'Can you find The One online?' Paulo Avelino talks modern love and online dating
With online dating, the possibilities are endless. But is that a good or bad thing?
Enter Bumble, the women-first dating and networking app that connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and networking (Bumble Bizz). Since its launch in 2014, the dating app has been rising in popularity as a new way to meet people online, especially with the pandemic putting a halt on physical gatherings.
Though the rules for Bumble are simple, there's an interesting point to wonder: Have celebrities tried online dating? Especially those that already have hordes of fans following their every move.
Goyo and Fan Girl star Paulo Avelino sat down with PhilSTAR L!fe to discuss his thoughts on online dating, option paralysis, and his actual experience with dating apps.
What would be your ideal date?
You know, I'm not really the biggest fan of showing the best of the world, going the extra mile, or being extra sweet [on the first date]. I like being friends and really getting to know the person I'm with. At the same time, her getting to know me as who I am without any bells and whistles.
So you're more of a slow-burn dater?
Pwede din naman mabilis kung type niyo yung isa't-isa *laughs* pero I prefer it that I'm not the type of person who would give flowers or pour rose petals all over the house or fill the bedroom with teddy bears. It's just not me.
Casual dinner lang talaga o better with friends para walang awkwardness. I prefer it with people who can break the ice because I'm not the most talkative person and I run out of topics to talk about.
If you could describe your ideal girl in one word, what would it be?
Simple.
What can you say about online dating?
Ako, I like the online dating setup because you get to gist of the person you would date. At least you get an idea of who that person is before you actually meet them and I think in this era and with all the technology that's the best set-up for now.
Even before this, we were already texting and there was a time nga you would look for text mates sa TV *laughs*.
Have you ever tried online dating? Is it even possible for a celebrity to get into it?
I actually tried it when I was abroad a long, long time ago. I got to meet a person, actually and she ended up being my tour guide na walang bayad. She toured me around the area.
I was abroad for work so I didn't get a lot of time to go out and although it's a dating app, sometimes it's just nice to communicate with someone abroad and ask for suggestions and places to go to get the general idea of the culture. She was actually so kind and so sweet. We turned out to be good friends after.
What are your online dating tips?
The nice thing about Bumble is you don't really force yourself into someone, unlike other dating apps. If you like each other, you can just start talking to the person and nagiging bastos. With Bumble, you really just have to have the patience and wait for the woman to message you first.
Just like in life, with the person you like. If you like each other and it's not meant to be, it won't happen but if the person you matched with messages you then it's a sign that maybe the woman is ready to communicate.
Do you think it's possible to find "The One" online?
I do believe that you can grow up with someone you love because my parents are still together and they've been together since I was born — and I actually have a few friends who met their better half online. And though the online dating scene here is backed up a few years, the story was actually pretty funny and that encouraged me to try Bumble.
On being online, I do think it's possible because you have the choice. People have the choice of who to talk to and who not to talk to. If you want it to be long-term, then make it work out. If you want something short-term you want a coffee date, you just wanna hook up, it's still your choice.
How do you think people can overcome option paralysis when it comes to online dating?
My personal take is that online dating is actually a good thing because it gives people more options that are out of their circle. Because you don't really get to see how vast your choices are until you get out of your circle and one way of doing that is joining the online dating scene of Bumble, especially if you're a woman.
You never know what's out there until you actually get out of your box and give online dating a chance.
Since women are given the opportunity to chat with men first on Bumble, how does this affect the conversation?
It sends a really good signal to us kasi parang diba if you like each other and you message us first, then it's a clear signal that you don't have to go through the process of having a hundred choices or just liking every picture and just waiting. Parang diretso na, let's get to know each other better.
Want to get the chance to go on a date with Paulo Avelino yourself? Bumble is offering its users the opportunity to go on a coffee date with the heartthrob. All you have to do is download Bumble, find Paulo’s promo card by swiping, and enter the question and answer contest.
The special coffee date with Paulo is set on Jan. 8, 2022, with the contest starting from Dec. 15, 2021 until Jan. 2, 2022, so download Bumble and make the first move today.