Richard Gutierrez: Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

Like the character he played in the popular and consistently top-rating GMA telefantaserye Mulawin, Richard Gutierrez’s career soared beyond his expectations in year 2005.

"I can’t believe it," said Richard who is reprising the high-flying half-bird, half-human Aguiluz in Mulawin The Movie, Regal Films and GMA Films’ entry at the 2005 Metro Manila Filmfest. "I’m floating on Cloud 9."

Directed by Dominic Zapata (with Mark Reyes handling the Encantadia scenes), also written by Don Michael Reyes who created the characters of the telefantaserye, the movie picks up where the telefantaserye has left off. Aguiluz and Alwina (played by Angel Locsin), still deep into their mission to save an entire race of half-bird, half-human creatures from a renegade tribe, have decided to embrace the "mortal life" and be together forever and ever, but their journey ends in tragedy when their ship to Tierra Fuego (The Land of Man) is caught in a violent storm. Separated at sea...oops!, wait a minute, I won’t spoil the suspense by telling the whole story so, as you did during the year-long run of the telefantaserye, abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

Let me assure you, though, that every member of the original TV cast is accounted for: Dennis Trillo as Gabriel, Bianca King as Aviona, the Tres Aves (Paolo Contis as Banoy, Boy2Quizon as Palong and Nicole Anderson as Langay), Michael de Mesa as Ravenum (who brought back to life Buwarka, the dragon-like creature slain by the Tres Aves), Sam Bumatay as Wis, Miguel Tanfelix as Gas, Sunshine Dizon as Pirena, Zoren Legaspi as Bagwis, Amy Austria as Lourdes, Allan Paule as Temyong, Mel Kimura as Marta, Julianne Lee as Lagring, Dingdong Dantes as Ybrahim, Iza Calzado as Amihan, Karylle as Alena, Valerie Concepcion as Danaya, Carmina Villarroel as Salimbay, Eddie Gutierrez as Dakila, Dion Ignacio as Tayag, Ralph Roxas as Sindaro and Arthur Solinat as Muros, plus Musang, Hunyango, Hathor, Ravenas, and Banak and Nakba.

You’re familiar with all of them, aren’t you?

"I have a lot to be thankful for," added Richard, keeping his fingers crossed that things will even be better in Year 2006.

Meanwhile, Conversations asked Richard to make two lists (with 10 items each) of what he’s "ringing out" and what he’s "ringing in" as the old year draws to a close and the new year beckons.

What Richard is ringing out (or keeping out)

1. That ugly incident which marred my birthday last January – you know, the clash between my guests and some gatecrashers. I guess I have to learn how to check my temper. Not that I’m temperamental, huh; I’ll just try to stay cool even when provoked. I’ve learned my lesson. I want to forget that incident. I’ll make sure that my next (22nd) birthday celebration (Jan. 21, 2006) will be peaceful and truly fun. Sana walang gatecrashers.

2. My being tardy – sometimes. I can’t help it. Actually, I am often late on the set because of mix-up of schedules. Like, I would be coming from a shooting which ended at 2 a.m. I’d be going to another shooting at 8 a.m. that same day, so I’d have barely three hours of sleep. Sometimes, I oversleep due to exhaustion. But I want to arrange my schedule in such a way that I won’t miss sleep and arrive on the set on time.

3. I tend to overspend so I want to cut down on my expenses. I usually splurge on clothes and gadgets. With me, if there’s a new gadget in the market, gusto ko mayroon kaagad ako.

4. My being indecisive. Sometimes, my mind is set on something but my focus shifts and I end up not doing what I should do. Do some people around me influence my decision-making? Yes, they do. What’s the biggest decision I made in 2005? Buying my own place and moving out of the family residence (in White Plains, Quezon City).

5. My being a playboy? Correction, please. I’m not a playboy. I’m the stick-to-one type. Am I choosy with girls? Medyo. I want a girl, first and foremost, to understand me and my work. She must be tall and sexy. (His girlfriend is Georgina Wilson, the poster girl for Kashieca, also by Bench, one of which attracts a lot of passers-by and motorists near the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, beside Borgy Manotoc’s Blue Soda billboard. Georgina is the daughter of Gloria Diaz’s sister Aurora Diaz. – RFL) How many girlfriends have I had so far? I must admit, marami-rami na rin. But I’m basically faithful.

