Just in case you didn’t know, Paulo Avelino has been a dad for nine years now and his precious bundle of joy is named Aki, his son with ex-girlfriend, actress LJ Reyes.

Only a few are aware of this fact because Paulo has always been less vocal about his personal life, especially when it comes to his son. In interviews, Paulo said that what he wants for his son is to live a normal life, in order also for people to see him as Aki, not as someone who has parents in the showbiz industry.

During their bonding moments, Paulo and Aki would always want to go to arcades or playhouses where he can also be with other kids. He would always say how much he loves him so much and how he would always be there for him. The actor would always say that since Aki was born, he has been extra motivated and inspired to do better in his craft.

One of the rare moments in Paulo’s interviews was when he became emotional admitting on Tonight With Boy Abunda how he has always wanted to be a father. During this interview, he was faced with the ‘golden mirror’. Tito Boy asked him: “The man in the mirror, he’s a father, he’s an actor, he’s a boyfriend. Who is he first?” Paulo looked at himself in the mirror, and answered the question straight. “I’ve always wanted to be a father first, but maraming komplikasyon, maraming misunderstandings… but I’ve always wanted to be a father first,” the actor said.

Looking back, Aki arrived in LJ and Paulo’s lives in 2010, and despite the fact that the two decided to end their relationship, they still vowed to be good parents to Aki. That is why both of them have been getting equal quality time to spend with Aki.

Meanwhile, both LJ and Paulo’s current partners also have good relationships with Aki. For instance, Paulo’s girlfriend Jodi Tarasek would have bonding moments with Aki. On the other hand, actor Paolo Contis, LJ’s partner, treats Aki like his own child. He would also always see to it that he loves Aki just as much how he loves LJ.