Czarina Faith Abuso

Paulo Avelino says he'll ‘step away from everything’ in a playful post

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Paulo Avelino had fans doing a double take after he announced that he would be “stepping away from everything” by October 31.</p><p>On August 28, the actor shared a humorous statement on social media, addressing his fans, <em>kababayans</em>, and the people he has worked with as he announced his supposed decision to step away from work starting October 31. </p><p>“After a lot of prayer and some hard conversations at home, I’m stepping away from everything effective October 31. The movies, the teleserye, all my endorsements. Everything,” Paulo wrote. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/2/17/paulo-avelino-on-the-real-score-with-kim-chiu-100-yung-score-ko-1933" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ:Paulo Avelino on the ‘real score’ with Kim Chiu: ‘100 yung score ko’</strong></a></div><p>The dramatic opening, however, came with a humorous explanation. </p><p>The actor revealed that he would be “stepping away” to enjoy the upcoming releases of online games Grand Theft Auto VI and Path of Exile 2, which are scheduled to arrive on November 19 and December 11, respectively. </p><p>“GTA 6 is out November 19. PoE 2 hits 1.0 on December 11, and they finally added swords. I watched the Extended Look last night and I have not been okay since,” he quipped.  </p><p>Grand Theft Auto, popularly known as GTA, is an open-world action-adventure game series known for its expansive virtual cities, missions, and free-roaming gameplay. On August 28, Netflix released its extended look. </p><p>Meanwhile, Path of Exile is a free-to-play online action role-playing game set in a dark fantasy world. </p><p>“To my legal counsel, please tell everyone lining up to sue me that I’m available March 2027. I’ll have 100% GTA completion and a build nobody can touch by then. Sue me at my peak,” he joked. </p><p>“Wag niyo ako i tag sa clips. Babalik din ako. Basta. God bless po,” the actor concluded. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DckNefVSgPQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1071019.3999999762%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>While Paulo&#x27;s post was clearly meant as a joke, fans who were unfamiliar with the games initially wondered why the actor would suddenly be &quot;stepping away&quot; from his showbiz commitments, with some even researching the games he mentioned.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/2/17/kim-chiu-reveals-paulo-avelino-sent-her-valentine-s-flowers-shares-how-they-spent-the-day-of-hearts-1613" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ:Kim Chiu reveals Paulo Avelino sent her Valentine&#x27;s flowers, shares how they spent the day of hearts</strong></a></div><p>Others quickly caught on to the punchline and shared how much they relate to his excitement over their upcoming releases. </p><p>“Paulo naman eh!!! As I was reading through the message, this is just a joke 😁🤣. Good luck on gaming 😂,” one fan commented. </p><p>“Pareho kayo ng asawa ko, Pau! Haha. Hindi ko na yata makikita anino neto. Sa sobrang excited sa GTA 6, nag file nang leave. 😂,” another wrote. </p><p>“Lakas ng trip mo pau. Haha. Yung asawa ko hindi din mapakali sa GTA 6 na yan. 😅,” one more said. </p><p>His fellow actors, including Khalil Ramos and Pepe Herrera, also expressed how much they share the same anticipation as Paulo for the upcoming releases.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcC6GPtkQRi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A1071029.6000000238%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Paulo&#x27;s playful announcement comes as no surprise to longtime fans who know that gaming has been a longtime passion for the award-winning actor. </p><p>Over the years, he has also found a way to share that interest with his followers by streaming some of his gaming sessions. In 2021, he became a partner in LuponWXC, an esports company in the Philippines. </p><p>At the time, Paulo described gaming as another form of entertainment and looked forward to seeing more opportunities emerge from the industry. </p><p>“I think this industry is also entertainment at the end of the day. At kung entertainment ito, parang in the future I’m sure there’s gonna be more projects, more plans, and hopefully makasama namin kayo pag nangyari yung mga yun,” he said. </p><p>When asked whether he would choose acting or gaming, Paulo maintained: “I fell in love with games so parang it was always a part of me and my personality. Pero yung acting talaga sa akin, parang calling siya. Hindi ko rin naman inexpect na mag-aartista ako. Siguro ano lang talaga ako sa lahat ng pinapasok ko, nao-OC ako. Gusto ko alam ko lahat, alam ko paano gawin.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787922541260Paulo video game streaming.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>His interest in competitive gaming also goes way back. During the company’s virtual media conference, Paulo recalled joining online gaming competitions while he was still in high school, even earning as much as ₱50,000 from one contest. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787922520381Paulo miniature painting.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Gaming is not Paulo&#x27;s only creative pastime, either. Away from the screen, he also enjoys hand-painting miniature action figures and motorcycle riding.  </p><p>For now, however, fans can rest easy as Paulo&#x27;s “hiatus” appears to be nothing more than a playful countdown to his next gaming marathon. </p><p>Paulo is set to return to the big screen alongside Kim Chiu in the upcoming film<em> A Perfect Marriage,</em> directed by Dan Villegas.</p>

<p>Paulo Avelino playfully announces plans to ‘step away from everything’ starting October 31 as he shares excitement over the release of upcoming video games GTA 6 and Path of Exile 2. </p>

Paulo Avelino playfully announces plans to ‘step away from everything’ starting October 31 as he shares excitement over the release of upcoming video games GTA 6 and Path of Exile 2.

‘Babalik din ako’: Paulo Avelino says he'll ‘step away from everything’ in a playful post

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Celebrities

‘Babalik din ako’: Paulo Avelino says he'll ‘step away from everything’ in a playful post

Alyana De Guzman,

Push Team

Published August 28, 2026 09:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Paulo Avelino

Kim Chiu

gaming

acting

GTA 6

Grand Theft Auto

Streaming

online games

PUSH

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.