The Arranque Market near Divisoria became much busier than usual when two male actors recently shot scenes for their upcoming indie film. Last Friday, March 20, Sid Lucero and Paolo Paraiso drew a crowd of onlookers as they sat in front of a pet shop discussing family matters.
This is one of the scenes in the Cinemalaya 2009 entry Astig (Mga Batang Kalye), which will compete at the Cultural Center of the Philippines this July. (Click HERE to learn more about the indie film Astig.)
After shooting in Arranque, Sid and Paolo then transferred to Barbosa Street in Quiapo, Manila to shoot some more exterior scenes. Curious bystanders waited quietly as the actors listened to directions from their director GB Sampedro.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to have an exclusive interview with Paolo after he finished his scenes. The GMA-7 star informed PEP about the status of Mylene Dizon, who is now pregnant with their second child.
He revealed that his former girlfriend is now in the United States where she is expected to give birth during the last week of April. Mylene is currently staying in Chicago with her family and their eldest son Tomas.
"Lilipad din ako dun, eventually," says Paolo. "Kung hindi man para sa panganganak niya...kung maabutan ko siya manganak, good. Pero kung hindi, susunduin ko lang siya para may katulong siya. Dalawang bata dala niya pauwi niya dito, e. Tutulungan ko lang siya pauwi."
PRIOR AGREEMENT. Paolo clarifies that even though he and Mylene do not live under one roof, this arrangement is doing very well for both them.
"Wala naman siyang restrictions sa akin kung kelan ko siya puwedeng bisitahin. Basta may oras siya, pupunta lang ako. Kahit araw-araw ako pumunta run sa bahay niya para bisitahin, okay lang. Kasi we're both parents naman ni Tomas. Mapapag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa mga anak namin.
"Hindi kami couple ni Mylene, romantically, pero we're good friends," stresses Paolo.
What if Mylene gives birth to another child?
"Okay na 'to. Sarado na e. 'Yan na napag-usapan namin dati, e."
The actor then admitted that he and Mylene already had a previous agreement to give their son Tomas a sibling even if their relationship does not work out.
"Dalawa [ang plano namin]. Kasi malungkot yung isa, e. 'Saka ever since naman, napag-usapan namin ni My dati na if ever magkahiwalay kami, talagang dapat magkapatid. Mas mahirap i-explain yung, 'Anak, uhh, kapatid mo siya. Pero sa ibang partner naman.' At least, yun lang ngayon. Ang ine-explain lang namin sa kanila is kung ba't kami hiwalay," says Paolo.
SURPRISE IDENTITY. Does he already know the gender of their baby?
"Para sa 'kin, parang may hint na lalaki yung baby. Pero hindi pa ko sigurado, e," says the first-time indie film actor.
According to Paolo, they deliberately asked the doctor not to reveal the gender of their baby so they would be surprised when Mylene gives birth. He also revealed that Tomas, their eldest son, says that he wants to have a baby sister.
What name would he give the child if he happens to be a boy?
"Lucas. Yun ang gusto ko. It was a choice between Nicolas or Lucas. Pero...I'm leaning towards 'Lucas.'" If the baby is a girl, he wants to name her Maria Sophia.
How did they decorate the room of the baby if they don't know its gender?
"White lang lahat...unisex. Pati yung mga ninong at ninang, saka yung mga kaibigan namin, [sinabihan na dapat] panay unisex lahat ng mga regalo sa baby registry."
Paolo, who is currently part of the GMA-7 primetime series Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, explains why they want to keep the gender of the baby a mystery.
"Mas may surprise yun, e. Katulad ng kay Tomas, grabe yung tulo ng luha ko nun. Nung paglabas niya...kinukunan ko pa si My habang nanganganak.
"Paglabas na paglabas ni Tomas, nung nakita kong lalaki, talagang tumulo agad yung luha ko, talagang 'Ay, lalaki!' Nagsisigaw ako dun. Kaya sabi nga ni Mylene, 'Paano kung babae 'yan?' Ganun pa din, pero natuwa lang ako na lalaki."
(With reports from Aidel Charisse Salangsang)