Before and After: Alden Richards transforms to play Jose Rizal in 'Ilustrado'

 

After gaining popularity as heartthrob because of mestizo good looks, Alden Richards underwent a transformation to take on the role of his life: playing national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in his latest project "Ilustrado."

 

The photo taken by Bochic Estrada of GMANetwork.com showed just how much Alden's look has changed for the role.

 

In an interview with Michelle Caligan of GMANetwork.com, Alden said the role required more than just a physical change,

 

"Excited ako for this project and I've never been so hands-on in any of my projects, ngayon lang for Ilustrado. Kung nag-e-effort ako before sa soaps ko, doble effort for this," he said.

 

Alden watched films on the national hero and underwent intense workshops with co-star Kylie Padilla to prepare for the role.

 

"The production team gave me a few pointers kung ano ang puwede kong pag-aralan. Binigyan nila ako ng CDs, ng documentaries about Rizal, movies before like Cesar Montano's Jose Rizal. Pinanood ko 'yun. I did a lot of workshops with Kylie, with our director, with my acting coach. Andami eh, it's very different from doing a soap na you're going to create your own character."

 

Alden said the role is different from any role he has had in the past.

 

"The difference between Ilustrado and other soaps or primetime teleserye is kapag soap, you create something different, you create on your own. In doing this bayani serye, mayroong basis from history. You create it in line with what was listed in history. Hindi puwedeng ikaw lang 'to kasi Jose Rizal 'to eh. It's still 70 percent Jose Rizal, 30 percent of Alden." — JST, GMA News