Ryza Cenon has garnered heaps of praises from netizens for her dedication to her role in the upcoming film Lilim, directed by Mikhail Red.
On June 21, 2024, Ryza posted a vlog on YouTube that showed her shaving her head for her role as Helena in the movie.
Read: Ryza Cenon, nanibago sa wig pagkatapos magpakalbo
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Ryza delved into her character, "Ang role ko dito ako si Helena. Isa po ako sa mga sister dun sa orphanage.
"And then, maraming nangyayari na mysterious kasi sa orphanage. And then, dun nilang makikita yung pinaka-main story ng film."
The interview took place during the VIP preview of Biagini at Corso Como 88 in One Ayala Mall, Makati City, on July 2, 2024.
She revealed that she shaved her head not only to be true to her role, but also because it had been on her bucket list for quite some time.
When asked about how she felt during the process, Ryza described a gamut of emotions.
She recounted, "Siguro more on kabado na excited. Kasi, isa sa mga bucket list ko kasi magpakalbo.
"Kinakabahan ako kasi hindi ko alam kung ano yung magiging outcome ng pagpapakalbo ko.
"Kung babagay ba sa akin, ganyan. Tapos, parang sinabi ko na lang, 'Bahala na kung anong mangyari, kung anong magiging itsura niya.'
"And then, after that, ayun, okay naman. So natuwa naman ako sa naging result."
RYZA CENON: AN INSPIRATION
Ryza said she received a lot of positive feedback for her bald look, although some netizens didn't like it.
"Okay naman, lahat naman positive reaction. May mga iba na hindi nila... nagustuhan, but it's okay.
"Ang mahalaga kasi for me, like, yung intention ko naman is for the upcoming film namin na Lilim.
"And, actually, gulat ako e, kasi maraming pala akong na-inspire ng mga tao na merong pinagdadaanan.
"The same na nakakalbo sila, or nagki-chemo sila, yung mga cancer patients.
"So, nakakatuwa na parang ni-represent ko sila."
Following her revelation, Alopecia Philippines commended Ryza for her courageous decision to shave her hair.
Read: Alopecia Philippines lauds Ryza Cenon's bald initiative
Ryza then acknowledged the encouraging messages from cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and from those who had to shave their hair for various reasons.
The support from these individuals was a pleasant surprise to Ryza as her initial intention was simply to fulfill a role.
She said, "Actually talaga, natutuwa ako na hindi lang pala yung reason ko na dahil sa role. May iba pa pala akong role na nagampanan.
"At yun nga yun, yung i-represent silang lahat. Hindi lang sila, pero sa lahat talaga.
"As in yung mga may pinagdadaanan sa hair loss or like yun nga yung sa cancer patients na may chemo na kailangan nilang magpakalbo.
"And mayroon din sa akin nag-message na kinakalbo niya yung sarili niya because of the depression.
"So yun, lahat yun, parang isa rin pala yun na ginampanan ko para mai-represent sila.
"At para rin alam niyo, matanggap nila nang buong-buo sa ano na okay lang pala na maging kalbo."
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