Lloydie’s new perspective

“MY CHARACTER is very special.”

Actor John Lloyd Cruz said he sought the help of a real-life doctor to create his character Ronald, a mentally challenged student accused of raping his teacher, in the Chito Roño-directed “The Trial.”

“Ronald is not typical at all. He has a mild case of intellectual disability. His IQ is only 5 to 10 percent lower than average. That’s why when you see him, he looks perfectly normal,” Cruz explained to the Inquirer.

The actor said this was what made it really difficult for him to portray the role. “I had to go through a difficult process. I asked for a lot of things from the production team and from (producer) Star Cinema, including working with a real doctor. I’m glad they agreed.”

How did you prepare for this role?

I made sure not to watch TV shows or films with the same theme. I didn’t want them to influence my process. I did a lot of research. I gave Ronald his heart and soul. I didn’t want my performance to be influenced by other actors.

I’m interested in how Daniel Day-Lewis played (a man with cerebral palsy) in “My Left Foot.” He got into the character so much that he had to be carried by the staff when he needed to move from one area of the set to another. As much as I want to do that, I don’t want my directors and coworkers to hate me. I don’t think his method will ever work here.

What insights about people with mental disability did you get from this role?

I realized that we were all equal when it came to loving and wanting to be loved—whether you were normal or mentally challenged, old or young, male or female. I had a very profound experience doing this character.

Ronald is someone very special. He’s closest to my heart. He gave me a new perspective on life and love.

How dependent were you on your director?

Direk Chito wants his actors to explore all possibilities and angles. He’ll appreciate it if you can surprise him, give him something new. He gave me the freedom to explore my character. Through this, I was able to discover a new process. It’s not necessarily better than what I’ve always been doing, it just makes the whole experience with “The Trial” more special and memorable. I’m happy to have experienced something different with him.

You’ve gotten good feedback from your female costars. How do you react to this?

As an actor, I always try to give what’s expected of me. My craft is all I’ve got. I might as well give it my best. I’m happy that my work has a positive effect on the people I act with.

What was the most difficult trial you’d gone through in your life?

This happened during my early years in the business. I was working on four TV shows at the same time and then they all ended at the same time, too. I was jobless. It got me really worried because I gave up my studies to be an actor. At that time, baduy ka kapag artista ka.

For a time, I questioned my decision to quit school. I took the risk. I’m glad I chose to stay.

(“The Trial,” which will be shown in cinemas starting Oct. 15, also stars Richard Gomez, Gretchen Barretto and Enrique Gil.)

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