Paulo Avelino takes off clothes for Bench

PAULO AVELINO is reinventing his career. He begun as a wholesome boy next door in GMA shows as “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin”, “All My Life”, “Luna Mystica”, “Panday Kids” and his newest show, “Alakdana”, where he’s the leading man of title-roler Louise de los Reyes. Next week, you’ll see Paulo in his briefs for Bench Body Return to Temptation billboards. To get the lean hard body he shows in it, he works out every day in the gym, even if he’s tired from all night taping. So he’s ready to give his Starstruck 4 batchmate Aljur Abrenica a run for his money when it comes to going sexy? “Actually, mas daring na nga yung ginawa ko sa Bench appearing in my underwear,” he says. “I’m turning 23 on May 13 and I think I’m of the right age for more mature roles. Before, parang naglalaro lang ako, but I now take my work seriously.”

Paulo has done supporting roles in three films before: “Desperadas”, “Ang Panday” and “Patient X”. He now plays the lead in “Huling Sayaw”, a Cinemalaya entry directed by Alvin Yapan of “Panggagahasa Kay Fe” two years ago. He’ll have some dancing scenes so he’ll have to train for that. If it’d require him to show some skin, he’d be willing to do it. He’s now managed by Leo Dominguez. “It’s part of my career move. I felt I needed a manager na tututok sa’kin in handling my career and Leo is willing to help me. But he’s co-managing me with GMA Artist Center para dalawa silang magtutulong sa career ko.”

How does he find Louise de los Reyes in Alakdana? “She’s good. Sa galing niya umarte, nadadala ako kapag ka-eksena ko siya. Soon, madadagdagan ang cast ng ‘Alakdana’ as Gwen Zamora will be joining us.”

Gwen is also in Machete. We heard they’ll kill her character there and Kris Bernal will join Machete.