Toni Gonzaga & Paul Soriano: "We're Stronger Than Ever"

As the dust settles from a controversial campaign season, Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano find new peace, gratitude, and hope in a partnership that proves stronger than ever

In their personal and professional lives, Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano are diametrically opposed. Since plunging into the entertainment industry at just 13 years old, Gonzaga has hosted many of the nation’s most popular television shows (Pinoy Big Brother, ASAP), featured in iconic commercials, starred in numerous films, released multiple albums, and hosted concerts and tours locally and abroad. Soriano, meanwhile, is widely revered for his work behind the scenes as a filmmaker. The president and CEO of Ten17P has spearheaded a rich portfolio of ground-breaking and award-winning films, including Thelma (2012) and Siargao (2017). “We know our roles,” he explains of their relationship. “That’s kind of how our partnership works. She’s made a career being the best—[whether via] acting, singing, interviewing, hosting, you name it—in front of the camera, and I try to do the same behind the camera.”

Above Paul Soriano wears Neric Beltran tuxedo and inner top while Toni Gonzaga wears Neric Beltran dress and B.O.G. Fine Jewelry earrings

This contrast extends beyond their lives in the limelight. At home, Gonzaga assumes a meeker position. “With Toni, I’ve learnt to listen—she’s reticent; she likes to observe,” Soriano says. Gonzaga admits, “I was always a keeper of my emotions. I realised that keeping things in would only hurt the marriage more. Paul taught me to express myself and be myself. He taught me how to communicate my feelings.” Their disparate personalities are again reflected in their parenting styles when it comes to Seve, their six-year-old son. “Paul is the disciplinarian, and I’m the nurturer in the family,” says Gonzaga. Soriano agrees: “I’m trying to be a cool dad, but at the same time, I’m very strict when it comes to discipline: you have to be respectful, you have to listen, you have to be nice, you have to learn from your mistakes.”

Naturally, one can’t help but wonder what friction might arise from such a foil. “Have we ever clashed? Well, of course. We always clash,” Soriano says. “But the more we clash, the greater the things we create. We don’t force our principles and ideas on one another, which is also why our partnership works. We hear each other out, we debate—if we agree, great; if we disagree, that’s fine too.”

Paul likes to champion me. He taught me how to have a vision; he likes to take that leap of faith—I’m more calculated. Paul has faith in me more than I have faith in myself sometimes.

- Toni Gonzaga -

In the past few years, the two have collaborated on far more projects than ever, strengthening their marriage and their independent careers. Recently, Gonzaga has taken the time to master the ropes that her husband is so intimately familiar with, trying her hand at producing, editing and writing. “What’s interesting and exciting is that Toni is excelling behind the camera,” says her proud spouse, beaming. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going in front of the camera,” he jokes.

Their professional partnership led to Toni Talks, Gonzaga’s Youtube interview talk show released under her content production studio Toni Gonzaga Studio. With Soriano’s guidance and encouragement, Gonzaga has cemented her status as an entrepreneur, commanding her own independent platform for the first time. “Paul likes to champion me,” she says. “He taught me how to have a vision; he likes to take that leap of faith—I’m more calculated. Paul has faith in me more than I have faith in myself sometimes.”

Above Gonzaga wears Mark Bumgarner dress and Mei Diamond jewellery, while son Seve wears Neric Beltran tuxedo and inner top

Soriano has never been one to play it safe, but it is the risk and unpredictability of filmmaking that keep him interested in the craft. “That grind, that challenge, that opportunity is what excites me the most,” he says. “I failed many times, and I know I will continue to fail, but I will keep learning. I think failure is learning ... What’s important is that I see it through, whether or not it’s scary—actually, the scarier, the better.”

His penchant for risk-taking has not always been received in a positive light. Soriano’s father is first cousin to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, and the families are close. Midway through 2021, over Sunday lunch at the Marcos residence, the politician divulged his intentions to run for president. “He goes, ‘You know, I think I’m going to run for the presidency. What do you think, Paul?’,” Soriano recalls, adding that he promised he and Gonzaga would support him.

People want you to fail. I think proving them wrong by doing great work is one of the best things you can do.

- Paul Soriano -

Soon after, Marcos appeared as a guest star on Gonzaga’s interview talk show, resulting in one of the most popular and controversial episodes thus far. “Little did we know that his interview on Toni Talks, which was aired on September 13, 2021, would receive all sorts of publicity: the good, the bad, the ugly,” Soriano says. “We had a little bit of everything. It’s what the president said that kickstarted his campaign.” Add to that Soriano’s producing close to 20 commercials for the presidential campaign, and Gonzaga appearing onstage at rallies throughout the country, and the couple soon found themselves the subject of intense public scrutiny and ridicule.

“The toughest part of that journey was to be silent amid all the accusations, lies and judgements people were throwing at me,” Gonzaga says of the backlash. Soriano says that while he doesn’t tend to let himself be affected by the opinions of people he doesn’t know, “People want you to fail. I think proving them wrong by doing great work is one of the best things you can do.”

Above Soriano wears The Bob top and Gonzaga wears, Miladay Jewels earrings, B.O.G Fine Jewelry bracelet and necklace

Yet the pair gained strength and self-belief from the experience. “I have no ill feelings, no negative energy towards anyone that spoke ill of me, spoke negatively of my wife and I,” Soriano says. “If you’re doing something that’s affecting them and worthy of a response, you must be doing something relevant—and if they think [what you’re doing] is wrong, that’s their right.

“But as much as there was hate, there was ten times, a hundred times more love,” he adds. “We’re so thankful for the new great relationships we’ve made because of the campaign. We’ve also matured; we know who is worth our time, which is worth our emotions and feelings, and whom we’ll invest in. Anyone else outside that doesn’t matter.” The difficulties also bolstered their relationship. “We’re stronger than ever, at peace and grateful for everything that we’ve been through,” Gonzaga says.

Above Soriano wears Neric Beltran inner top while son Seve wears Neric Beltran tuxedo and inner top

Although Soriano has been looped into a few upcoming projects with the Department of Health and the Department of Tourism, the couple are steadily moving away from politics to refocus on projects previously put on pause, including Gonzaga’s new show, Toni, on All TV and a handful of films for both. “I will always continue to do what I’m doing until I decide to stop,” Soriano says. “Hopefully, Seve will be proud of me.”

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