POLO RAVALES’ contract with GMA-7 has expired but he’s thankful that he continues to get assignments from them. He now plays an important role in “Kambal Sirena”. “I play Ataba, a merman so may fish tail ako rito,” he says. “I start na mabait as the assistant of Angelika de la Cruz who’s Queen Arowana of Serenadia, pero babaligtad ako later at magiging kontrabida. It’s a difficult role, una kasi nag-aral muna ko ng diving and swimming lessons. Sa lahat ng kontrabida roles na nagampanan ko, pinakamahirap ito kasi yung costume pa lang, ang bigat na noong buntot at may nakalagay pang fins and scales sa dibdib ko, sa ulo ko, sa balikat ko. Problema pag jijingle ka kasi walang zipper yung buntot, kailangang hubarin mo talaga. Tapos binibitin kami on harness at kailangan horizontal ang porma ng katawan mo kasi kailangang lumabas na lumalangoy ka sa chroma special effects. Mahirap mag-balance at masakit both sa upper and lower part ng katawan. Pero enjoy naman kami kapag napanood na namin sa monitor yung mga kuha, ang gandang panoorin. Kaya sulit ang hirap namin for this show. Alam naming matutuwa ang viewers sa sirenaseryeng ito.”
How come he’s doing more villain roles nowadays? He was also kontrabida in his last show, “Pyra, Babaeng Apoy”. “Okay lang, enjoy naman ako. Being a villain has many dimensions. Marami kang mukhang puwedeng ipakita. Kapag bida ka kasi, bukod sa nakasalalay sa iyo ang buong istorya, may sinusunod kang mold sa pag-arte. So mas enjoy na ko magkontrabida.”
About his lovelife, he admits having a non-showbiz girlfriend, Shasta Munsayac. He was previously linked to Sunshine Dizon, Alesandra de Rossi, Jean Garcia and Ara Mina. “This is my longest relationship so far kasi four years na kami. Magkasosyo kami sa isang restaurant sa BF Homes Paranaque and it’s doing quite well. Maayos naman lahat.”
He’s also doing a new movie, “Kasal”, a Cinemalaya entry directed by Jay Altarejos, with former child actor Mhyco Aquino as his lover. The story is about a gay marriage, somewhat like the wedding of Jun Lana and Perci Intalan in New York early this year. This is Polo’s second gay love story. The first was “Walang Kawala” in 2008, helmed by Joel Lamangan.
