Paolo Enrico Tusi Contis (born March 14, 1984) is a Filipino actor, host, singer, and comedian of Italian descent.[1][2] Contis debuted as a child actor in the ABS-CBN show Ang TV during the 1990s. A GMA Network artist for 20 years, he has won several acting awards.

Paolo Contis
Contis hosting Eat Bulaga! in 2023.
Born
Paolo Enrico Tusi Contis

(1984-03-14) March 14, 1984 (age 40)
Manila, Philippines
EducationEnderun Colleges
Occupations
  • Actor
  • host
  • comedian
  • singer
Years active1988–present
AgentSparkle GMA Artist Center (2004–present)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Spouse(s)Lian Paz
(m. 2009; sep. 2012)
Children3

Biography and career

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Contis was born to an Italian father and a Filipino mother. He was a popular child actor who appeared in several films during the mid-1990s. Despite being cast in the popular drama series Mara Clara, Contis is better known for being part of kids-oriented program Ang TV, and the primetime sitcom Oki Doki Doc.

In his teenage years, he was launched as a member of Star Circle (now Star Magic) Batch 3 in 1996. Contis rose to fame for his appearance in the youth-oriented teen drama Tabing Ilog.

Contis moved to GMA Network in 2004. He ventured into more mature roles and played supporting and comical roles in numerous GMA dramas and shows, and has also found his niche in portraying antagonist roles. In 2008, Contis won at the 24th PMPC Star Award for Movies as "Best Actor" for the movie Banal, directed by GMA reporter Cesar Apolinario.[3]

In August 2009, Contis played the role of Kobra, Valentina's father, in the fantasy series Darna. This was the second time that Contis has worked with actress Marian Rivera (the two previously worked together in Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang). Contis and Rivera worked together for the third time in the TV sitcom Show Me Da Manny, co-starring with Benjie Paras, Lovi Poe, and Ogie Alcasid.

Contis also hosted the defunct comedy reality show Wipeout: Matira Ang Matibay, his ninth comedy show in his television career and his fourth GMA comedy program. He was also cast in the drama series Little Star, marking his return to dramatic roles. He also took guest-hosting in the game show Press It, Win It when original host Joey de Leon took a temporary leave of absence; De Leon later returned to host the show.

In 2010, Contis returned to doing reality shows through Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge, GMA's first Christmas reality show.

In 2011, Contis worked in two drama series Machete and Futbolilits. He also took hosting duties in the game show Manny Many Prizes (with boxing champion Manny Pacquiao) and the talent show I-Shine: Talent Camp TV (with co-host Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and child actress Jillian Ward). In 2012, he starred in My Beloved and Aso ni San Roque. In 2013, Contis appeared in Love & Lies and the recent remake of Villa Quintana.

In 2020, his two movies Ang Pangarap kong Holdap and Through Night and Day earned spots in Netflix as most viewed films in the Philippines. The said movies had earlier been released in theaters in 2018 but did not do well at the box-office.

In 2021, Contis starred in the film A Faraway Land with Yen Santos.[4]

In 2023, Contis was hired by TAPE Inc. as one of the new hosts for the reformatted version of Eat Bulaga!,[5] which was later renamed as Tahanang Pinakamasaya.[6] The show concluded in March 2024.[7][8]

Personal life

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Contis is the father of three children. He has two daughters, Xonia Aitana and Xalene Abriana, from his previous marriage to Lian Paz, a former member of the EB Babes. As well as another daughter, Summer Ayana, from his relationship with LJ Reyes.[9] On September 1, 2021, Contis confirmed that the couple were no longer together.[10][11] He was in a relationship with A Faraway Land co-star Yen Santos.[12] They later broke up in 2024. He is currently single.[13][14]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Network
1992–1996 Ang TV Himself ABS-CBN
1992–1997 Mara Clara Jepoy
1993–2001 Star Drama Presents Guest role
1993–2000 Oki Doki Doc Paolo
1995–2004 ASAP Himself/co-host
1997 Kaybol: Ang Bagong TV Himself
!Oka Tokat Nico
1999–2003 Tabing Ilog Badong
1999–2000 Tarajing Potpot Pepe
1999 Wansapanataym: Lazy Johnny Meets Juan Tamad Johnny
2000–2002 Pangako Sa ’Yo Vinny
2002–2004 Klasmeyts Himself/Host
2004 Love 2 Love: Duet for Love GMA Network
Love 2 Love: Pretty Boy Ian/Ianne
2005–2006 Sugo Adan
2005 Love 2 Love: Haunted LoveHouse Nico
Extra Challenge Himself/Challenger
2005–present Bubble Gang Himself/Regular Guest (2005-2012)/Main Cast (2012-present)
2006 Noel Various
Maynila
Love 2 Love: Like Mother, Like Daughters Ivan
Baywalk Various
Love 2 Love: Fat Is Fabulous Boyong
2006–2007 Atlantika Piranus
2007 Asian Treasures Victor
Magpakailanman: The Mom's Cake Band Story
Who's Your Daddy Now? Paulo Burgos
Mga Mata ni Angelita Martin
Fantastic Man Madam Tisay
2007–2008 La Vendetta Jun-Jun Sabino
2008 Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita Tyrone San Juan
Midnight DJ Patrick TV5
Codename: Asero Dave Avjeo GMA Network
2009 Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Conrado "Rado" Barrientos
My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad Himself/Host
SRO Cinemaserye: Suspetsa Adam
OC To The Max! Himself/Host
2009–2011 Show Me Da Manny Eric Paredes
2009–2010 Darna Kobra/Xandro
2010 Wipeout: Matira ang Matibay Himself/Host
Pilyang Kerubin Jonas Alejandrino
5 Star Specials Various TV5
Showbiz Central Himself/Guest Host GMA Network
Claudine Presents: Teacher's Pest Various
2010–2011 Little Star Lester Lumibao
2010 Jollitown Alfredo
Suwerteng Swerte Sa Siyete: Press It Win It! Himself/Guest Host
Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge Himself/Challenger
2011 Pablo S. Gomez's Machete Homer
I-Shine Talent Camp TV Himself/Host
Futbolilits Enrico Almodovar
2011–2012 Manny Many Prizes Himself/Co-host
2012 Spooky Valentine Presents: Masahista Mike
My Beloved Geronimo 'Gimo' Magtoto
2012–2013 Aso ni San Roque Peter Silverio/Sento
2013 Love & Lies Emmanuel "Manny" Perez
Magpakailanman: Bayaning Yagit Mario
Wagas: Puso sa Puso Jojo Rugay
Wagas: Langit at Lupa Rene Bijasa
Magpakailanman: Sa Mata ng Daluyong Jiggy Manicad
2013–2014 Villa Quintana Robert Quintana
2014 Yagit Rex Delos Santos
2015 The Rich Man's Daughter Tommy Alvaro
Magpakailanman: Tapat na Asawa, Baliw na Ina Ompong
2015–2016 Little Nanay Stanley Cubrador
2016 Dear Uge Gardo
Magpakailanman: Gang War Victim Sky
Sinungaling Mong Puso Erick
Alyas Robin Hood Daniel Acosta
Hay, Bahay! Empoy
2017 3 Days of Summer Himself
2018 Barangay 143 Koboy
2019 Hiram na Anak Benjo Alvarez
Studio 7 Himself/Performer/Co-host
2020–2023 All-Out Sundays Himself/Performer/Co-host/Various roles
2020 I Can See You: The Promise Frank Agoncillo
2021–2022 I Left My Heart in Sorsogon Michael Angelo "Mikoy" Macedonio
2023–2024 Eat Bulaga! Himself/Host
2024 Tahanang Pinakamasaya!
Magpakailanman: A Son's Karma Wilbert

