Inilahad ni Richard Gutierrez ang deciding factors para sa muli niyang pagpirma ng kontrata sa ABS-CBN sa kabila ng kawalan ng prangkisa ng network.
Pumirma si Richard ng bagong kontrata sa ABS-CBN, na ginanap sa Dolphy Theater sa loob ng ABS-CBN compound, noong October 26, 2023.
Isang malaking factor sa pagpirma ni Richard ang pagiging matatag ng ABS-CBN sa kabila ng kawalan ng prangkisa.
"Despite all the challenges of the network, alam naman nating lahat na ang ABS-CBN ngayon ay nag-pivot," saad ng aktor.
"Sila ang forefront in terms of digital content, collaborations and quality, world-class content. So, for me doon mo nakikita ang resilience ng isang company.
"No matter what the difficulties, the trials are they were able to stay put and do it successfullly, you know. Hindi madali yun para sa isang kompanya tulad ng ABS-CBN.
"Pero, I like how resilient they are and they were able to pivot and start, you know, a new journey or a new trend in our industry and I like being part of that. That there's a silver lining in all of these."
Nakasama ni Richard sa contract signing ang top ABS-CBN executives: Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Group CFO Rick Tan, at Head of TV Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi.
Naroon din ang Star Magic handler na si Love Capulong, pati na ang mommy at manager ni Richard na si Anabelle Rama.
ON BEING A SOLID KAPAMILYA
Taong 2017 unang pumirma si Richard sa ABS-CBN.
Napabilang siya sa fantasy-drama series na La Luna Sangre, at nasundan ng FPJ's Ang Probinsyano during the pandemic.
Noong October 13 ay kakatapos lang ng Iron Heart, ang pinagbidahan niyang drama series mula noong November 2022.
Ito ang ikatlong kontratang pinirmahan niya sa ABS-CBN, at wala raw pagsisisi ang aktor na manatili sa ABS-CBN.
"I'm very happy and proud to be here. I think it's really about the quality of the content that they produce.
"I think they don't settle for anything less than good quality programs. And everything is really well thought of. Yung planning, yung passion to create something nice and something new, nandiyan, e.
"It stems from the bosses all way down to the production people, all the way down sa mga nakakatrabaho mo on the set.
"And everybody's passionate to give their best. To give the best show possible. And I like to be in that environment na healthy competition."
Ano ang susunod niyang proyekto sa Kapamilya Channel?
Sagot ni Richard, "Right now I would like to just absorb everything na nangyari sa The Iron Heart.
"So, I wanna take a couple of weeks off and relax with my family. But I'm ready to work after a few weeks."
Watch: Richard Gutierrez, lalabas muli sa GMA-7?
ANOTHER ACTION SERIES IN 2024
Kinumpirma ni Richard na action series uli ang gagawin niyang proyekto, at posibleng nakapila ito bandang January 2024.
"Yes, I think that's enough time for preparation, for planning. Kasi ang hirap tapatan nung The Iron Heart, to be honest.
"Kailangan naming mag-isip ng panibagong konsepto, at kung paano namin iaangat pa yung level from The Iron Heart, in terms of action and in terms of storytelling, locations.
"So, kailangan talaga ng matinding planning. So, think first quarter of next year I think is just the right time."
Nang tanungin kung posibleng gumawa siya ng drama series tulad ng mga proyekto niya noon, ipinaliwanag ni Richard na mas gusto niyang mag-focus sa action genre.
"Right now, ang focus ko is really on developing my strength and my skills as an actor, and I really enjoy doing action. I really enjoy telling action-packed stories.
"I think para rin siya sa buong pamilya pag gumawa ka ng action. Kuha mo ang male audience, kuha mo yung mga bata, and you can tell so many different stories with an action series."
May halo pa rin naman daw romance ang proyektong ginagawa niya.
"And all the romance, the drama is still part of that journey. But you're adding action element to it. That's captivating audiences and may wow factor.
"You're still telling normal stories. You just give it another layer of action."
Hindi raw nakaramdam ng burnout si Richard kahit na challenging ang paggawa ng action scenes.
"Nung pinasok ko naman yung action sa teleserye at pelikula, alam ko naman kung gaano siya kahirap gawin.
"Before doing a project I prepare myself mentally, physically and spiritually, as much as I can.
"Hindi lang naman ako ang nagsa-sacrifice dito, e. Yung buong team namin nagsa-sacrifice. Baka nga mas malaki pa yung sakripisyo ng ibang tao sa set kesa sa akin."
Insipirado rin daw si Richard sa sipag ni Coco Martin.
"Nakatrabaho ko si Coco Martin, di ba, ng dalawang taon sa Ang Probinsyano?
"Wala siyang kapaguran, at nakita ko yun sa kanya. It's because of his passion. And because of the people he works with.
"And, I was able to see that and get inspired by that, as well."
Read: Richard Gutierrez reacts to sister Ruffa's blooming romance with Herbert Bautista
CO-MANAGED BY STAR MAGIC and annabelle
Ibinalita rin ni Richard na siya ay co-managed na ng Star Magic, ang talent management arm ng ABS-CBN, at ng ina niya na si Annabelle.
"My mom has been there since the beginning of my career. And right now, she entrusted me with Star Magic, and I'm officially a Star Magic artist.
"My mom is there to help, guide, support and you know, collaborate with Star Magic and ABS-CBN.
"Gaya nga ng sabi ni Tita Cory kanina [sa contract signing], my mom was a big help for filming in Cebu City.
"We shot in Cebu for eight months. So, ang laking tulong ang naibigay ng Rama clan sa Cebu. Kaya naipakita natin ang ganda ng Cebu sa The Iron Heart."
"So, she's there as a support system and a guiding factor for everything."
Read: Why Richard Gutierrez thinks it's not yet time for sons Zion and Kai to enter showbiz
ON WORKING WITH OTHER KAPAMILYA STARS
Sino ang iba pang Kapamilya stars na gusto rin niyang makatrabaho?
"Marami pa akong di nakatrabaho sa Kapamilya Network," sagot ni Richard.
Dagdag niya, "I actually looking forward to working with great actors and great actresses na Kapamilya. You know, I'm ready to work with anyone."
Nag-isip siya ng mga pangalang babanggitin, at unang sinagot niya ay si Jodi Sta. Maria na inilarawan niyang "great actress."
Gusto rin niyang makatrabaho sina Gerald Anderson at Kim Chiu, pati na ang young love team nina Donnie Pangilinan at Belle Mariano.
Naisip din ni Richard na sana ay makatrabaho niya uli sina Daniel Padilla at Kathryn Bernardo na nakasama niya noon sa La Luna Sangre.