, organization, filming process, and catering services. ^[3] During his six-month suspension period, Ballesteros took roles in Die Beautiful and Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? , and he returned to Eat Bulaga! on September 5, 2016. ^[4] He received a nomination as best actor for his role in Die Beautiful at the 29th Annual Tokyo International Film Festival.

In 2022, he was chosen to be the host of Drag Race Philippines with recurring judges Jiggly Caliente and Kaladkaren Davila. ^[5]

Impersonation and makeup transformation

Ballesteros is known for his various impersonation of female and male artists, and he has earned international acclaim for his makeup skills. ^[6] He has posted pictures of his numerous makeup transformations through his Instagram account, transforming himself into Hollywood celebrities, ^[7] as well as local artists. ^[8]

For the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, he impersonated two female celebrities, the first being Angelina Jolie (calling himself Angelina Magdangal, a play on Filipina actress Jolina Magdangal) during the red carpet and opening ceremony, in an Emerald Modern Filipiniana Fishtail black velvet terno gown, with typical squared sleeves, black opera gloves and black high heels. ^[9] On the awards night and following press conference, he emulated Julia Roberts, wearing a gold sequin dress with white high heels and white opera gloves. ^[10]

Personal life

Ballesteros is related to Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo, who is his great-grandfather, and fellow celebrity Eula Valdez, who is his aunt. ^[11]

He was romantically involved with Katrina Nevada, with whom he has a daughter, Keira Claire. ^[12]

In August 2019, during a press conference for the film The Panti Sisters , Ballesteros came out as gay after years of speculation on his sexuality. ^{[13] [14]}

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
2002	Pakisabi Na Lang... Mahal Ko Siya	Martin
2003	Anghel sa Lupa	Ariel
2004	Enteng Kabisote: Okay ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend	Fantastikman
2006	Metlogs (Metrosexual Jologs)	Rodelio "Rodel" Dapulo
	Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes on and on and on	Pao
2007	Xenoa	Zeus
2008	Xenoa 2: Clash of the Bloods
2009	Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme	Waiter (cameo)
2010	Pendong	Paulino
2011	Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!	Anton
	Enteng Ng Ina Mo	Gay Lover
2012	D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?!	Tweety
2013	My Little Bossings	Alat
2014	So It's You	L.A.
	My Big Bossing's Adventure	Alat
2015	My Bebe Love	Raymond
2016	Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin	Señorito Bogz Lee Ginintuan
	Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend?	Benj
	Die Beautiful	Trisha Echevarria / Patrick Villar
	Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers	Lola Tidora
2017	Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies
	Barbi D' Wonder Beki	Billy Bayagan / Beki
2018	Amnesia Love [15]	Kimmer
	My 2 Mommies	Manuel "Manu" Castillo
2019	Born Beautiful	Trisha Echevarria
	The Panti Sisters	Gabriel Panti

Television

Year	Title	Role
2001	Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin	Paul
2001–present	Eat Bulaga!	Himself (co-host)
2002–03	Kahit Kailan	PJ
2005–06	Daddy Di Do Du	Paolo
2005	Love to Love	Eric
2006		Amando / Mandy
2007–08	Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan	Ida
2008	Dyesebel	Bukanding
2009	SRO Cinemaserye Presents: "Rowena Joy"	RJ
	Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang	Alfie
2010	The Last Prince	Diwani Anexi
	Claudine	Carlo
	Midnight DJ	Venus
	Face to Face	Himself
2011	I Heart You, Pare!	Vodka
	Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit	Aloha
2013	Kidlat	Walter / Warla
	The Ryzza Mae Show	Himself (guest)
	Vampire ang Daddy Ko	Andres Bonifacio
2014	Karugtong Ng Puso: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Reynaldo / Baldo
	Marian	Himself (co-host)
2015	Biro Ng Kapalaran: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Obet
	Sabado Badoo	Himself (cameo)
2016	Kaputol ng Buhay: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special	Lola Tidora
2018	Pamana	Paulito Nunal
2020	Bawal na Game Show	Himself (host)
2021	Fill in the Bank	Himself (guest player)
	Popinoy	Himself (host)
2022–24	Drag Race Philippines
2024	Selda ng Kahapon: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special
2025	Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale

Radio

Year	Title	Role
2023	Wanted sa Radyo	Himself (guest)

