Lesson of the story: Diligence pays! When Eat Bulaga mainstay Paolo Ballesteros started uploading his makeup transformation photos, he was really only being a responsible, pro-active cast member. “I was just playing with my makeup sa bahay, doing characters that I can use for my Eat Bulaga production numbers,” Paolo tells Coconuts Manila over email. Soon, the popularity of the hashtag took over with the spotlight turning quickly on him — even the Frenchies over at HuffPo took notice. We just had to stalk him and ask a few questions.
How does it feel getting all this attention from all over the world?!
I am really surprised, actually, getting this worldwide recognition. It’s over-whelming and humbling at the same time. I was just playing with my makeup sa bahay, doing some characters that I can use in Eat Bulaga for production numbers, and posting them on my IG. It was never my intention to get the world’s attention.
We heard someone challenged you to do an Ellen Degeneres makeup transformation. Will you do it?
Yes, a lot have been requesting me to do Ellen Degeneres. Maybe when I find the right wig, ha-ha.
Do you remember the first makeup transformation you did?
The first time I tried was when my friend told me to watch a video on Youtube. It was the Angeline jolie makeup transformation by Promise Phan. I was amazed how she really looked like Angelina after the makeup. To think that she is Asian and her features are nowhere near Angelina’s. So I tried it right after that, and I got…Eula Valdes, ha ha ha. Well, Tita Eula and Angelina have similar features so I know I was on the right track. I just exaggerated the lips and then ayun, Angelina Jolie na ang kinalabasan.
Tita Eula? You’re also related to National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, right?
Yes. His daughter is the mother of my father, so he’s my great grandfather. Eula Valdes is my tita because her mother and my lola are sisters—both daughters of Lolo Fernando.
Wow. So much artists in the family! Well, do you still get help from makeup artists for your transformations?
I do and practice the transformations at home by myself. Before, when I use characters in Eat Bulaga, my makeup artist friend, Gerald Menorias, assists me. I’ll tell him what type of eye shadow [I want to use], how I want to do the eyebrows, even the kind of hairstyle. But as time went by, nasanay na rin ako na ako lang. Before, medyo kinakabahan pa ko kasi there was a time na dapat sundin kasi usually it’s for opening numbers on the show. But when I got used to it, keri ko na mag-isa na lang.
What’s the most difficult makeup transformation that you’ve done?
I’d say the most difficult was Beyonce. It took me almost three weeks of practice, every other night, before nakita kong lumabas yung face niya. I don’t know why, but maybe because her face is soft and there’s not much prominent features. Unlike the likes of Angelina Jolie—all I need is contouring and big lips, Angelina na agad.
Of all the makeup transformations that you’ve done, do you have a personal favorite?
My favorites are Angelina and Mariah Carey. Angelina because she’s my first. Mariah because her character that I used in Eat Bulaga was really funny. She had a production number just doing her ‘whistle’ the entire song, ha ha ha! Another one would be Julia Roberts, because I never thought I would look like her.
How easy/difficult is it to do a makeup transformation? How many pictures do you study? How many looks? How many tries do you do before posting on IG?
Before, it was very difficult. Maybe because I only have one or two of the same photo as reference. Now, I try to get as many pictures in different makeup, different angles, different poses as possible so I would have a bunch for reference. Then after the makeup, I take lots of pictures of myself in different angles and projections. Then, I scan my photos. Once I get to see the celebrating in the photos, I post them on my IG account.
Are there any pending makeup transformations we can look forward to in the near future? Can you name us one? Or at least give us a clue?
No pending makeup transformation at the moment. I’m thinking of the ones I did before that didn’t photograph well.
What will you come as, this Halloween?
Hmm. No costumes yet for Halloween.
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