Roderick Paulate’s toughest showbiz critic

IF most parents are supportive of their children’s showbiz careers, Roderick Paulate’s dad was an exception. A typical disciplinarian, his dad — a former department head of The Manila Times — resented his entry into the showbiz fray.

It was Roderick’s doting mom who had his back, cheering him on as he was slowly making a name for himself.

In a lengthy yet insightful vlog interview by Ogie Diaz, the 63-year old actor shared his parents differed in the way he was brought up.

Whereas his mom was his huge fan, his father never cared about what he aspired to achieve in life.

The award-winning actor’s father resented his entry into showbiz but later on accepted his passion for performing. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/RODERICKPAULATE

As a strict newspaper section chief, his father half-heartedly accepted Roderick’s decision to take the showbiz route provided he never got to stumble upon published articles about his son on the Times pages.

It was at a play staged at the University of the Philippines (where Roderick obtained his college degree in mass communication) where the actor churned out an impressive performance that earned him a resounding standing ovation.

The senior Paulate — who was seated in the audience — couldn’t help but marvel at his son’s praiseworthy performance, “You’re really an actor now!”

Since then Roderick couldn’t be any happier that finally, his once non-fan dad made a 360-degree turn.

Consistently, it has been Roderick’s conscious effort to put his best foot forward.

The actor owes a lot to showbiz because without it, he might not have succeeded in transitioning to local politics years later.

This is also precisely the reason why he wouldn’t allow his, ahem, revered name to get sullied nor tarnished.

It is saddening to note that in November of 2022, the Sandiganbayan found Roderick guilty of graft by hiring fictitious job contractors in 2010 while serving as Quezon City Councilor.

Guess how much money was involved — P1.1 million! This columnist believes that the amount in question was too infinitesimal an amount for Roderick to stake his name.

While his appeal was denied in January the following year, Roderick was unperturbed, citing his constituents who believed he was guiltless.

Talking to Ogie: “They said I was imprisoned… is this what they meant by being ‘imprisoned?’ You know, I’m so protective of my name, does anyone think I’ll destroy what I’ve worked hard for? Of course not!”

Even his showbiz friends who know him well enough find the charges levelled at him downright silly.

“I got a call from Ate Vi [Vilma Santos-Recto], who asked, ‘Dick, what is this again?’ Then my other friends were calling me up one by one. In a way, they just wanted to find out, but they hardly believed there’s truth to it.”

The same may be said of his constituents every time he spoke at campaign sorties on stage.

“Imagine, as soon as I open my mouth to talk, someone at the back will already shout: ‘That’s enough! We don’t believe in the charges they filed against you!’ Coming from them, shouldn’t I feel elated and at the same time relieved?”

Despite the ugly side of politics, Roderick doesn’t regret having boldly taken the plunge into public service.

He credits his showbiz roots to keep him combat-trained in facing the odds: “We’re used to intrigue.”

What the actor considers the best, most fulfilling part in the midst of all this intrigue-laden realm of politics though is that: “It’s the smile you see on the faces you’re able to help the best way you can. Seeing their faces light up is one thing much bigger than you can imagine!”

In closing, I’d like to greet my idol happy birthday in advance (April 4). More cake candles to blow!

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GUESS WHO? Prior to bankrolling quality movies, this enterprising producer (EP) already has a slew of existing lucrative business undertakings.

Once the EP met with a well-connected showbiz figure (WCSF) to engage the services of the latter’s talent pool.

Transacting business with the EP proved much too easy as he’s the type who calls a spade a spade. Not only does he fulfill what’s stipulated in the contract, he’s also generous in giving extra incentives.

The contract between the EP and the WCSF lasted for a year. In the process, they evolved into friends with the latter charming her way through him whenever she needed donations.

It was all right with the EP as he believes “pakikisama” (getting along) is just as important in any business relationship.

The WCSF, however, tried to pull one over the EP.

Reveals someone close to the EP: “Imagine, a year has passed (which means their contract already ended), yet WCSF still asked EP to pay for the photos of the artists she endorsed, even though they were already paid for? If that’s not what you call cunning, I don’t know what is!”

Valuing the so-called “pakikisama,” the EP had no choice but to pay for the artists’ already-paid old photos but couldn’t keep the WCSF’s sly words off his mind: “Just don’t tell them that you paid for it!”

In a sense, wasn’t the WCSF “robbing” both the EP and the unknowing artists?