Film

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Films
Year Title Role Production company
1990 My Other Woman (Credited as Paul Contis) Regal Films
1991 Darna Young Dong Viva Films
1992 Narito ang Puso Ko Dondon
BigBoy Bato: Kilabot ng Kankaloo Regal Films
Sonny Boy, Public Enemy Number 1 of Cebu City Young Sonny Seiko Films
1993 Ang Kuya Kong Siga Utoy Moviestars Production
Magkasangga sa Batas Boyet (Credited as Paolo Conti) Harvest International Films
Golden Kay International Film
My Way Film Company (international version)
1994 Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling Paolo Star Cinema
Eat All You Can Seiko Films
O-Ha! Ako Pa? Teddy OctoArts Films
1995 Basta't Kasama Kita Paolo Star Cinema
1996 Mara Clara: The Movie Jepoy
Oki Doki Doc: The Movie Paolo
Ang TV: The Movie Jeremy
1997 I Do? I Die! (D'yos Ko Day!) Paolo Mendiola
1998 Haba-Baba-Doo! Puti-Puti-Poo! Paolo
Hiling Elwood
Mystrio (Uno... Dos.. Tres... Pilyos!) Paul
2001 Taxi Ni Pilo
Trip Ram
2003 Noon at Ngayon: Pagsasamang Kay Ganda Bryan
Asboobs: Asal Bobo Ronan Nu Art Movies
2004 Spirit of the Glass Drue OctoArts Films & Canary Films
2005 Let the Love Begin Uno GMA Films
Hari ng Sablay Popoy Regal Films
Mulawin: The Movie Banoy GMA Films & Regal Films
2006 Oh! My Ghost Dennis OctoArts Films
Nasaan si Francis? Boy Unico Entertainment
Crazy Angle Productions
Moments of Love Juancho GMA Films
Pamahiin Damian Regal Films
Reyna: Ang Makulay Na Pakikipagsapalaran ng mga Achucherva, Achuchuva, Achechenes.... Chuvaneska Viva Films
2007 Resiklo Jerzon Imus Productions
Ignite Media
2008 Banal Cris ComGuild Productions
Scaregiver Ramil APT Entertainment
M-Zet TV Production
One Night Only Diego OctoArts Films
Canary Films
2009 Status: Single Randy Viva Films
Litsonero Fidel APT Entertainment
2012 Boy Pick-Up: The Movie Kapitan Regal Films
GMA Films
2015 La Amigas TV reporter OctoArts Films
GMA Films
Angela Markado Leo Oro de Siete Films
Viva Films
2018 Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap Nicoy Mavx Production
2018 Through Night and Day Ben Mavx Production
OctoArts Films
Viva Films
2019 Family History GMA Pictures
Mic Test Entertainment
2020 Magikland Boris Brightlight Productions
Gallaga-Reyes Films
2021 A Faraway Land Nico Mendoza Mavx Production
iZla Badong OctoArts Films
2024 A Journey Bryan Mavx Production
Filmotion Productions
Fuchsia Libre Oliver/Keon/Fuchsia Libre Mavx Production
Unreleased (2024) Dear Satan Satan

Awards and recognitions

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  • Winner, Best Actor in a Mini Series for Maalaala Mo Kaya - PMPC Star Awards for Television (2000, 2002, 2005 & 2006)
  • Winner, 24th PMPC's Star Awards' Movie Actor of the Year of 2008: "Banal" Comguild Productions[15]
  • Winner, 26th Luna Awards Best Actor of 2008: Banal

References

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  1. ^ "Paolo Contis: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Paolo Contis". GMA Artist Center. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "The PMPC holds the 24th Star Awards for Movies in Ateneo". PEP (in Tagalog). June 30, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "Paolo Contis receives rave reviews from netizens on his acting in 'A Faraway Land'". gmanetwork.com. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  5. ^ C. Serato, Arniel (June 6, 2023). "New 'Eat Bulaga! host Paolo Contis appeals to the public: "I hope you give us a chance..."". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Troika, PEP (January 6, 2024). "Paolo Contis nagulat sa desisyon ng korte sa mga kaso ng TVJ laban sa TAPE". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Therese Arceo (March 8, 2024). "Paolo Contis bet mapag-isa, sad sa pagbabu ng Tahanang Pinakamasaya". Inquirer Bandera (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  8. ^ C. Serato, Arniel (March 18, 2024). "Paolo Contis no ill feelings toward GMA-7". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (June 5, 2022). "Get to Know Lian Paz daughters". pep.ph. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Paolo Contis finally issues a statement, admits cheating during his relationship with LJ Reyes". MSN.
  11. ^ "'Naging marupok at g*g* ako': Paolo Contis breaks silence". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "Paolo Contis 'happy, contented' with Yen Santos — Lolit Solis". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  13. ^ C. Serato, Arniel (June 20, 2024). "Paolo Contis, Yen Santos unfollow each other on Instagram". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Geli, Bianca (November 15, 2024). "Paolo Contis says he is single amid breakup rumors with Yen Santos". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  15. ^ abs-cbnnews.com, 24th Star Movie Actor of the Year regrets fellow actor’s snub of original offer[permanent dead link]
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