Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion could hardly take their eyes off each other during the first press conference of the Star Cinema film For the First Time.
As soon as they entered the 9501 restaurant of ABS-CBN compound, Richard assisted KC every step of the way by placing his hand on her lower back. Even when they were seated on the red couch, Richard kept close to KC and wrapped his hand protectively around her waist.
As the presscon progressed, Richard rested his hand gently on top of KC's knee. After the presscon, the two were seen holding hands, and the only time they separated was when one of them had to go to the bathroom.
Their body language spoke volumes about the growing bond between the two stars—both of whom are considered prized stars of rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA-7.
For the First Time is part of the 15th anniversary celebration of Star Cinema, and is marked by a lot of first time occurrences. It is the first movie of the daughter of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion. It is the first time that Kapuso star Richard Gutierrez has worked with Star Cinema. It is also his first time to work with a female director in the person of Joyce Bernal. For the First Time is also touted as the first Filipino film shot in Greece, particularly in the island of Santorini.
How do KC and Richard feel about bringing the two networks together for one project?
"Ang dami po naming pinagdaanan para makarating dito," begins KC. "Pinaniwalaan namin na kaya namin ito. Mabuti naman yun para sa lahat, wala namang nag-aaway-away ngayon, proof na pwedeng magsama-sama lahat kahit konting sandali lang. Yung pelikula namin, sana magustuhan ng tao ang istorya. Hindi na po importante kung saang kampo galing, anyway, lahat naman tayo nandito para sa pelikula. Keep the good vibes dapat," says KC.
Richard agreed with her statement by saying, "Dumating na yung moment na dati isang panaginip lang. Isang dream lang, isang vision na nakita namin ni KC. Nangyari ang dating usapan namin ni KC. Walang imposible. Up to now, we're still on a high."
Richard and KC recall that they had to go to a lot of meetings and exchange a lot of email messages just to make this film a reality.
THE REAL SCORE. When pressed to reveal what is the real score between the two of them, Richard tells the media, "Kami ni KC, nandun kami sa point na sobrang kumportable na kami. Nasabi na namin ang secrets namin sa isa't isa. May mga nasabi ako kay KC na mga bagay na walang ibang nakakaalam habang nandun kami sa Santorini at siya rin... Yung buong ten days namin sa Greece, it was the time for us para magkakilala ng husto. Kaming dalawa ang magkakampi, wala nang iba. Us against the world. Nung time na yun, nakilala ko nang husto si KC."
From a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how would he rate his friendship with KC? Richard looked at KC sweetly before giving his answer. "Dahil dun sa mga napag-usapan namin ni KC, siguro nasa 9.8."
Amidst all the clapping and cheers, KC could not help but exclaim, "Wow!"
The media asked if the popularity of their love team can rival that of KC's parents' tandem in the '80s.
"Much respect to Tito Gabby and Tita Sharon pero ang hirap
i-compare," says Richard.
For her part, KC points out that they have no plans of competing with her
parents. "Hindi namin goal na maabot ang naabot nila or maging parang sila.
Sobrang ibang level na po sila. Nirerespeto ko sila, ako, bilang magulang ko
sila, and also as actors. Nakaka-pressure po talaga kasi ang laki-laki ng love
team nila. Ang dami nilang pelikula na nilabas kaya nakaka-pressure po talaga.
"Sana magustuhan po ng tao in the same way na nagustuhan nila kung ano man ang binigay ng love team ng Sharon-Gabby, ng parents ko."
Richard adds: "Tulad po ng sinabi ni KC, ayaw po muna naming
lumaktaw. We live for the moment. Kung ano pong meron kami ngayon,
masayang-masaya po kami."
Would she consider Richard as boyfriend material? "It's very easy to love someone like Chard. Kayo ba—hindi ba kayo nadadala sa tingin niya?"
"Of course, he is a good friend and that is important in any future relationship. Kailangan kumportable kayo sa isa't isa. Pero hindi po namin iniisip yun sa ngayon."
KISSING SCENE. Since the movie will feature several kissing scenes, the members of the press asked them to describe the sequence in Greece.
"Sobrang ninerbiyos po talaga ako," narrates KC. "Yung camera, parang hindi na naging friendly. Sa isip ko, parang nakikialam yung camera. Parang naging chismoso yung camera. Sobra akong ninenerbiyos. Naka-ilang take talaga kami. Pero after that, ang ganda kasi ng view. Nasa tuktok kami ng Santorini so kita lahat."
Richard describes the reaction of the crowd watching their intimate scene. "Yung mga foreigners nanonood sa amin at pumalakpak nung nag-kiss kami. Nung pagtingin ko na ganyan, ang daming tao!"
The actress-singer felt uncomfortable while kissing in front of a lot of people. "Lalo akong na-conscious talaga. Parang may times na ginagamit ko yung balikat ko para itago. Si Chard ang dami nang experience sa ganun."
To this, he quickly responded, "Hindi naman! Nahihiya naman ako minsan."
When asked to describe KC's lips, Richard paused for a long time before giving his answer. "Uhm, hmm, well, dahil nga kinabahan ako nung shooting namin... Yung lips ni KC...ang lips ni KC ang softest lips that I've ever kissed."
Aside from Richard and KC, For the First Time also stars Eddie Gutierrez (who is cast as Richard's father) as well as Phillip Salvador and Pilar Pilapil (who play KC's onscreen parents). Richard's siblings are played by Ana Roces and Bubbles Paraiso, while KC's friends are portrayed by Beatriz Saw, Denise Laurel, Jake Cuenca, and Carla Humphries. Another offspring of showbiz icons is included in the cast, in the person of Geoff Eigenmann. Candy Pangilinan will provide the comic relief in the movie.
For the First Time is about the transforming power of
love. Seth is a rich bachelor who works in Greece as a boatman. He meets a
tourist named Pia, who is very independent and very ambitious. It will open in
theaters nationwide starting August 27, 2008.
Trailer courtesy of Star Cinema