At a young age, Richard Gutierrez seems to be the one of the most successful young actors in local showbiz today.
Only 24 years old, 'Richard already headlined several top-rating TV shows, like Mulawin (2005), Captain Barbell (2006), and Lupin (2007), and the ongoing Kamandag. He also had several blockbuster movies such as Let the Love Begin (2005), I Will Always Love You (2006), The Promise (2007), and two installments of Mano Po movies (2003 and 2005).
With these, Richard is, of course, very thankful for all the blessings that come his way in his showbiz career.
At the press conference of his Valentine movie, My Best Friend's Girlfriend, last night, January 30, Richard talked about his and twin brother Raymond Gutierrez's post-birthday party held the night before, January 29, at One Esplanade Place, SM Central Business Park in Pasay City.
The celebration, which coincided with Richard's 7th anniversary in showbiz, also served as a thanksgiving and a reunion party for his close relatives and friends in show business. Richard added that the party was actually a birthday present from his mother network, GMA-7.
"Sobrang saya," said Richard describing how he felt during the party. "Doon ko lang nakita ulit na magkakasama kami—mga taong mahal ko, mga taong espesyal sa akin.
"Basta ang saya-saya ko lang kagabi na speechless ako. Noong nandun ako sa stage, parang hindi ko alam kung papaano pasasalamatan ang [GMA-7] at siyempre, ang lahat ng taong nandun na pumunta. I'm just very very happy."
When asked what was his birthday wish this year, Richard paused for a moment thinking, then answered, "Sana maging successful ang pelikula namin."
The young actor was obviously referring to his Valentine movie with Marian Rivera, My Best Friend's Girlfriend.
NEW LOVETEAM. Does Richard think his new team-up with Marian would click with the viewers, the way they accepted his loveteam with Angel Locsin? The young actor replied, "That's what we're all wishing for. Sana, sana... That's what we're all wishing and praying for. Sana matanggap ng audience and sana magusutuhan nila."
Richard then went on describing the movie and his newest loveteam. He said, "Ang kinagandahan dito sa loveteam ni Marian, fresh loveteam siya, e. Bihirang makita ng tao yung pagsasama namin ni Marian, at ngayon lang nila makikita sa sinehan. Napakaganda ng pelikula namin kaya masaya talaga ako, first time namin magsama, e."
The movie will premiere on February 13, a day before Valentine's Day. Will Richard ask his partner Marian to go on a movie date?
"Gusto ko sanang makasama si Marian, pero masyado siyang busy," he said, quite disappointed.
Marian said earlier that she will have a taping of Marimar on Valentine's Day.
KAMANDAG VS. LOBO. Aside from his new movie, Richard also thanked the viewers of Kamandag who kept glued to his show despite the new shows that ABS-CBN had launched this week.
"Masayang-masaya ako kasi yung mga loyal audience ng Kamandag, nandiyan pa rin sila at hindi pa rin sila bumibitiw. At masayang-masaya ako dahil alam kong
masaya din yung mga taong nanonood ng Kamandag at napapasaya namin
sila. Ayun, masaya kami sa resulta ng
ratings at we're just very proud," he said.
Incidentally, Kamandag's timeslotis directly competing with Lobo, which stars Richard's former loveteam Angel Locsin. Richard said he was surprised about the match-up especially since he spoke to Angel before and she said to him that their shows won't be pitted against each other.
"Nagkita kami ni Angel sa Cebu. Sinabi niya, hindi raw [magtatapat] kaya nagulat ako nung pinagtapat nga," Richard narrated.
He added, "Na-realize ko na ganun talaga, e. There's a network war going on right now and hindi talaga maiiwasan na ipagtapat kami ni Angel. I mean, ganun talaga, feeling ko talaga, mangyayari at mangyayari yun."