Paolo Contis & Isabel Oli.. Still Going strong

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/3845/Paulo-Contis-Isabel-Oli-still-going-strong-together

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Malaya January 25, 2007
Paolo and Isabel
Happy Together

BY ARNEL RAMOS

Paolo Contis, 22, claims that the fragile-looking Isabel Oli (who definitely looks younger than her 25 summers), his girlfriend of over a year now, has learned to be as kuwela as he is. As in laugh-out loud funny.

"Ngayon, nagbi-burp na siya sa harap ko," he reveals.

Isabel slaps him hard on his left forearm, breaking into peals of laughter. This prompts the press people gathered around them on the round table to conclude that Paolo is a "battered boyfriend" to which he readily agrees. He is obviously enjoying the moment, being able to put one over his ladylove – all in the spirit of fun, of course.

Isabel, in an effort to get even, drops a bomb. "Naku, siya (Paolo), umuutot sa set!" Anyone does that, he counters. And then adds: "It’s but normal."

"Pero hindi sa taping. Iba talaga yung amoy, eh," Isabel jests, and everyone, including herself, Paolo and the media, join in a chorus of hearty laughter.

Love and work

One gets the impression that Paolo and Isabel, who relish the idea of being "co-workers" other than being a real-life couple, have found their perfect match in each other. The lovebirds are both excited with the impending conclusion of the high-rating underwater fantaserye of GMA-7 "Atlantika," which airs weeknights after "Asian Treasures." Paolo’s character Piranus will discover something about his real identity. "Malalaman niya na anak pala siya ni Agat (Gardo Versoza), the former king of Atlantika. Na he should be king."

On the other hand, Isabel’s character finds herself torn between her mother, Celeste (Jean Garcia), the evil twin of Atlantika’s former queen Celebes, and Atlantika. "Ang daming kapana-panabik na pangyayari na hindi dapat palampasin ng viewers," she says.


Although it’s still under negotiations, Isabel hopes that a movie with GMA Films pushes through. Paolo, on his part, hopes to be included in the cast of Richard Gutierrez’s next action-oriented soap "Lupin."

Made for each other

Paolo, who was involved in the past with the feline-looking Nancy Castiliogne, now seems more relaxed. It will be recalled that during his relationship with Nancy, the otherwise-komikerong actor (he is actually very versatile, one of the very few in his batch who does comedy, drama, fantasy, action, bida-kontrabida roles with equal aplomb) was the picture of an overly arduous and passionate Romeo. Before they headed for Splitsville, Paolo was making plans for a life together with Nancy.

One can only make a haphazard guess as to the heartbreak that he went through. But true to his being a gallant lover, Paolo never once badmouthed his former inamorata. He chose to keep quiet and bear the pain all by himself.

What matters most

What follows grief, as most survivors can attest to, is always euphoria. Looking at him now, there is not a trace of past hurts on his face. Isabel, he shares, has brought nothing but positive changes in his life.

"Nagulat ang Mommy ko na may Bible sa kotse ko. ‘Anak, dati baril yan!’ Mas lalo siyang nagulat nang makita niya na iba ang Bible ko sa kotse, iba sa kuwarto," shares Paolo.

The two make it a point to hear mass together at the Victory Chapel. "Sana sa February, ma-baptize na si Paolo," says Isabel.

There is clearly no need to rush into wedding plans. Paolo and Isabel are living in the here and now. What tomorrow brings – be it continued joy or sudden goodbye (knock on wood!) – is something that cannot break what their relationship is built on – friendship. Paolo concludes: "Pagtanda namin, at hindi na ako gaanong guwapo, it’s the friendship that will really remain."