For Richard, it’s business as usual

Just because his hit TV starrer Be Careful With My Heart with Jodi Sta. Maria has ended (after several extensions) doesn’t mean that Richard “Ser Chief” Yap has prematurely rested on his laurels and given up his title as, with due respect to current “title-holder” Ian Veneracion (A Love To Last), Kilabot ng Mga Matrona. Never mind if they know that Richard is happily married (to former flight stewardess Melody, with whom he has two children), the women haven’t gotten over their fascination with; they continue to swoon.

The good news is that, after renewing his contract with the Kapamilya Network last February, Richard will topbill a TV series but he’s not yet at liberty to discuss the details, leaving fans hopeful that it will reunite him with Jodi. Well, Richard and Jodi did reunite last week but only for the blessing of Cole & Ash International Systems Corporation, a trading company which he put up with partners, dealing in the distribution, supply and installation of office systems, flooring, storage and other services.

Jodi was among the star guests at the blessing of his new business located in BGC (Bonifacio Global City), named for his children Dylan Cole and Ashley Sandrine. Other guests included SM’s Hans Sy, Richard Poon and wife Maricar Reyes, and Nikki Valdez and boyfriend Luis Garcia.

 “I don’t go into a business that I don’t know anything about,” said Richard, 50, who is business-minded like most Chinese (he was educated at a Chinese school in his native Cebu). “I make sure that I know the ins and outs and the ABCs of any business that I venture into.”

Before he and his friends put up Luna J and Wangfu restaurants (both at Il Terrazo, corner Tomas Morato Avenue and Scout Madrinan, Quezon City; the other Wangfu nearby also along Morato has folded up), Richard took up Culinary Arts. Same with Cole & Ash.

“I learned about the business from working at a friend’s furniture business for more than 20 years,” revealed Richard. “Our family is in interior design business and I’m using what I learned from it in Cole & Ash. We are guided by what we call the H.I.G.H.E.R. (Honesty, Integrity, Good Heart, Expertise and Reliability).”

Which is presumably Richard’s guiding principle in his career which is “business as usual.”

Among the other guests were (from left) Luis Garcia and girlfriend Nikki Valdez, Maricar Reyes (Right, with husband Richard Poon) and Jodi Sta. Maria

Undaunted by his abortive TV series with Judy Ann Santos (now hosting the Kapamilya show Bet On Your Baby), Richard is happily going with the flow. He has been busy with guestings (Kapamilya shows like FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, etc.) and doing movies including special appearance in a Vice Ganda starrer and an impressive turn as the estranged father of John Lloyd Cruz in Just The 3 of Us, an award-worthy performance that cemented his status as a serious drama actor (aside from being a romantic idol).

“I’m thankful that my supporters are there for me,” said Richard. “They are the ones who keep me going.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)