Richard is KC’s special guest in birthday beach party

By: Mario E. Bautista
Freehand

Richard Gutierrez will no longer be seen in “S.O.P.” This coming Sunday will be his last appearance for the grand farewell promo of his hit show, “Kamandag”, that will have its last telecast on April 25.

Richard and his management team led by his mom, Annabelle Rama, decided it’s best for him not to appear in the Sunday show anymore to avoid further intrigues. It will be recalled that we wrote here earlier that Annabelle feels bad that Richard is given only minimal exposure in the show, compared to Dingdong Dantes who is given more numbers. Annabelle says it’s because the show’s executive producer is also Dingdong’s manager. “But when he has to promote a new show or movie, my son will still appear in ‘S.O.P.’, pero hindi na regular na every Sunday,” adds Annabelle.

We asked Richard himself, who was on his way to the taping of the finale of “Kamandag” in Tanay, if he has a personal “tampo” on Dingdong. “I have no ill feelings toward him,” he says. “I’m even happy that he’s doing good. Kung may competition man between us, it’s on a healthy professional level. Hindi personal since we’ve known each other for a long time. Whatever is happening sa aming managers, I don’t let it affect ‘yung samahan namin ni Dingdong.”

But is it true there are some moves of some GMA staffers, like what his mom alleges, that are made at his expense, like his minimal exposure in “S.O.P.” and his birthday greetings to GMA Boss Atty. Felipe Gozon being deleted? “Totoo namang nangyari ang mga ‘yan, pero ayokong mag-isip ng masama sa kapwa ko. I know this is a cutthroat business and only the strong survives, so all I know is I really have to be strong.”

What about KC Concepcion? Is it true they now have an understanding and KC means Kay Chard na ‘yan? “Saan n’yo naman nakuha ‘yan? If that were true, then I’m the last to know.” Did he greet KC on her birthday? “Yes. I dropped by her beach party. I’ll never forget her birthday kasi ka-birthday niya two of my brothers, sina Elvis and Richie Paul on April 7.”

Where was the party held? “Sa Batangas. Don’t ask me about details anymore dahil kung siya nga mismo, she doesn’t talk about her party. Tapos, mauuna pa ba akong magsalita?” And what’s his gift to her? “Secret. Sa amin na lang ‘yun.”

What about the movie they’re supposed to do? “I don’t know. I’m praying na sana matuloy.”

Is KC girlfriend material? “Definitely, in all aspects. But right now, my main focus is my career and I think ganun din siya. I’m really so busy and this is the main reason why I’m leaving ‘S.O.P.’ Kasi nga, busy na ako each weekday, tapos Sunday ko, work pa rin.

So I want naman to have time for my friends and family, and also to rest. Right now, hands on ako in each show I do. Like in ‘Kamandag’, kasama ako sa creative team that brainstormed what will happen sa climax. Ilang beses na-revise ito.

The stunt I did yesterday, I helped choreograph at inabot ng five hours dahil may accident sa harness ko and my brother Rocky, tinamaan ako ng sword sa kamay in a fight scene.

Viewers should really watch out for the final scenes of ‘Kamandag’ dahil pinaganda namin ito nang husto, puno ng action, ng drama, at maganda pati love story.”

Richard is due to sign his new contract with GMA-7 next week and “S.O.P.” will no longer be a part of it. His next show after “Kamandag” will be “Asero” that will partly be shot in Dubai and where he’ll play a sharpshooter. Meantime, while in between shows, Richard will do a guest role in his mom’s comeback movie, “Monster Mom”. He will play his own dad, Eddie Gutierrez, as a younger man, while Rhian Ramos will play the young Annabelle.