The Gutierrez family reality series coming soon on E!

Until yesterday when it was announced at a presscon by Scott McKenzie, NBC Universal VP of Channels for Asia, Annabelle Rama was mum for five months (a feat considering how transparent she is!) about what channel their show It Takes Gutz To Be a Gutierrez will be aired.

Confirmed: The show’s home is none other than E!, the global destination for “Pop of Culture” and the renowned leader in entertainment news, with One Mega Group’s TV100 as producer. It will give audiences across Southeast Asia an access pass to the Gutierrez family.

Said Michael Carandang (former producer for America’s Next Top Model), Business Unit head of One Mega Group’s TV100, “It’s the first of its kind in the Philippines and, as both fans of E! and the Gutierrez family, it’s a dream come true for One Mega Group and TV100 to be part of this exciting new show; we consider it a match made in red-carpet heaven.”

It’s also a “dream come true” especially for Annabelle who has long been fantasizing about “going international,” never mind if, because it’s reality-TV, she and the other Gutierrezes will be shown as they are, sans script, waking up with faces unwashed in the morning, arguing like any typical family, sneezing and coughing while nursing a nasty cold, at their best attending socials and whatever any family goes through in this journey called Life.

“Finally, I will have the chance to show off my designer clothes and jewelry na matagal nang nakatago sa baul,” announced Annabelle who showed up at yesterday’s presscon in a lusty-red dress by Rajo Laurel. With her were husband Eddie, and their children Ruffa and twins Richard and Raymond. “Ruffa has been reminding me to speak English but I said magta-Taglish ako kung kina-kailangan kasi ‘yan ang natural ko. Kaya nga reality show, eh!”

Set to be launched later this year on E! SkyCable Channel 57, Cignal Channel 25 and Cablelink Channel 33, the show will lay wider open the Gutierrezes’ already, as Ruffa aptly put it, “open book,” revealing how they are away from the limelight, in the confines of their home or while on cruise around Asia with stops in various cities for some sight-seeing and shopping.

Said Annabelle, who is a co-producer of the show, “Marami pa kayong malalaman about the Gutierrezes,” threatening to reveal (“unintentionally,” hahaha!) hitherto well-kept family secrets. “One thing I am proud of is that I was right in courting Eddie,” she repeated what she has been saying in interviews. “He gave me beautiful children. Hindi lahat ng babae may lakas ng loob at tapang na manligaw sa isang lalaki…ako lang!” She made Eddie blush and made the media guys laugh loudly.

For a few months, showbiz-watchers were wondering why the Gutierrezes, particularly the unbridled Annabelle, were so quiet (“Walang eskandalo,” stressed Annabelle). It turned out that they, in connivance with One Mega Group/TV100, were hatching a huge show but reminded (nay, “warned!”) not to squeal and keep everything under wraps.

Also included in the show are the couple’s other children Elvis, Rocky and Richie Paul, plus Richard’s girlfriend Sarah Lahbati.

And, oh yes, the Gutierrez grandchildren will be in it, too.

Asked how many mga apo she and Eddie have, Annabelle was unruffled, not making any Freudian slip.

“Abangan n’yo na lang sa show,” she broke into a pregnant smile.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)