Paulo Avelino who plays Diego Layer in Honesto said the new teleserye is more than just a family drama. “I’m really proud to do this teleserye Honesto dahil talagang yun yung asal na kailangan talaga natin hindi lang ng mga Filipino. Kailangan ng lahat ng tao maging tapat at sana makita ng lahat ng manunuod ng Honesto kung gaano kahalaga ng katapatan sa lipunan natin. Dito mga con artist kami. Dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay nagnanakaw kami pero mataas ang pangarap pero dahil sa pag-ibig at dahil sa katapatan ng babaeng nakilala ni Diego ay handa na siyang talikuran lahat ng masasama para sa isang tapat at mapayapang buhay. Tatay ako ni Honesto,” he said.
Paulo said he had no hesitation accepting the role because he is a father in real life as well. “I want to portray roles that are new and bago sa akin. I haven’t portrayed anything like this before,” he admitted.
His working relationship with new child star Raikko Mateo (who plays Honesto) is another reason why he is happy to be part of the show. “Okay siya very jolly and honest yung bata for a five-year-old kid. So far hindi ko pa talaga nakaka-eksena ng matagal yung bata pero sa mga nagawa naming photo shoots and teasers, okay naman. Magaan katrabaho,” he added.
When asked about his personal life, Paulo said he can now openly admit that he and actress LJ Reyes (mother of his son Ethan) have decided to part ways. The 25-year-old actor admitted his current relationship status is “single and complicated.” “Siguro I’ve been aloof answering questions. Hindi naman ako nagsisingungaling pero I’m a very private person and marami rin naman sa buhay ko ang ayokong… I just want my personal life away from the public as much as possible. Ayoko ring magbigay ng specific date pero medyo. It was a mutual decision. Sinisiguro ko na may oras ako para sa bata. Pag wala akong ginagawa, I try as much as possible to spend it with my son,” he said.
The Honesto star also clarified rumors that he had attempted suicide because of the stress in his personal and professional life. “Well it’s not true. Hindi naman. I won’t be affected by something that’s not true. First of all I’m here and nung pumutok yung balita I was working dire-diretso siguro for a whole week and nagulat rin ako and nagising na lang ako na may tumatawag sa akin (laughs),” he shared.
Paulo admitted he did go through a low point in his life but does not want to label it as depression. “Siguro normal naman yun sa tao na nalulungkot, sumasaya (laughs). I wouldn’t call it depression. I would call it something normal na pinagdadaanan ng isang tao,” he explained. The talented actor said he is okay now but chooses to keep the rest of the details to himself. “Sa akin na lang yun. Sabi nga nila time heals so yun oras lang talaga, oras to think about things,” he added.
Although he is very much single right now, Paulo said his son and his career are his two priorities now. “Magmahal ulit? Ako I will not rush it pero kung ibibigay, may darating at mararamdaman ko, bakit hindi?” he said.