LOOK: Paolo Ballesteros arrives as Lady Gaga at press con

MANILA – Paolo Ballesteros turned heads when he arrived as Lady Gaga at the press conference for his movie “Die Beautiful” on Wednesday.

The film -- his first in a lead role -- is an entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. It features him doing nine makeup transformations, something which he has become known for over the past year.

Among all his projects, Ballesteros admitted “Die Beautiful” is really close to his heart.

“Very personal sa akin ito kasi this is my first title role and 'yung story, talagang parang sinukat sa akin 'yung film. Although lahat naman ng mga projects ko, binibigay ko yung 100% ko, gusto ko every time I make a project, I make sure na iba 'yung makikita nila na Paolo. This one, with makeup transformation pa, so talagang very personal sa akin kaya pinagbutihan ko talaga,” he explained.

His performance in “Die Beautiful” has already been recognized in international film festivals but Ballesteros stressed that winning an award is not his main motivation.

“Kung sakaling magkaroon ng award, I am thankful. But I am not doing it for the award kundi dahil maganda yung storya,” he said.

Asked how else he prepared for his role, Ballesteros said: “'Yung character ko kasi merong mga series of flashbacks, may college, may pabakla pa lang. May level ng pagkabakla, iba 'yung acting. Direk is always there naman to guide me. Teamwork talaga.”

For his part, “Die Beautiful” director Jun Robles Lana admitted that they prefer to make a splash in the box office than to receive awards.

“Sa takilya na tayo kasi medyo marami na tayong awards,” Lana said. “Particularly sa movie na ito, gusto namin maka-reach out kami sa pinakamaraming audience na possible. Yung story is very Filipino. We made it primarily for the Filipino audience.”

“Die Beautiful,” along with the other seven MMFF entries, will open in cinemas stating December 25.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Paolo Ballesteros dresses as Angelina Jolie in Tokyo film fest

MANILA -- In “Die Beautiful,” the new film of award-winning director Jun Lana, Paolo Ballesteros plays a transgender woman whose dying wish is to be dressed as Katy Perry for her funeral.

But for the movie's premiere at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival on Tuesday, Ballesteros took to the red carpet as another Hollywood star, Angelina Jolie.

Ballesteros, who is known for his makeup transformations on social media, posted a photo of him looking like the American actress on the red carpet.

The movie is among the 16 films competing at the prestigious film festival that was selected from among 1,502 titles from 98 countries and regions.

According to the film's Facebook page , the movie is about the "fierce battle" between the lead character's "conservative Filipino-Chinese family and her well-meaning drag queen friends.”

Its tagline, according to its poster, is “A glamorous life deserves a fabulous death.”

The Tokyo Film Festival is ongoing and runs until Nov 3.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Paolo Ballesteros out of hospital after mild stroke

MANILA – Actor-host Paolo Ballesteros has been released from the hospital after suffering a mild stroke early this week.

Ballesteros upload a photo of himself on Instagram on Thursday night, saying that he is home and doing okay.

He went on to update his fans and followers about his condition, saying that he will go back to work after resting for one week.



His post had the caption, unedited: “Hello dabarkads! im home na at ok na ako. before i post anything else, eto ang update. normal na ang bp ko hehe. Yung heart, may slight enlargement. 5.1. normal is 4-5. so .1 lng naman daw. liver enzymes elevated ng slight den kc sa alak at sa diet dietan. lahat ok na. di pa kelangan maintenance hehe. after 6 mos. kelangan icheck ulet yung heart kung lumiet na. 1 week lang pahinga kitakits ulit mga dabarkads sa barangay!:) 1 week na pahinga maramerameng makeup transformation to! hehehe. thanks sa mga dabarkads na nagppray at mga well wishers. salamat!”

Aside from hosting, Ballesteros is known for his “makeup transformations” on social media. He has copied the looks of several Hollywood celebrities such as Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Angelina Jolie.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com