Richard talked with Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) last night, November 7, while waiting for his cue during the taping. The smiling actor said he never really took a break as he quickly went into training after Lupin to keep himself fit and ready for any new project.
"Nag-prepare talaga ako before pa dumating si Brandon (Vera, currently Richard's personal instructor)," said Richard as he sat before his gorgeous Apple laptop. "Nag-work out ako, a lot of cardio and a lot of discipline."
Richard's initiative paid off. Kamandag requires more physical demands on him as an actor. The network brought in mixed martial arts fighter and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title contender, Brandon "The Truth" Vera, to personally train Richard for the fight scenes.
Despite having a good physique himself, Richard's reaction the first time he saw Brandon up close was no different from any ordinary person's.
"Ah, siyempre nung una kinabahan ako nung dumating siya dito," he chuckled before adding, "pero more than anything na-excite ako na ako yong tuturuan niya."
Richard shared a bit on his physical regimen.
To begin with, the training runs on a daily basis. "Pag may taping days, sa umaga nagti-training kami tapos hapon taping. Training sa umaga tapos taping sa gabi, nakakapagod.
"This is the real deal. Talagang yung training na ginagawa namin is the real training na ginagawa ng mga mixed martial artists so that for me takes discipline," said Richard.
Some critics have pointed out that fantasy based programs hinder a young actors growth and potential to mature as a serious thespian. That doesn't worry the the 23-year-old actor.
"Wala naman," replied Richard after pausing for a few seconds to collect his thoughts. "We make sure na maganda yong binibigay namin. ‘Yon ang gusto ng audience, e, iyon ang gusto ng mga bata. And I make sure naman na kapag gumagawa ako ng pelikula, malayo sa ginagawa ko sa TV so that makes it more exciting for me."
Aside from Kamandag, SOP and Nuts Entertainment, Richard will start shooting for a Valentine movie opposite Marian Rivera, under GMA Films .