Did You Know? Paolo Ballesteros Is Related to National Artist Fernando Amorsolo
Mama Pao’s artistry certainly runs in the blood.
by Kyla Villena
Published on Oct 7, 2026
Paolo Ballesteros has been the talk of the town following his cameo in the grand finale of Drag Race México: Latino Royale, with netizens calling him “RuPaul for the international franchises” and “the best international judge.”
For the uninitiated, Paolo is the host of Drag Race Philippines, the local adaptation of the titular show that originated in the United States and is led by RuPaul, a.k.a. the Queen of Drag.
Before he was known as Mama Pao in the global drag community, Paolo had already been making a name for himself with his stunning makeup transformations, morphing into female celebrities. The artistry may run in the family, as Paolo is actually the great-grandson of National Artist for Visual Arts Fernando Amorsolo.
Paolo Ballesteros Is a Direct Descendant of Fernando Amorsolo
Fernando Amorsolo, dubbed the Grand Old Man of Philippine Art, cemented his legacy in the visual arts through paintings that feature luminous rural landscapes and vivid depictions of rural life. In 1972, he was posthumously declared the country’s first-ever National Artist.
Varying reports say that he had 14 to 20 children with different partners, among them was Paolo’s paternal grandmother, Virginia Amorsolo. Virginia was also the sister of Gracia Amorsolo, the mother of Filipina actress Eula Valdes, who has likewise pursued the visual arts through oil painting.
Paolo may use his brushes for makeup and his face as a canvas, but his flair for artistry is fitting for a descendant of the legendary painter.
Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.