JM de Guzman, Paulo Avelino address body shamers

MANILA, Philippines — Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman didn’t mind addressing the body-shaming comments they’ve received lately.

The two actors particularly became recipients of body-shaming as they starred in Prime Video’s Linlang.

Paulo said he intentionally gained weight in preparation for his role as Victor in the ABS-CBN and Dreamscape produced series, while JM stated he was not offended by the remarks over his weight gain. 

Helmed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin, Linlang is still available on Amazon’s streaming service. It became the most-watched show on Prime Video Philippines upon its debut. The teleserye version of the show will be aired on A2Z and TV5 and streamed on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC and TFC this January 2024, as announced by Dreamscape Entertainment.

Paulo Avelino on being called ‘chubby’: ‘It’s OK because it’s true. There’s no need to be angry or be ashamed or deny that because I can accept criticism when it’s true because you can do nothing about the truth.’— Photo from ABS-CBN website

“It’s OK because it’s true,” replied Paulo when asked at a recent press interview for his comment on some netizens calling him “chubby.”

“There’s no need to be angry or be ashamed or deny that because I can accept criticism when it’s true because you can do nothing about the truth.”

In an earlier press conference, Paulo stated that when Linlang was pitched to him, he prepared for the project by increasing his weight.

However, as a result, he had to beg off from other project offers because of his “chubby” look.

“Part of that, of course, is that you lose other projects. You can’t do other projects because you’re big. You’re heavy. So andami talagang naapektuhan,” he said.

“I really sacrificed (in terms of) accepting other projects because my looks were not suitable for the role. And nagtataka yung ibang tao parang pabaya daw ako but it was all to prepare for Linlang. I really gave my dedication to the project.  

“I didn’t accept other projects so that I could focus. At the same time, I was able to instill a lot of discipline in myself to achieve yung sa tingin ko would help the show in some way, especially in terms of believability.”

In the latter part of filming the show, he underwent a strict diet, rigorous workout and boxing training. 

“As I said before, it was a bit of a struggle for me because I wanted to achieve — and medyo na achieved naman — the weight and the differences of Victor’s character development until the present (episode),” he explained.

Nevertheless, he was able to attain the requirement for the role as the boxer-turned-seaman Victor in Linlang in a short period of time. 

As for JM, he had read the comments from netizens about his supposed weight gain. He even posted these comments on his social media with the caption: “Masakit kayo magsalita (with a smiley emoji).” 

“Actually, I was smiling when I posted it,” reacted JM. “I posted it because I’m doing something about it. I’m training and working out again. I just posted it there so that they can see the final result. For them to be inspired.”

He was not hurt by those comments, he stressed. “I was not offended. I’m healthy.” 

JM furthered, “I’m taking medicines for my mental health. So nakakataba talaga siya ‘pag hindi ko winork-out, ‘pag hindi ko binantayan diet ko. So lolobo po talaga ako.”

The actor is currently dating celebrity vlogger Donnalyn Bartolome.

“She (Donnalyn) told me that I look good and that I have nothing to worry about,” answered JM when inquired about Donnalyn’s reaction to the body-shaming comments about him. 

“She is kind and supportive kung ano man yung gusto kong mangyari,” he said.