Paolo Bediones is no longer a Kapuso. Despite the success “Survivor Philippines” he has been enjoying on GMA-7, Paolo has decided to move over to the reinforced TV5 that threatens not just to match warring networks ABS-CBN and GMA-7 but eventually overtake them and lord over Philippine TV starting next year.

Paolo told the entertainment press at the TV5 Christmas party late Thursday night that moving to TV5 was the hardest decision he had to make in his career. He said, “To be able to decide whether I would stay with GMA-7 or to go to TV5, ang daming sleepless nights. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nandoon ako sa sitwasyon na ‘yon na I had the opportunity to decide. I had the best of both worlds, you see. TV5, they were offering something new; GMA-7, they were offering a fresh contract again. Nandoon talaga lahat ng mga elements of a situation wherein mahihirapan ka talaga.”

He felt he arrived at the crossroads. “After the second season ng ‘Survivor Philippines,‘ nararamdaman ko na na parang, ‘Saan ako pupunta? Ano na ang gagawin ko?’ Next year, puro franchise ang mao-offer sa akin, will I be hoping and praying na sa akin mapunta? Kasi, ‘yong career ko hybrid, e. Wala namang ganung career talaga, di ba? It’s either actor ka or singer ka or host ka or newscaster ka. Ako ‘yong pahalu-halo, ‘tapos ang format ko sa News and Public Affairs was ‘Survivor,’ ‘Extra Challenge,‘ ‘Tok Tok Tok,’ hindi siya talaga pang-News and Public Affairs.”

Paolo was honest enough to have shared the offer from TV5 was something that was hard to refuse.

“Ultimately, what made me decided was that the offer of TV5 included a position in management. ‘Yon ang gusto natin talaga – ang maging instrumento sa pagbabago ng industriya natin, mayroon tayong ide-develop na mga talent, mayroon din tayong mga shows na iko-conceptualize din. ‘Yon talaga ang nagpa-decide sa akin. After the [‘Survivor Philippines: Palau‘] finale, nag-iisip na talaga ako, ‘What’s gonna happen to me what do I wanna do?’ Then, TV5 came with a very fresh offer nga, ‘yon nga, a management position and opportunity to do things I’ve never done in my life.”

Paolo started his career with GMA Network via “Channel S” in 1995 on GMA before he became a regular of “Mornings @ GMA.” His breakthrough hosting job came in 1999, when he hosted the magazine show “Extra! Extra!” which later became the ground-breaking “Extra Challenge” has evolved. The show started the era of reality shows on Philippine television and it’s a consistent top-rater from beginning to end.

A few weeks back, Paolo guested on TV5’s “Talentadong Pinoy” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” before Paolo reportedly said a tearful goodbye to GMA-7 last Thursday.

There had been counter-offers from GMA-7 but Paolo had to decide against them in the end. “Alam mo, ang maganda is this morning and this afternoon, I was in GMA-7 for the last time, nagpaalam ako sa lahat ng mga bossing – kay Jimmy Duavit [Executive Vice President & COO], Atty. Felipe Gozon [Chairman, President & CEO], Ma’am Marissa [Flores, GMA News and Public Affairs head], Ma’am Wilma [Galvante, SVP for entertainment TV] ay nasa Singapore, and lahat ng nakatrabaho ko. So, may iyakan, may emotional. But at the end of the day, doon ko na-realize na ang ganda ng relationship ko with GMA-7. When they said, ‘Sige, go ahead, we understand. Wala tayong masamang pinagsamahan, wala tayong samaan ng loob,’ ‘yon ang nagpagaan sa akin.”

Paolo continued of the emotional GMA farewell: “They were happy for me. Sabi nila, ‘Sige, make us proud and you do good there.’ Kasi, di ba, parang ganun lang ‘yon, e. Sila ang nagturo sa akin, kung ano ang natutunan ko ay dadalhin ko dito, and we’re gonna help jumpstart TV5. That’s an honor for me, na ako ang unang-unang napili ng TV5 na gawing exclusive na talent. ‘Yong samahan, respeto sa isa’t-isa, dadalhin ko dito sa TV5. Mami-miss ko ‘yong passion ng tao sa work. Yon din ang dadalhin ko dito, the kind of passion that I have and, I don’t know, the next year, the next two years, ay palalakihin natin ang TV5.”

Hayden attempts suicide anew

Hayden Kho reportedly attempted suicide, sources told Juicy Corner on Friday.

Hayden was said to be in Tagaytay and was rushed to a hospital in Silang, Cavite for immediate medical attention.

Hayden’s camp could not be reached for details at the moment.

Gretchen’s comeback will push through minus Claudine

Gretchen Barretto is bent on doing her major comeback, even without Claudine Barretto who just moved over to GMA-7. “No, it will push through,” said Gretchen in a report from Manila Bulletin Online.

Gretchen added, “They added Bea in the cast. She will now be doing the role intended for Claudine.” She also revealed that the show will probably start airing in February.

Claudine’s Ate admitted to feeling disappointed when she learned she would not be able to work with Claudine in the still-to-be-titled project. “I felt bad… I felt sad. I think, more than anything, it made me sad. I was looking forward to working with her, but maybe it’s God’s will that we separate ways [in terms of work]. I’m sure we will be given another chance to do a series or whatever in the future.”

The sisters still have to talk about the latest career development in Claudine’s part but Gretchen said her sister has yet to return her calls.