Paolo Contis on his relationship with Lian Paz: "We're getting there."

Author: Elyas Isabelo Salanga

Startalk first gave the news about Paolo Contis and EB Babes member Lian Paz's "relationship." And though the two looked like more than friends, Paolo said that he and Lian are friends and that he isn't in a hurry to enter another relationship.

"Lalabas at lalabas naman din 'yan, e, pag meron na. So, hindi ko minamadali. Parang timing lang 'yan," said Paolo.

In the wake of their closeness are rumors and bad comments. One column stated that Paolo felt sorry for Lian due to the negative comments that she gets.

Another column item said that Paolo supposedly got a letter from Lian's mom saying that she was thankful to him for coming into the life of Lian and that she trusted him. Meanwhile, rumors spread that Paolo and Lian were already seeing each other even before.

Yesterday, January 10, Paolo and Lian appeared live on Startalk in front of hosts Joey de Leon, Butch Francisco, Ricky Lo, and Lolit Solis to finally give light on the true status of their relationship. Not wasting time, Startalk co-host Joey de Leon asked, "Kayo na ba talaga?"

"Hindi namin masasabi na kami, but we're getting there. We're on the way. We're formally dating," Paolo said.

After the negative comments on Lian popped up, did she feel bad in any way? How did this news reach her?

"Ang bilis ko daw nakapag-move on," Lian said. "Ang bilis ko daw magpalit ng boyfriend. Hindi daw kami bagay, mga ganoon. Ang sa akin lang, naaapektuhan ako. Pero more than me, naaapektuhan ang pamilya ko."

Well, of course, Paolo is there to defend her, right?

"Oo," said Lian. "Masaya ako kasi nandiyan siya para ipagtanggol ako. Sa issue na yun, na madaling makapag move-on. Siguro kasi sa mga na-experience ko, na hindi ibig sabihin na madali ka nakapag-move on, e, ganoon ka na klaseng babae. Everybody has the right to be happy. Hindi na dapat magmukmok lang."

This time, it was Butch Francisco's turn to ask. He asked Paolo, "Totoo ba na sumulat sa iyo ang mommy ni Lian?"

"It was Christmas card ng mommy niya sa akin," Paolo confirmed. "Yun nga, na-mention niya. Nag-thank you na inaalagan ko si Lian and nakikita naman nila totoo naman, e."

What does Lian feel about Paolo defending Lian against negative comments?

"Masarap pakinggan na for the first time may nagtanggol sa akin na lalake," smiled Lian.

Lolit interjected, "Ibig sabihin, hindi ka pinagtanggol ni Mark Herras at Jeff Tan?"

Mark Herras and Jeff Tan, by the way, are Lian's former boyfriends.

Laughing at Lolit's remark, Paolo joked, "Sa laki naman ng katawan ko, e, mas kaya ko naman siyang ipagtanggol!"

How exactly did Paolo defend Lian? Did he confront those who wrote the comments?

"Minsan pag ini-interview siya, e, sinasagot niya yung mga nasa write-ups. Ipinagtatanggol niya ako," Lian said.

Paolo followed, "Hangga't hindi naman sobrang below the belt, e, puwede naman. Unfair lang for her. Wala silang karapatan manghusga ng tao. In the first place, yung mga kunyari concerned sa akin na, 'O, wag 'yan, wag 'yan.' Wala naman kayong karapatan. Buhay ko 'yan, e."

"Sino yun?" Lolit immediately asked.

"Basta," Paolo smiled. "Kilala n'yo na kung sino kayo. Wala kayong kuwentang tao... Nai-in love lang ako lalo. Walang kuwenta ginagawa n'yo. 'Yan tuloy, nahuhulog ako lalo. Kasalanan n'yo din."

THE EX. Ricky Lo commented that Paolo's ex-girlfriend Isabel Oli is being linked to a basketball player. What does he think about this?

"Kung totoo, good for her," said Paolo. "Gusto ko din na masaya rin siya, di ba?"

There was news that in one party gathering, Isabel was with the basketball player and Paolo was with Lian. Did they cross paths?

"Muntik," Paolo said. "Muntik na. Hindi ko lang alam. Nagkasalisi lang kami. Tapos, siguro hindi pa panahon na magkita kita kami."

So if ever they all see each other, will they greet?

"Oo naman," Lian answered.

THE QUALITIES. What does Lian like in Paolo?

"Gusto ko siyempre yung sense of humor niya," Lian said. "Lagi kasi niya akong pinapatawa, so walang kaming dull moments together. Tapos, yung pagiging protective niya sa akin. Pag kasama ko siya, feeling ko secured ako."

How about Paolo? Aside from beauty, what else does he see in Lian?

Paolo began with, "Para sa akin, napaka-thoughtful niya at napaka-sweet and caring..."

"'Yan din sabi mo kay Isabel, e!" Lolit interjected. Paolo just laughed.

"Iba siya mag-alaga. Iba," Paolo smiled. "

Valentine's is fast approaching. Will they formally announce their relationship?

Paolo smiled, "Kailangan pa ba?"

MESSAGE TO EACH OTHER. Paolo was first to give his message to Lian. "Thank you, dumating ka sa buhay ko. Pangako ko, poprotektahan kita kahit anong mangyari. Alam ko medyo mabilis ang mga pangyayari sa atin, at I'll do my best na para hindi naman mabilis matapos yun. Sorry, mahal kita, ano'ng magagawa ko?"

Lian: "Paolo, thank you dahil nandito ka para protektahan ako at nandiyan ka palagi pag kailangan ko ng someone. Masaya ako...na dumating ka sa buhay ko at thank you dahil pati family ko, e, you make them feel secure sa mga nangyayari sa atin ngayon. Sana kung ano ka ngayon, tayo, ganoon pa din."

Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal