In the land of Zorro

MANILA, Philippines - GMA 7’s Zorro evokes rich images of Philippine culture and history set in the 1900s. The conservative yet sophisticated era is defined by its own set of arts (architecture and fashion) and ways of living (people and traditions).

Royal Era Entertainment talents Richard Gutierrez, TJ Trinidad, Bubbles Paraiso and Michelle Madrigal take the challenge of learning the lifestyles of ilustrados and indios to deliver a closer portrayal of their characters.

This is the best way for the artists to make a connection to the Land of Zorro, shot not in Universal Studios, but in Bagac, Bataan.

Richard playing the title role and Antonio de la Vega/Antonio Pelaez physically fit the swashbuckling character. Richard shares he is happy “to see our hard work on the screen and I’m glad people are complimenting it.”

Zorro is steadily climbing up the ratings game with 36.7 percent as its highest rating so far. The show’s entry to the GMA 7 primetime block has benefited the audience share of Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang and All About Eve. The ratings of Zorro can also be attributed to its time slot, adds Richard.

At this point in his career, it is all work and no play for Richard. He puts all his energy to his work. He has shied away from going to parties and checking out the latest restaurants and bars in the metro.

“I always learn something new every day,” says Richard of his latest TV starrer. “I’m happy that I have the chance to work in a project like this one.”

Asked what’s his reaction that GMA 7 is spoiling him, Richard just smiled and laughed at the question.

Portraying the brothel girl Magda is Bubbles. She says her character is dressed in elaborate costumes with corset. “It seems we have tons of fabric to wrap us. The dress is tight that sometimes could cause backache. But it is fun wearing those costumes,” says Bubbles, who has been modeling for years.

“Magda is playful and aggressive,” says Bubbles. “She has no qualms approaching men.”

In real life, Bubbles is total opposite to her character. If ever she likes someone, she’ll perhaps keep it to herself and love him from afar.

Bubbles says being part of Zorro is an experience. She and the rest of the cast attended a seminar on history. She also took up a lesson in Spanish. Bubbles learned that the then red light district is different from what we know today. Bar girls of that era were not all-out. They didn’t show some skin but were “touchy.”

They are like the geishas of Japan. The ladies entertain their clients by cheering them up and making them drink.

“I’m happy that I got the part,” says TJ Trinidad of playing Ramon Pelaez. “My character is playfully dangerous. He can be compared to a child playing a gun. His life is all about his personal gain. What scares one about my character is not knowing the extent of his ‘badness.’ He does a lot of impunities.”

Discovering the quirks of Ramon challenges the actor in TJ, who also appeared in a period movie Aishite Imasu. TJ also brushed up his Spanish.

Becoming Ramon means making a distinction with TJ’s manner of speaking, not to mention the mannerisms that his role requires him.

“Ramon is something new. My acting is also measured and calculated,” he says.

Like Richard, TJ does physically-challenging scenes like horse chases and fencing bouts.

Michelle, on her part, landed the Juana Manalo role because of her morena beauty.

“I’m an indio who has feelings for Antonio,” says Michelle of her character. “I’m a servant and my role asks me to speak in Tagalog, malalim na Tagalog.”

Juana is the typical prim and proper Maria Clara. She and Zorro’s romance is what we describe “Langit siya, lupa ako” in the vernacular.

“I feel lucky to play Juana because many stars auditioned for the role,” says Michelle.