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Charlie Dizon during her guest appearance on 'Oh My Gan!'. ABS-CBN News
Charlie Dizon admitted that portraying Regina Santos in “The Loyalty Game” has been one of the most intimidating challenges of her acting career because of the responsibility that came with depicting a character experiencing mental illness.
In an interview on “Oh My Gan!,” released Wednesday, Dizon said she was immediately conscious of portraying Regina with care and sensitivity.
“Ito yung isa sa pinakakinakatakot kong character,” Dizon said.
The actress explained that unlike some of her previous roles, Regina’s experiences were not something she could simply draw from her own life.
“Siyempre, ang sensitive din niyang issue, di ba? So parang as much as possible, gusto ko siyang ma-portray nang maayos,” she said.
Dizon noted that viewers who have similar experiences, as well as their families, could relate to the character.
“May mga tao na makaka-relate talaga. Kahit yung family nung taong yun, di ba? Makaka-relate,” she said.
That awareness, she said, made preparation crucial.
Before filming, Dizon consulted the series’ writers and directors about how they envisioned the character and how visibly Regina’s condition should manifest in her behavior.
“Tinanong ko kaagad yung writers, yung director, kung paano nila gusto ko atakihin yung character,” she said.
She also asked the production team for references that could help her understand certain behavioral nuances without simply copying another performance.
“May character ba silang gusto ipapanood sa akin para makita lang, kahit nuances lang,” she recalled.
Dizon said she was particularly nervous after reading the script and realizing how physically expressive some of Regina’s scenes would have to be.
“Honestly, bago ko gawin yun, stress na stress ako… Nakikita ko paano niya sasabihin. So nasistress ako na, ‘Ah, ganito kalaki yung gagawin,’” she said.
Adding to the pressure was the opportunity to work opposite Jericho Rosales for the first time.
“Mga ka-eksena ko, Jericho Rosales. First time ko siyang makaka-eksena din, di ba? So yun, kabang-kaba din ako,” she shared.
Dizon said discussions about Regina’s condition continued on set, even down to details surrounding the character’s medication and how those circumstances could affect a scene.
“Lagi din talagang pinag-uusapan sa set bago siya i-take,” she said.
“Importante yung simpleng action na pinainom ba siya ng gamot o hindi siya pinainom ng gamot bago i-take eksena.”
Dizon acknowledged that Regina was particularly difficult because she could not rely solely on her own experiences to find the character emotionally.
“Alam kong hindi ko siya mahuhugot from me,” she said.
“Yung iba kong characters na wala namang mental illness, kahit papaano nakakarelate ako as Charlie. Eto, hindi talaga. So eto, as character lang talaga. Si Regina.”
Despite her initial fears, Dizon said she eventually enjoyed exploring the unpredictable nature of the role.
“Sobrang na-enjoy ko din tong Regina kasi medyo nalaro din talaga,” she said.
“Hindi siya yung plain lang na ito lang yung tatahakin ng character. Parang per situation, nag-iiba rin siya talaga.”
Dizon said years of experience have also made her more comfortable taking creative risks as an actress.
“Mas comfortable na rin ako sa sarili ko ngayon,” she said, adding that earlier in her career she often struggled with self-consciousness.
“Dati kasi parang hindi ko rin alam paano siya ilalabas. Kasi nga may nahihiya, may pulis ka pa sa utak.”
Winning Best Actress for “Fan Girl” at the Metro Manila Film Festival also raised the standards she set for herself.
“Ayaw kong magmukha siyang tsamba lang,” she said of the pressure that followed the award.
When it comes to criticism, Dizon said she generally avoids reading comments online but is willing to consider constructive feedback.
“Pag gano’n naman, usually at least alam ko na may iimprove nga talaga,” she said.
She makes a distinction, however, between criticism and outright hate.
“Minsan kasi makikita ko, hate lang talaga. Alam mo yun? So pag ganun, dedma lang. Alam ko noise lang yun,” she said.
Dizon also admitted that she sometimes blocks repeat bashers.
“Same account, same account. So block na lang. Para gumawa ka na lang ng bago,” she joked.
As she continues taking on more demanding material, Dizon said she hopes to eventually be remembered as one of the strongest performers of her generation.
“Sana pagdating ng panahon… mare-recognize ako na, ‘Isa siya sa pinakamagagaling din nung generation niya, nung panahon niya,’” she said.
She also hopes to continue portraying characters whose stories carry a larger message.
“Yung may message parati. Yun din yung gusto ko din na mga characters talaga,” she said.
In “The Loyalty Game,” Dizon plays Regina Santos, the sister of Ben, who keeps her hidden while she holds information that could affect the story.
“Ako po ay kapatid doon ni Ben, na pinaka-minamahal niya at pinaka-tinatago din niya,” Dizon teased.
“Tignan niyo po kung bakit niya ako tinatago. Kasi nga may mga dala akong kaalaman, pero kayo na rin po ang bahala kung maniniwala kayo sa character ko.”
“The Loyalty Game” streams on Prime Video, with two new episodes dropping every Friday.