Paulo Avelino recently signed a three-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, and in an interview following the signing, he expressed his gratitude to the Kapamilya network. “Very excited po ako sa bagong environment, bagong mga tao. Kapag ganun lagi akong napu-push sa limits ko. Thankful and happy ako na ABS-CBN accepted me. Hopeful ako na matulungan nila akong maging mas mahusay hindi lang sa pag-arte pati na rin sa pagiging tao.”

Paulo started out in showbiz as part of an artista search on another network. He clarified that there’s no bad blood between him and his former bosses, and that his decision to switch was for the growth of his career. “Nagpaalam naman ako nang maayos. Kinausap ko ‘yung mga bosses, sumulat din ako. Alam naman nila na wala akong ikinagagalit. Sana wala rin silang ikinagagalit sa akin. Gusto ko lang mag-explore, go out of my comfort zone. I want to re-invent myself. For my career growth lang.”

The projects in store for the 23-year-old actor is still under wraps, but according to him, he would love to hone his skills in dramatic acting. “Gusto kong i-hone ‘yung dramatic acting ko. Kung gumaling na ako, sana makapag-shift din ako sa comedy, then action, at iba pang field. Kung ano lang ang meron, ayos sa akin. Hindi naman ako mapili sa project. Gusto ko rin na pabago-bago ‘yung mga roles na magagawa ko.” He recently starred in the Cinemalaya movie Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwa ang Paa.

When asked who among the Kapamilya leading ladies he would love to work with, Paulo named My Binondo Girl star Kim Chiu. “Sa mga babae gusto kong maka-work si Kim Chiu. Aside sa galing niya sa pag-arte, napaganda talaga niya. Nakikita kong napakabait niyang artista. Napanood ko siya sa Tayong Dalawa. Hi hello lang kami sa ilang Bench fashion shows. Laging nakaka-star struck kapag nakakakita ka ng artistang hindi mo madalas makita.”

Meanwhile, among the ABS-CBN leading men, Paulo said he has so much respect for Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin actor Coco Martin. “Sa mga lalaki gusto kong makasama si Coco Martin. Mahusay siyang umarte. Feeling ko mas gagaling ako bilang aktor kapag nakatrabaho ko siya. Madami akong matututunan.”

But Paulo clarified that he didn’t come to ABS-CBN to compete or outshine anyone. He explained that he just want to become a better actor and learn new things in the industry. “Hindi naman ako nandito para makipagkumpetensya. Nandito lang ako para ipakita ‘yung lahat ng makakaya ko. Siguro tao na lang ang makakapag-judge nun. Ibibigay ko lang ‘yung best ko. Sana ma-appreciate ng mga tao.”