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Venancio Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968), better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and retired professional basketball player who played for the Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season. As its star center, Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles.
In 1990, Paras would lead Shell to their first Open Conference title by defeating Anejo Rhum in a championship series that finished in 6 games, the climax featured a walkout by Anejo players. In 1991, Shell and Ginebra would meet again in the Finals of the Reinforced Conference. Paras and the Turbo Chargers seemed poised to beat the Gins once again after taking a commanding 3–1 lead, but the Gins made a dramatic rally and coming back from the 3–1 deficit and winning the title in a classic Game 7 encounter that featured Rudy Distrito's game winner.
In 1992, Paras and the rejuvenated Turbo Chargers, now with Leo Isaac and Rey Cuenco, led Shell to another title, winning it over the San Miguel Beermen. After the 1992 title, Paras and Shell would show inconsistencies as it flirted to the cellars in several occasions. This was also capped with a controversy back in 1993 when Paras sat out for one conference after a contract dispute with Shell that prompted him to demand a trade deal to rival team Anejo Rhum. But after Shell rejected trade offers for their prized center, he decided to concentrate on his movie and TV career. After Paras came back to the team in the 1993 PBA Commissioner's Cup, the team never made it back to the Finals until the 1996 Commissioner's Cup, thanks in part to import Kenny Redfield and supporting casts such as Peter Naron, Richie Ticzon, Victor Pablo, and Jojo Lim. In 1996, they battled the grandslam seeking Alaska Aces, then known as the Alaska Milkmen, in an unbelievable seven-game series which Alaska won. Paras was also a contender to win the MVP in the 1996 season of the PBA.
Paras would then re-enter the Finals 2 years later in the Centennial Cup Finals, this time meeting the Tropang TNT. In a one-game title showdown, Shell came up short. Paras would get his revenge thanks to the help of Noy Castillo and Gerry Esplana as the rematch was set for the Governor's Cup Finals of the PBA against Mobiline. Shell came back after trailing the series 3 games to 2. Shell and Mobiline battled into a gruelling 7 games until Shell prevailed due to timely baskets by Paras and Esplana.
In 1999, Paras dominated the Filipino-American laden PBA by leading Shell to another Finals appearance, this time against Tanduay Rhum Makers bannered by Fil-Am Eric Menk and the deported Sonny Alvarado. Paras held his own against the two taller, stronger and more athletic Fil-Ams as he led Shell to another title winning it 4–2. That would be Paras' last title, as his team was unable to stop the San Miguel Beermen in the title showdown for the Commissioner's Cup. Paras would win his 2nd MVP since 1989.
He has acted in local films and television shows. He appeared in Narito Ang Puso Ko, his first drama series on GMA Network, he also appeared in a former sitcom, Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita, a weekly sitcom by GMA and also starred in Encantadia, as the Ascano barbarian, Wahid. He was also the host of ABC's local version of Guinness Book of Records. He also flexed his acting muscles by playing offbeat roles in Lupin (as Richard Gutierrez's gay inmate) and Fantastic Man (as one of Mark Herras' villains). In late 2007, he became one of main casts in Bong Revilla's movie, Resiklo, which is an entry in Metro Manila Film Festival. He was also the main host for the short-lived late night ABC 5 (now TV5) game show, WinWinWin. In November 2007, he was cast as one of the fictional characters for Richard Gutierrez's former fantaserye on GMA 7, Kamandag, as Haring Dinggol, king of the human-apes. Paras recently finished his GMA 7 comedy teleserye, Adik Sa'Yo with Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal. Benjie Paras also worked with boxer Manny Pacquiao in a GMA 7 Sitcom, Show Me Da Manny. Paras was back again on GMA Telebabad for the role as a villain in a recent drama-fantaserye, The Last Prince. Benjie returns to comedy via a reality comedy program, Ang Yaman ni Lola. Benjie returns once again in a 1st Christmas reality show and is now included in a newest GMA 7 Christmas reality show, Puso Ng Pasko: Artista Challenge which he was a challenger. Benjie returns to drama again via Bantatay which he plays Jace Ventura, a pet detective. Benjie is now on his former show a horror-comedy anthology, Spooky Nights Presents: The Ringtone. Benjie returns to comedy again and his 4th fantaserye Alice Bungisngis And Her Wonder Walis in 2012.
Paras played as the best friend of Vic Sotto in the film and the best friend of Vhong Navarro's best friend in the movie My Only U.
