Trigger warning: This article mentions bullying
Antonio Vinzon guested on Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” with fellow “Mga Batang Riles” stars Bruce Roeland and Raheel Bhyria where they were asked about their insecurities, among other topics.
Raheel shared that he wasn’t confident growing up because he didn’t feel attractive, although he’s more confident now.
For Bruce, he feels insecure about his arms because he used to be skinny. He added that even though he feels confident now, he tends to touch his arms to make sure they look okay.
As for Antonio, he opened up that he got bullied when he was younger for being overweight.
“Sobrang tabain po talaga ako dati and grabe po ‘yung discrimination. I get bullied everyday for [a] couple of years na po,” said the 16-year-old actor.
According to him, the experience caused him to lose his confidence to the point that he wanted to quit school.
“Binubully ako, sinusuntok ako everyday ng mga di ko kilala, so ayun po, pero ngayon I’m blessed na nandito ako,” he shared.
When asked by Tito Boy if he ever told his parents about his experience, he said that he chose to keep quiet about it and is only able to talk about it now.
He also shared that his parents got shocked when he lost around 20 pounds in two months, adding that he did not eat and would only drink water.
“‘Yun lang ginagawa ko for two months, na-shock po sila sa transformation ko na pumayat,” said Antonio.
Tito Boy, for his part, advised the three actors and viewers not to lose weight in an unhealthy way.
“Kailangan ‘yan may guidance medically may implication ‘yun eh. Kailangan meron ka talagang support system na nagsasabi you’re okay, you’re valid,” the King of Talk said.
Antonio, Bruce, and Raheel star in “Mga Batang Riles” alongside Miguel Tanfelix and Kokoy De Santos.
The series started airing on Monday and earned rave reviews from netizens on its first week.
It airs weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after “24 Oras.”
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
