Gerald is Budoy

MANILA, Philippines - Gerald Anderson (photo) returns to primetime TV via ABS-CBN’s first advocacy serye titled Budoy. He plays the title role of a boy suffering from a delay in mental development.

First introduced to the Philippine audience via the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition, Gerald worked his way up to become one of this generation’s most sought-after leading men through soap operas Sana Maulit Muli, My Girl, Tayong Dalawa and Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.

Joining Gerald in Budoy are Jessy Mendiola and Enrique Gil.

Jessy will play the role of Jackie, Budoy’s childhood friend who dreams of becoming a teacher while Enrique Gil will play the role of Benjamin, Budoy’s rival in love and the boy who has everything except his mother’s warmth and his father’s approval.    

The advocacy serye marks the return of Janice de Belen to the Kapamilya Network. She will play the role of Bebang, Budoy’s caretaker who adopted him after he was disowned by his real family.  

Budoy is the son of Dr. Gregor Maniego (Tirso Cruz III), a top ob-gynecologist and Luisa Maniego (Zsa Zsa Padilla), Dr. Maniego’s secretary whom he chose to marry despite his mother’s disapproval.  

Budoy’s birth is a family blessing that later on turned into a family shame when they discovered that Budoy is suffering from Angel Syndrome, which delays the intellectual development of a child.

The family decided to hide their “dishonor” — their abnormal son Budoy — and replace him with a normal child.

Budoy also stars Gloria Sevilla, Dante Rivero, Barbara Perez, Christian Vasquez and Mylene Dizon.  

For details, log on to www.abs-cbn.com.