Article from manilatimes.net
Thanks to Erning for this information!

Vicor signs up Paolo Montalban
Shirley Matias Pizarro

We’re always so proud to have artists who have Filipino blood making waves abroad. One such artist is Paolo Montalban. That handsome hunk of a guy who stole our attention at the time he stumbled upon a huge break in his career, by bagging the coveted role of Prince Charming in modern day version of “Cinderella” opposite Brandy. The TV show which aired in 1997, also starred Whitney Houston. From that time on, Paolo Montalban was already a figure in every Filipino’s mind as someone who could further give his brown race pride and glory in the entertainment arena internationally.

He recently starred in the Laurice Guillen film “American Adobo” which was also released internationally. So far, Paolo counts his inclusion in the Miramax film, “The Great Raid” which also stars a handful of Filipino actors (among them Cesar Montano) as one of those he cherishes so much. “This is really something. I play the role of one of the three Alamo scouts here,” he quipped.

Anyway, amidst all these Hollywood chores, Paolo took sometime off to come home to the Philippines, attend a family gathering where his Filipina mom promised to bring him along, and record an album for Vicor Music Corp. Yes, Paolo Montalban is now a recording artist in our very own shores. He has recorded more than half of the album that is produced by Sunny Ilacad. “It will be a mixture of original compositions and revival music,” Merle of Vicor proudly told us. During the interview, Vicor executives made us listen to the finished recording of “Kung Alam Mo Lang” and it was wonderful.

Paolo’s voice reminded us of Ariel Rivera’s beautiful voice especially when he was just starting out in this business. We told them they have a carrier single already in that cut. We spoke with Paolo and he has this undeniable American twang when he speaks. That’s why it was a wonder to us listening to him sing the Tagalog song so beautifully, like he has spoken Tagalog all his life. Paolo revealed he really had a hard time studying the words. He said he was coached by his uncle and the producer of the album while he was doing the recording. The album will also carry an OPM original composition by Soc Villanueva, and the song “Ikaw” which was originally sung by Ariel Rivera and Sharon Cuneta. Even Paolo’s suggestions like “She,” “Pure Imagination” and “One,” which inspired Paolo when he heard it on the radio during the celebration of the Fourth World Meeting of Families here, are included in the album which is slated for release in April or May, this year.

Paolo is very happy with the experience to work with the people from Vicor. “They are terribly professional. When I come to every recording session, everything was prepared already. They work very fast. It was nice,” he said. Paolo might have rushed back to the States soon after this interview because he wanted to be in Los Angeles this season, where auditions are being held for television. “I have an agent there and I don’t want to miss the chance to get to audition to something that might be big,” he told us.

Paolo confessed he loves acting more than singing. “I took acting classes in college and I really wanted to enrol in an acting class but it would take time. I will have to sacrifice at least two years to pursue this acting education. So I was thinking, the experience I get from working and being in this profession is also a very good teacher. I couldn’t exchange it for anything,” he said.