CinemaBravo

There’s no slowing down for Kapamilya actor Paulo Avelino as he continues to make his mark on both the small and big screens with a flurry of back-to-back projects and commitments. While currently starring in the series ‘Linlang: The Teleserye Version’ and headlining the Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?’ opposite Kim Chiu (who also shares the screen with him in the former), Paulo is eagerly anticipating the release of his newest film, scheduled to hit theaters nationwide this April.

During a media conference where CinemaBravo was in attendance, Paulo received high praise from Rose Garcia of PEP.ph, who hailed him as “one of the hottest actors that we have now.” Responding to this accolade, Paulo expressed his gratitude, reflecting on the challenges posed by the pandemic and the subsequent return to work in the industry.

He answered, “I’m grateful na after the pandemic ang dami nangyari sa mga buhay nating lahat… No’ng mga panahon na yon, nami-miss mo ring umarte, nami-miss mo ring—kailangan mo ring magtrabaho para kumita. But I’m very grateful dahil I have two shows na umeere ngayon. And also, sumakto yung [playdate] namin for ‘Elevator.’

(“I’m grateful that after the pandemic, so many things have happened in all our lives… During those times, you also miss acting, you miss— you need to work to earn. But I’m very grateful because I have two shows airing now. And also, our ‘Elevator’ release date fell into place.)

“And it wouldn’t have happened if hindi ako tinanggap ng mga manonood, so I’m thankful for our TV audience, and not just the TV audience, now I’m hoping the film would do good and I’ll be able to thank the moviegoers properly.”

(“And it wouldn’t have happened if the viewers didn’t accept me, so I’m thankful for our TV audience, and not just the TV audience, now I’m hoping the film would do good and I’ll be able to thank the moviegoers properly.”)

His ‘Elevator’ co-star Kylie Verzosa also shared insights into reuniting with Paulo for another big-screen project. They initially collaborated in Ruel S. Bayani’s ‘Kasal,’ produced by Star Cinema, where they starred alongside Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay.

“I really love working with him. I think he’s one of the hottest actors out here,” she emphasized.

“But more than that, magaling talaga siya na aktor. I really look up to him. What he did here in the film, iba yung pinakita niyang character from all the other projects I’ve seen with Paulo. He’s very diverse. Iba yung elevator boy na pinakita niya dito.

(“But more than that, he’s really a great actor. I really look up to him. What he did here in the film, the character he portrayed is different from all the other projects I’ve seen with Paulo. He’s very diverse. The elevator boy he portrayed here is different.)

And with the story, we were both able to showcase two different characters.”

Discoveries about each other

The two lead stars of the joint venture between Viva Films, Studio Viva, Rein Entertainment, and Cineko Productions seamlessly blended during the shoot, sharing insights into their mutual growth and camaraderie on set.

Paulo said, “Okay naman. Hindi naman naging sobrang awkward, kasi prior to shooting the film, marami kaming script readings, workshops, so inayos namin yung characters namin. Yung na-discover ko kay Kylie, kasi nag-shoot kami sa Singapore, ano talaga siya—headturner! Kumbaga, minsan nahihiya na ‘kong tumabi sa kanya kasi lahat ng lalaki sa kanya nakatingin, baka mapaaway pa ako.”

(“It’s okay. It didn’t become too awkward because prior to shooting the film, we had many script readings, workshops, so we refined our characters. What I discovered about Kylie, because we shot in Singapore, she really is—a headturner! Sometimes, I feel shy standing next to her because all the men are looking at her, I might even get into a fight.”)

As for Kylie: “No, wala kaming ilangan, because—well, to me, I think we were friends. We were friends before and we’ve been friends for a couple of years and that makes it easier to work as characters and as actors.

(“No, we didn’t have any awkwardness, because—well, to me, I think we were friends. We were friends before and we’ve been friends for a couple of years, and that makes it easier to work as characters and as actors.

“Na-discover ko kay Paulo: I always found him very quiet, very mysterious. And he kept the same persona all throughout the shoot. But, I really respect him as an actor. I think he’s one of the best actors out here… Very maaalaga siya sa scene, and we worked together well. Ayun!”

(“What I discovered about Paulo: I always found him very quiet, very mysterious. And he maintained the same persona all throughout the shoot. But, I really respect him as an actor. I think he’s one of the best actors out here… He’s very attentive to the scene, and we worked well together. That’s it!”)

Join the ups and downs of the ‘Elevator’ as it arrives in Philippine theaters this April 24.

About the film ‘Elevator’

Written and directed by Philip King, ‘Elevator’ is a romantic-comedy film that explores the notion that love can emerge unexpectedly, even in the most mundane places.

Paulo Avelino portrays Jared, an ambitious elevator attendant in a Singapore hotel-casino complex, juggling his aspirations with the creation of an app for Filipino migrant workers. Despite facing rejection from potential investors, Jared’s fortunes take a turn when he encounters Byron (played by Adrian Pang), a Singaporean businessman intrigued by his proposal. However, Byron sets a condition: Jared must collaborate with Bettina (played by Kylie Verzosa), Byron’s secretary and lover.

As Jared and Bettina spend time together, their initial animosity evolves into a deep connection as they confide in each other. But complications arise as Bettina’s relationship with Byron complicates Jared’s growing feelings for her, forcing him to choose between love and ambition.

Filmed primarily in Singapore over a span of 10 days, ‘Elevator’ features a partnership with Singaporean production outfit Dogma Films. Director Philip King and producers Lino Cayetano and Shugo Praico commend the cast’s dedication, particularly Paulo Avelino’s transformative portrayal. Kylie Verzosa’s performance promises to reveal a new facet of her talent, while Adrian Pang impresses with his pivotal role.

Completing the ensemble cast are Chai Fonacier, Shrey Bhargava, Shahid Nasheer, Shaun Lim, Rishi Vadrevu, and Amy Cheng. Beyond its charming romance, ‘Elevator’ offers a poignant narrative shedding light on the experiences of migrant workers, sure to resonate with Filipino audiences.