Celebrating his birthday yesterday, Paolo Contis definitely welcomed his 26th year with many blessings. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez. Photo courtesy of GMA Network. Paolo Contis is one of today’s most talented personalities in show business. He has proven his mettle as an actor and as a host kaya naman hindi nakapagtataka kung bakit sunud-sunod ang kanyang mga shows sa GMA. Katatapos lang niya ng Darna and is currently seen on Show Me Da Manny. Starting today, March 15, viewers can catch him in his new show, ang Wipeout! Wipeout is an international reality series which features 24 daring American contestants na haharap sa apat na rounds ng physically demanding challenges to compete for $50,000. Pero this time, it will be given a Pinoy flavor. Hindi na bago si Paolo sa ganitong genre ng show, kaya naman siguradong hit na naman ito, lalong lalo na ngayong he is teaming up with multi-awarded stage actor/composer Vince de Jesus. Paolo previously hosted the weekly OC to the Max which featured different and sometimes bizarre rituals and exploits ng mga tao all over the world. Of Wipeout, Vince says, “We will have our own spiels and we will also follow some hilarious parts in the episode aired in the US.” Birthday gift Isa na siguro ang Wipeout sa mga natanggap na regalo ni Paolo this year. But the greatest gift for his 26th birthday came last Sunday, March 7, 2010, when his daughter Xonia Aitana was born. “Masayang-masaya ‘ko ngayon, nakuha ko ang pinakamagandang regalo,” ang sabi ni Paolo sa Startalk noong Sabado. Matagal na rin nilang hinintay ang pagdating ni Xonia at excited sina Paolo at Lian Paz to take care of their first child. “I think I’ll be the spoiler, most probably. Pinaghahandaan na namin ‘yan, saka ‘yung baby ko, alam na niya ‘yung boses ko for sure. Kinakausap ko na siya parati…Since nung five months (inside the womb) pa lang, kinakausap ko na yan,” ang kuwento pa ni Paolo sa iGMA.tv. Indeed, Paolo is now a picture of a very happy and contented man at 26. Proud of his daughter and his partner, Paolo is also thankful to GMA for giving him another opportunity to show his talent in hosting and comedy via Wipeout. “I’m very, very thankful kina Ma’am Wilma [Galvante], kila Ms.Linggit. I made sure na hindi sila nawala dun sa sistema ko. Noong naging pregnant si Lian ayokong malaman nila dahil sa chismis noh. Ayokong malaman nila sa iba. They’re my family, so I went to them ibinalita ko sa kanila and they promised na hindi ako pababayaan, and eto nga more blessings talaga.” Watch the pilot episode of Wipeout every Monday and Tuesday, pagkatapos ng Dramarama sa Hapon ng GMA. Pag-usapan si Paolo Contis, ang kanyang bagong show at baby sa mas pinagandang iGMA Forum! Not yet a member? Register here!