Gerald loses weight for role in 'Budoy'

Gerald Anderson feels blessed and honored to portray a mentally-challenged man in “Budoy,” where he also plays the title role.

“Malaki yung pressure kasi ako si Budoy, pero masaya ako at naniniwala ako na magugustuhan ito ng mga tao. Sobrang I feel blessed,” Gerald told the press during a set visit in San Juan Gym yesterday.

He says “Budoy” is his most challenging role so far. Gerald previously starred  in various dramas such as “Buhawi Jack,” “Kung Tayo’s Magkakalayo” and “Tayong Dalawa.”

“Challenging (siya) physically and emotionally. Thankful ako dahil binigyan ako ng time para makapag-prepare. Sa preparation kasi hindi ka sigurado kung paano mo gagawin. Pero pagdating sa set, mas naging smooth,” Gerald said.

Gerald prepared a lot and  went through immersions to give justice to his role. He observed special children in Montalban and learned more about their behavior and how they communicate.

“Habang nagkaklase sila, nag-o-observe ako sa loob ng classroom. Tapos yung iba kinakausap ko, pati mga nanay nila, kapatid at kahit yung mga yaya nila, tinatanong ko kung iba ba sila sa bahay at sa labas,” he said.

Gerald also watched various films with mentally-challenged  characters. Among them are Tonton Gutierrez’s “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig,” Aga Muhlach’s “Nag-iisang Bituin,” and foreign movies like “Rainman,” “I am Sam,” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.”

“Malayo siya sa previous roles (ko). Mahirap siya, pero nung nakuha ko, mas naging madali na yung eksena kasi alam ko na how I would react,” Gerald shared.

Before he started taping, Gerald actually put to practice what he learned from his trainings.

“Bago kami nagtaping, sinubukan kong umarte ng gaya ng role ko habang nasa Hong Kong. Tiningnan ko kung believable. Okay naman kasi pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao dun. Sa bahay ginagawa ko yan, pati sa pagdrive, minsan nagpa-practice ako,” he added.

Gerald also lost 15 pounds, grew his hair and  wore a fake set of  teeth. He even brought the fake set of teeth home  to get used to it.

“Pati yung ngipin ng character ko mahirap suotin, pero nasasanay na ako. Mahirap rin siya kasi malaki. Tapos, kuba ako maglakad,” Gerald said.

He also plans to treat the special children he met to a basketball event.

“Yung pinuntahan namin na school, madaming students pero tatlo lang ang teachers.  Kaya next month, may gagawin akong basketball event, lahat sila manonood. ASAP versus Star Magic artists,” Gerald said.

“Budoy” will start airing October 10 on ABS-CBN.