Awards

Awards
Year	Award Giving Body	Work/Nominee	Award	Result
2002	16th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Daddy Di Do Du	Best New Male TV Personality	Won
2015	Eastwood City Walk of Fame	Himself	Walk of Fame Star Inductee [16]	Inducted
2016	USTv Students' Choice Awards	Eat Bulaga!: Kalyeserye (with Jose & Wally)	Special Recognition for Social Media Phenomenon [17]	Won
	47th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards	Himself with Jose & Wally	Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award [18]	Won
	Platinum Stallion Media Awards	Eat Bulaga!: Kalyeserye	Trinitian Awardee for Values-Oriented TV Character [19]	Won
	29th Tokyo International Film Festival	Die Beautiful	Best Actor [20]	Won
	21st International Film Festival of Kerala		Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance [21]	Won
	42nd Metro Manila Film Festival		Best Actor [22] [23]	Won
2017	Film Development Council of the Philippines		Film Ambassador Award [24]	Won
	Gawad A.N.A.K	Himself	Ang Natatanging Anak Kabanatuan [25]	Won
	15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards	Die Beautiful	Best Actor [26]	Won
	Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students		Best Actor [25]	Won
	Gawad Bedista Awards		Actor of the Year for Film [27]	Won
	9th Ani ng Dangal Awards		Ani ng Dangal Awardee [28]	Won
	48th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards		Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist (Tokyo Best Actor) [29]	Won
	1st Eddys Awards (Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards for Movies)		Best Actor [30]	Won
	40th Gawad Urian Awards		Gawad Urian for Best Actor [31]	Won
2018	3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television	Himself	Most Innovative TV Personality [32]	Won
	5th Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards	Die Beautiful	Best Actor [33]	Won

References

1. "LOOK: Throwback photo of young Paolo Ballesteros with aunt Eula Valdez". Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
2. "Paolo and Eula's Amorsolo connection". January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
3. "Paolo Ballesteros suspended from Eat Bulaga for six months?". Philippine Entertainment Portal. March 17, 2016. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
4. "Paolo Ballesteros back on 'Eat Bulaga'". Manila Bulletin. September 5, 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
5. Tomada, Nathalie. "Paolo Ballesteros on Philippines drag community: 'We are world-class'". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
6. "Paolo Ballesteros: 12 wild makeup transformation moments". Rappler. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
7. "Tyra praises Paolo Ballesteros' makeup transformation". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
8. "LOOK: Vic Sotto, first male celebrity makeup transformation ni Paolo Ballesteros". GMA News. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
9. "Team Die Beautiful at Tokyo International Film Festival 2016". Archived from the original on December 17, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
10. "Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor in The 29th Tokyo International Film Festival Closing Ceremony". Archived from the original on October 28, 2020 – via www.youtube.com.
11. "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: From Makeup Transformation to International Best Actor". youtube.com. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. November 14, 2016. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
12. Ligunas, Mary Louise (December 31, 2016). "Ex-girlfriend on Paolo Ballesteros: Best actor, best daddy, best friend". GMA News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
13. "Paolo Ballesteros officially comes out: "I'm a lady!"". showbizchika.net. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
14. "Paolo Ballesteros proudly admits "I'm a lady"". pep.ph. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
15. Abanilla, Clarizel (September 1, 2017). "Paolo Ballesteros, Yam Concepcion star in new movie 'Amnesia Love'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Event occurs at 12:11 PM. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
16. "Kalyeserye stars, Kapuso personalities get stars in PHL Walk of Fame". GMA News. GMA Network. December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
17. "Ilang programa ng GMA Network, pinarangalan sa 12th USTV Students' Choice Awards". GMA News. GMA Network. April 22, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
18. Calderon, Nora (February 21, 2016). "John Lloyd, Bea, Vice, Coco, Vic, Ai-Ai lead winners at the Box Office Entertainment Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
19. "GMA Network Inc wins big at the Platinum Stallion Awards". GMA Network. January 27, 2016. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
20. "Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor in Tokyo International Film Festival". GMA News. GMA Network. November 3, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
21. "Paolo Ballesteros wins another int'l award for 'Die Beautiful'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 19, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
22. "MMFF 2016 winners revealed: Paolo Ballesteros, Irma Adlawan named Best Actor and Best Actress". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
23. "FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2016 Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
24. "FDCP honors film ambassadors". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
25. "Paolo nakatanggap ng 4 bagong award para sa 'Die Beautiful'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Bandera. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
26. "Charo Santos, Jaclyn Jose, Paolo Ballesteros at Allen Dizon, big winners at the 15thGawad Tanglaw". push.abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN Corporation. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
27. "Dabarkad Paolo Ballesteros, bedridden matapos mahilo". GMA Network. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
28. "Jaclyn Jose, Paolo Ballesteros, Barbie Forteza, and Therese Malvar to be honored at the 9th Ani ng Dangal Awards". GMA Network. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
29. Aquino, Anne Charmaine (April 23, 2017). "Kapuso program and stars, wagi sa 48th Box Office Entertainment Awards". GMA Network, Inc. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
30. Policarpio, Allan (July 12, 2017). "Vilma, Paolo top entertainment editors' choices". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
31. "FULL LIST: Winners, Gawad Urian Awards 2017". Rappler. July 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
32. "Ilang Kapuso personalities at programs, wagi sa 3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for TV". GMA News. January 9, 2018. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
33. "Mga Kapuso, wagi sa 5th Holy Angel University Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards". GMA News. March 12, 2018. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.

External links

• Media related to Paolo Ballesteros at Wikimedia Commons
• Paolo Ballesteros on Twitter
• Paolo Ballesteros at IMDb