Matt Lozano: 3 things he learned about himself after landing the Big Bert role in 'Voltes V: Legacy'

Remember Matt Lozano? He's the handsome and talented actor-musician who won Eat Bulaga's "Spogify" back in 2016.

Matt is about to play a role of a lifetime in GMA's highly-anticipated fantasy-action series "Voltes V: Legacy" as Big Bert Armstrong. He's now also an endorser for popular clothing brand Bench, and he just released a new self-written song, "Kwarto."

Things, however, did not turn out so well for Matt overnight.

In an online interview with GMA reporters, the actor and musician admitted fearing his career would not "take off."

Matt also opened up about how he battled depression and gained over 100 lbs. over the past five years.

Nevertheless, the actor was thankful to have some life-changing realizations during his journey.

1. Comments aren't life

Being on the heavier side, Matt has received many mean comments on social media. It also hurt him whenever people told him to lose weight.

"Marami akong nababasa na comments na, 'sino ba 'yan,' 'bakit nandiyan 'yan,' 'bakit pinupush ng ganito 'yan?' 'Ang taba taba naman niyan!' For me, okay lang eh," the actor said.

[I read a lot of comments saying 'Who is that,' 'Why is he there,' 'Why are they pushing this kind of stuff?' 'That guy is so fat.' For me, it's okay]

According to Matt, he needed to learn to respect the fact that everyone is entitled to an opinion.

"Parang di naman dapat siguro bigyan ng pansin 'yung mga ganon, kasi 'yun naman 'yung opinion nila 'yun at nirerespeto ko sila... Okay lang naman sa 'kin yun wala naman akong problema don kasi nirerespeto ko yung opinion nila," he added.

[Maybe I shouldn't pay attention to that because that's their opinion and I respect it... It's okay with me and I have no problem with it because I respect their opinion.]

Besides, Matt actually works hard to exercise and stay healthy, and he doesn't do it just because people say he gained weight.

"Ang hirap din kasing gumalaw pag malaki ka, so that's why I see to it to work out pa rin," he said.

"Kahit na malaki ako, confident naman ako... dahil kahit malaki ako nagwork-out naman ako, and I make sure na everyday nakakapag-running, biking, para naman pagdating din sa taping ng Voltes V ay handa rin ako," he added.

[It's hard to stay active when you're overweight, so that's why I see to it to work out. Even if I'm big, I'm confident... because I still work out, I still make sure I go running, biking. This way, I can also be ready when I start taping for (Voltes V: Legacy)]

2. It's not the end

After a challenging few years, Matt never expected to land a role so "big."

"Sobrang sarap sa feeling, kaya sobrang thankful talaga ako. Kasi dati, sobrang nalulungkot ako. Sobrang sakit sa'kin na sinasabi ng mga tao na 'magpapayat ka na,' 'kailangan mong magpapayat'..." he said.

"Happy ako sa nangyari ngayon. Kumbaga, sobrang proud ako na hindi ko alam na ito palang katabaan ko na to ito y'ung magbibigay sakin ng work ngayon, and thank God na sobrang laking project pa ng gagampanan ko," he added.

[It feels so good. Back then, I always felt down when people told me 'you need to lose weight. But now I'm happy how things turned out. Basically, I'm so proud. I never expected my weight gain would be what gives me work. Now I get to be part of such a huge project, with such a huge role.]

Matt also took pride in his recent clothing advertisement where he endorsed "extended sizes."

"Sobrang proud ako, kasi ang tagal kong pinapangarap na maging part ng Bench, kaya dati talaga gusto kong pumayat nang pumayat eh, pero hindi ko naman talaga aakalain na sobrang thankful ako na sinabayan ng blessing ni Big Bert," he said.

"[Bench released] plus size na damit so I'm very thankful sa Bench and actually sa mga taong sumusuporta sa paligid ko na kahit ganito 'yung katawan ko nabibigay (ko) parin 'yung best of myself," he added.

[I'm super proud because I dreamed of being a part of Bench for so long. That's why I kept trying to lose weight, but I never expected this and it came withthe blessing of Big Bert.]

[[Bench released] plus-sized clothing so I'm very thankful to Bench and, actually, to all the people around me who gave their support because, even if my body is like this, I still get to give the best of myself]

3. Self love, acceptance is key

According to Matt, his spirits started to lift once he learned how to fully accept himself.

"Ako talaga naman kasi, simula't sapul talaga, alam ko na sa sarili ko na medyo mabagal ang metabolism ko at nasa lahi talaga ng family ko ang pagiging malaki," he said.

"So in-accept ko nalang siya dahil nakikita ko naman 'yung sarili ko sa salamin na kung ito nalang ako, so be it. Kung ayaw sakin ng mga tao kung ano 'yung itsura ko, okay lang, wala namang mawawala sakin, kasi mahal ko yung sarili ko," he added.

[From the beginning, I knew that my metabolism isn't that great, and being large runs in our family. So I just accepted myself for who I am. I look at myself in the mirror and say: If this is me, them so be it. If they don't like me for how I look, it's okay. I don't lose anything, because I love myself.]

Matt also left a cheerful message for his fellow "chubby guys":  "It's OK. Just be yourself. Don't lose heart because that will be your true downfall," he said in Filipino. — LA, GMA News