The legendary masked hero is now here in the Philippines and he will be played by none other than matinee idol Richard Gutierrez.

For the first time, the GMA-7 star will don the black mask and use his sword to defend the innocent in the upcoming primetime show.

"Talagang ibabalik namin ang 1900 ng Pilipinas," promised Richard to his fans. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) interviewed the actor during the thanksgiving party of his Valentine movie When I Met U held last February 26. "Para magawa namin yun kailangan mabusisi kami, kailangan mag-aral kami ng mabuti kung ano talaga yung mga nangyayari nung 1900s. Kung paano ba yung mga Pilipino noong panahon na yon. So, napaka exciting para sa buong team namin."

The lead actor of Zorro mentioned that they are taping their scenes in Bataan because there is a town there that has houses dating back to the 1900s. Viewers can expect to see Kapuso stars such as Richard wearing Filipiniana dresses during that period. Richard also revealed that they are taking up history classes in order to deepen their understanding of the milieu of the 1900s.

Did he watch previous films of Zorro in preparation of his role?

"Oo, pinag aralan namin. Pinag-aralan namin pati yung pinaka-unang Zorro, pati yung libro, pinag-aralan namin. At iniisip namin kung paano namin iibahin at paano namin pagagandahin pa para sa Pinoy."

Richard was part of the team that chose his leading ladies Rhian Ramos, Michelle Madrigal, and Bianca King. This is his third time to work with Rhian in Lupin (2007) and Captain Barbell (2006).

PEP asked the Kapuso star to describe the changes that he has seen in Rhian ever since he worked with her.

"She has matured as an actress. Ngayon talaga nakikita ko na kung paano niya mino-mold ang sarili niya to the character tapos yung hunger niya to learn more, to adapt more to the character. I see her growth. Before kasi naiilang pa siya, e, noong huli kaming magkasama, pero ngayon talagang actress na siya."

Richard also says that he is taking time to take fencing lessons and horseback riding lessons. "Tuloy-tuloy din ang horse back training namin...kasi ang hirap, ang hirap kontrolin ng kabayo. Bawat kabayo iba yung asal, so kailangan maging master kami sa horse back riding, so, were trying to do that."

GMA-7's Zorro will be directed by Dominic Zapata and Mark Reyes. Watch for this TV series by mid-March.