In mid-2012, Benjie Paras returned to the drama again in a romantic teleserye One True Love.
| 1987–1998 | Palibhasa Lalake | ||
| 1989 | Last Two Minutes: The Sitcom | ||
| Ang Tabi Kong Mamaw | |||
| Young Love, Sweet Love | Various roles | ||
| 1990–1992 | Estudyante Blues | ||
| Just the 3 of Us | |||
| 1993–1998 | Oki Doki Doc | ||
| Haybol Rambol | |||
| 1998–2003 | Kool Ka Lang | Jie | |
| 2003–2004 | Narito ang Puso Ko | Boyong | |
| Kakabaka-Boo | |||
| Kakabakaba Adventures | |||
| 2003–2007 | Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita | Junior | |
| Guinness Book of World Records Philippine Edition | |||
| Naks! | |||
| Wag Kukurap | Various roles | ||
| GMA Telecine Specials | |||
| Campus Romance | |||
| Mikee | |||
| Dear Mikee | |||
| Sa Dako Pa Roon | |||
| Gags Must Be Crazy | |||
| 2005–2006 | My Guardian Abby | ||
| 2005 | Encantadia | Wahid | |
| 2005–2006 | |||
| 2006 | |||
| Family Zoo | |||
| Love to Love | |||
| 2007 | Lupin | Generoso/Jenny | |
| Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang | Higanteng Amok | ||
| Fantastic Man | Gobo | ||
| Magic Kamison | Pancho | ||
| Boys Nxt Door | Badong | ||
| Kamandag | Dinggol | ||
| 2007–2020 | Maynila | Various roles | |
| Finish Line | |||
| Win Win Win | |||
| 2008–2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Various roles | |
| 2008–2009 | Gagambino | Stalin | |
| 2009 | Adik Sa'Yo | Benjo | |
| Clear Men Future League | |||
| 2009–2011 | Show Me Da Manny | Oscar Paredes | |
| 2010 | The Last Prince | Rizayo | |
| Ang Yaman ni Lola | Benjo Cabagnot | ||
| Challenger | |||
| Bantatay | Jace | ||
| 2011 | |||
| Futbolilits | Harrison Fortunato | ||
| Manny Many Prizes | Himself (co-host) | ||
| 2012 | Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis | Timoteo/Tim | |
| One True Love | Douglas | ||
| Toda Max | Benjo | ||
| 2013 | Wagas | Various roles | |
| Got to Believe | Chito Tampipi | ||
| Video Incredible | |||
| 2013–2016 | Wansapanataym | Various roles | |
| 2014 | Tunay na Buhay | Himself (guest) | |
| 2015–2019 | NBA | Himself (sports commentator) | |
| 2015 | Nathaniel | Abner Bartolome | |
| The Half Sisters | Peter | Uncredited | |
| Sabado Badoo | Himself (guest) | ||
| And I Love You So | Joey Ramirez | ||
| 2016–2020 | Dear Uge | Various roles | |
| 2016 | Tsuperhero | Makutoks | |
| 2016–2017 | Trops | Coach Fred | |
| 2017 | The Promise of Forever | Geoffrey Madrid | |
| The Lolas' Beautiful Show | Himself (guest) | ||
| 2017–2019 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Various roles | |
| 2018 | Bagani | Bernardo Carpio | |
| Victor Magtanggol | Erwin Bravo | ||
| Barangay 143 | Abdul | ||
| Daddy's Gurl | Tom | ||
| 2019 | The Boobay and Tekla Show | Himself (guest) | |
| Ipaglaban Mo! | Various roles | ||
| 2019–2022 | Prima Donnas | Agaton Salazar | |
| 2020 | Mars Pa More | Himself (guest) | |
| Fill in the Bank | Himself (celebrity player) | ||
| Sunday 'Kada | Himself (guest) | ||
| Lunch Out Loud | |||
| Iba Yan! | |||
| 2021 | Wanted ang Serye | ||
| Kapitan | |||
| Sing Galing | Himself (celebrity player) | ||
| 2021–2022 | Agimat ng Agila | Sgt. Wesley Dimanahan | |
| 2022 | Start-Up PH | Himself (guest) | |
| Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa | Mr. Rico Nero Cusin | ||
| Emerson | |||
| 2023 | The Iron Heart | Aphroditus "Aphro" Viray | |
| Royal Blood | Otep | ||
| 2024 | How to Spot a Red Flag | Ime | |
| 2025 | Kapre | ||
| Ghosting | Kiko | ||
| Rainbow Rumble | Himself (celebrity player) |
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