Paolo Contis confessed that he’s scared of his daughters dating someone with the same characteristics as him, saying that this is his “greatest fear.”

Paolo Contis. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/YoüLOL

In a “Your Honor” podcast interview with Tuesday Vargas and Buboy Villar on Saturday, January 4, Contis said his daughters’ getting into a relationship is something that he had always been ready for. However, he’s scared of them meeting someone who has the same qualities as him.

The “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” host has three daughters: Xonia Aitana and Xalene Abriana from his estranged wife Lian Paz, and Summer Ayana with ex-partner LJ Reyes.

“It’s gonna happen anyway. Wala ka magagawa (You can’t do anything about it),” he said. The “Faraway Land” star was then asked for his reaction should his daughters also get into a grating relationship such as he did with his ex-partners.

“‘Yun ang number one na ikinakatakot ko (That’s my number one fear),” he said immediately.

Contis was also asked about the possibility of his daughters ending up in a relationship with someone who was like his younger self.

“Sasampalin ko agad,” he said. “Ever since naman, the goal is to be a guy na [‘yung tipong] gusto mong manligaw sa mga anak mo ay tulad mo. Sadly, you make mistakes. Now, masasabi ko na ‘yung Paolo mga 10 or 15 years ago, naku. Diyos ko Lord. Sasampalin ko talaga ‘yan.”

(I will slap him right away. Ever since, the goal is to possess the qualities of the ideal guy you want your daughters to date. Sadly, you make mistakes. Now, if they end up dating the Paolo about 10 to 15 years ago, oh my God. I will hit them right away.)

Since he’s already 40 years old, Contis said change is an “ongoing process” for him, while hoping that he’s changing for the better.

“It’s an ongoing process. I cannot say that [I have changed] pero nand’un ka na sa process ng pagbabago. Alam mo ang mga mali mo and tinatama mo na ang mali. I’m 40, and kailangan na ‘yun (It’s an ongoing process. I cannot say that I changed already, but I’m in the process of change. I know my mistakes and I’ve been correcting them. I’m 40 now and it’s a must),” he said.

On being friends with an ex

Contis also stressed that exes should be civil and not be friends as a sign of respect when asked by Vargas if he’s friends with any of his exes.

“Civil,” he said. “It’s a different story saying they’re friends and they’re civil. It’s different. And we have reasons to be, ‘diba (right)?” he said. “So ako, hindi ako naniniwala na ang mga mag-ex dapat maging kaibigan (For me, I don’t believe that exes should be friends). Unless you actually have reasons to be.”

The “Faraway Land” star was notably in a relationship with Reyes and Yen Santos, which both ended in controversial breakups. He was recently reported to be dating Arra San Agustin, who categorically denied the rumors last December.

He was also married to Paz in 2009 until they separated three years later. Paz filed for annulment in 2021 but withdrew it in March 2024, per reports.

He was then asked why he doesn’t believe in exes becoming good friends, to which he explained it is a way of respecting both parties, especially if one is already in a relationship with someone else.

“Naghiwalay na kayo. It’s respect to your partner… I mean nakakailang ‘yun. So ‘yung hindi kayo nag-aaway okay ‘yun. ‘Yung civil kayo, like when you see each other, ‘Hey! How are you?’ Pero friends? Like kumustahan ganyan? You had your time na magkumustahan. Bakit ngayon magkukumustahan kayo,” he said.

(You already broke up. It’s respect for your partner. It’s awkward. Now that you’re not fighting anymore, it’s already okay? You can be civil and ask, ‘Hey! How are you?’ when you meet. But friends? You already had your time to know each other better. Why are you doing it again?)

Contis made headlines in January 2023 after revealing that he doesn’t give financial support to his daughters, saying he had been saving up money to personally give to them in the future.