6. My being careless with my diet. I always want to work out and be healthy but after working and working out so hard, I get so hungry that I eat a lot. Sira ang diet! But I choose the kind of food I eat. I avoid fatty and oily food. No pork, please!

7. Staying out late. I don’t do it often but since I’m busy with work, I should minimize it. These days, my nightlife is down to zero.

8. My bad acting habits, katulad n’ung kumukunot ang noo ko when I’m intense. My directors always call my attention to it. Lagi akong sinasaway ng mga direktor ko. But I’m correcting that mannerism. Once I have time, I want to take up acting lessons, preferably in the States.

9. Although I’ve become more open and open-minded, I’m still basically shy. But I’ve learned to be relaxed with the press. Before, my mind would go blank when I’m face to face with reporters and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

10. I’m thinking of getting rid of my old car. I deserve it because I’ve been working so hard. The one I’m driving now is four years old. I’ll gift myself with a Hummer, my Christmas gift to myself.

What Richard is ringing in (or keeping in)

1. My new place. It’s a labor of love. It’s my sanctuary. There, I’m relaxed and have peace of mind. Do I take home a girl? Hindi pa. (Laughs at his joke). No, I won’t ever bring home a girl. Ayokong mababoy ang place ko.

2. More (TV and movie) offers. After Mulawin, I’m doing Sugo. After that, sana may bago akong teleserye.

3. Angel Locsin. She’s my favorite leading lady on TV and in movies. After Mulawin The Movie, I’m starring with her in (Regal Films’) I Will Always Love You, shot in San Francisco. The good thing about my team-up with Angel is that even if we are not sweethearts in real life, tanggap ng public ang loveteam namin. Today, the (movie) audience has an open mind. They know that maganda ang chemistry namin ni Angel on screen. We look good together. What do I like about Angel? ‘Yung pagiging simple niya. Did I ever court her? I’d rather say that na-develop kami through the times we’ve been working together. We’re better off as friends. (Angel is going steady with Oyo Boy Sotto, cousin of her late boyfriend Miko Sotto. – RFL)

4. All the blessings that I’ve been getting. I don’t know why I’m so lucky and so blessed. I guess I must have done something good to deserve all these rewards. These things are being given to me for a reason.

5. One thing I want to keep is my favorite sleep wear – an old gym boxing shorts na sobrang loose. I’ve been wearing it for years. Otherwise, parang hindi masarap ang tulog ko. Do I ever sleep in the nude? Sometimes.

6. Sharing my blessings with my family. This year, I promise to have our family residence in White Plains renovated. Also, maybe in June next year, the whole family plans to visit Ate Ruffa in Turkey. I want to have time for myself. Actually, I have more than enough time for myself just by the long wait on the set. During those waiting hours, I read books, I go on my laptop and watch movies on DVD or I work out with the gym set (dumbbells, etc.) I keep in my car. What’s the last book that I read? Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

7. I want to do charity work next year. I want to organize an event and donate the proceeds to my favorite charity – an orphanage in Cebu. I also want cancer patients in Manila. I also want to help organize a celebrity road trip. We will visit public schools and donate books.

8. My old friends, mostly not from showbiz. I treasure the friends I’ve made before I entered showbiz. Sila talaga ang mga tunay kong kaibigan. Another thing I want to keep is my old cellphone (8800). But then, I think I better have it updated.

9. My dog Ziggy, a Siberian husky, given to me as a gift by the Eigenmann family two years ago. It’s true: A dog is still man’s best friend, loyal and true. My dog can keep the secrets that humans don’t. Yes, I trust my dog.

10. My harmonious relationship with my mom (Annabelle Rama). Before, I felt that she was forever breathing down my neck. I think she feels that I’m now more responsible and more mature, so she treats me like an adult. What’s the best advice that I got from my mom? A lot – don’t forget to thank the Lord for all the blessings, etc. When I moved to my condo, she asked me to bring along an image of the Sto.Niño. My mom is a Sto.Niño devotee. Did you know that she often goes to Cebu just to hear Mass at the Sto.Niño Shrine? As far as my dad (Eddie Gutierrez) is concerned, no problem. What’s the best advice that I got from my dad? None. Maybe because he thinks that I’m responsible enough to take care of myself.

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