| Paolo Ballesteros | |
| Birth Name: | Paolo Elito M. Ballesteros IV |
| Birth Date: | 29 November 1982 |
| Birth Place: | Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines |
| Othername: | Mama Pao, Pochoy, P4 |
| Occupation: | Actor, TV host, Model, Comedian, Product Endorser, Drag Queen |
| Yearsactive: | 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, and he is currently one of the co-hosts of longtime noontime show Eat Bulaga! from 2001 until today, and he is the host of Drag Race Philippines.
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]
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]
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 gender identity.[13] [14]
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin | Paul | GMA Network |
| 2001–present | Eat Bulaga! | Himself (co-host) | GMA Network / TV5, CNN Philippines |
| 2002–03 | Kahit Kailan | PJ | GMA Network |
| 2005–06 | Daddy Di Do Du | Paolo | |
| 2005 | Love to Love | Eric | |
| 2006 | Amando / Mandy | ||
| 2007–08 | 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 | TV5 | |
| Face to Face | Himself | ||
| 2011 | I Heart You, Pare! | Vodka | GMA Network |
| Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit | Aloha | ||
| 2013 | Kidlat | Walter / Warla | TV5 |
| The Ryzza Mae Show | Himself (guest) | GMA Network | |
| Vampire ang Daddy Ko | |||
| 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 | ||
| 2018 | Pamana | Paulito Nunal | |
| 2020 | Bawal Na Game Show | Himself (host) | TV5 |
| 2021 | Fill in the Bank | Himself (guest player) | |
| Popinoy | Himself (host) | ||
| 2022–present | Drag Race Philippines | WOW Presents Plus, Discovery+, HBO Go | |
| 2024 | Selda ng Kahapon: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special | Rudy | |
| Year | Title | Role | Film Producer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Pakisabi Na Lang... Mahal Ko Siya | Martin | Regal Films | |
| 2003 | Anghel sa Lupa | Ariel | ||
| 2004 | Fantastikman | OctoArts Films and M-Zet Productions | ||
| 2006 | Metlogs (Metrosexual Jologs) | Rodelio "Rodel" Dapulo | Grupong Sinehan Production | |
| Pao | OctoArts Films and M-Zet Productions | |||
| 2007 | Xenoa | Zeus | Xion Films, Visual Camp, and Multimedia Arts | |
| 2008 | Xenoa 2: Clash of the Bloods | |||
| 2009 | Waiter (cameo) | Spring Films, MJM Productions, Solar Films, and Star Cinema | ||
| 2010 | Pendong | Paulino | Oxin Films | |
| 2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Anton | Star Cinema, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, and OctoArts Films | |
| Enteng Ng Ina Mo | Gay Lover | Star Cinema, M-Zet Productions, OctoArts Films, and APT Entertainment | ||
| 2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Tweety | APT Entertainment and M-Zet Productions | |
| 2013 | My Little Bossings | Alat | OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, and Kris Aquino Productions, GMA Pictures | |
| 2014 | So It's You | L.A. | Regal Films and GMA Pictures | |
| My Big Bossing's Adventure | Alat | M-Zet Films, APT Entertainment, OctoArts, GMA Pictures | ||
| 2015 | My Bebe Love | Raymond | M-Zet Films, APT Entertainment, OctoArts Films, GMA Films, Meda Productions | |
| 2016 | Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin | Señorito Bogz Lee Ginintuan | Viva Films, Heaven's Best Entertainment | |
| Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? | Benj | Viva Films | ||
| Die Beautiful | Trisha | Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum, APT Entertainment, TheIdeaFirst Company, October Train Films | ||
| Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | Lola Tidora | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, GMA Pictures | ||
| 2017 | APT Entertainment, M-Zet TV Productions, GMA Pictures | |||
| Barbi D' Wonder Beki | Billy Bayagan / Beki | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, T-Rex Entertainment, GMA Pictures | ||
| 2018 | Amnesia Love[15] | Viva Films | ||
| My 2 Mommies | Manu | Regal Films | ||
| 2019 | The Panti Sisters | Gabriel Panti | Black Sheep, Idea First Company, Quantum Films ALV Productions |
| Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award Giving Body | Work/Nominee | Award | Result |
| 2002 | Daddy Di Do Du | Best New Male TV Personality | ||
| 2015 | Himself | Walk of Fame Star Inductee[16] | ||
| 2016 | USTv Students' Choice Awards | Eat Bulaga! Kalyeserye (with Jose & Wally) | Special Recognition for Social Media Phenomenon[17] | |
| Himself with Jose & Wally | Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award[18] | |||
| Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Eat Bulaga | Kalyeserye | Trinitian Awardee for Values-Oriented TV Character[19] | |
| Die Beautiful | Best Actor[20] | |||
| 21st International Film Festival of Kerala | Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance[21] | |||
| Best Actor[22] [23] | ||||
| 2017 | Film Ambassador Award[24] | |||
| Gawad A.N.A.K | Himself | Ang Natatanging Anak Kabanatuan[25] | ||
| 15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Die Beautiful | Best Actor[26] | ||
| Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students | Best Actor | |||
| Gawad Bedista Awards | Actor of the Year for Film[27] | |||
| Ani ng Dangal Awardee[28] | ||||
| Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist (Tokyo Best Actor)[29] | ||||
| 1st Eddys Awards (Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards for Movies) | Best Actor[30] | |||
| 40th Gawad Urian Awards | Gawad Urian for Best Actor[31] | |||
| 2018 | 3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television | Himself | Most Innovative TV Personality[32] | |
| 5th Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards | Die Beautiful | Best Actor[33] | ||