Young actor Richard Gutierrez also directs stunts in "Codename: Asero"

Nerisa Almo

Thursday, July 10, 2008
01:25 PM

Richard Gutierrez gets two roles in GMA-7's newest teleserye, Codename: Asero—as an actor and fight director.

In the grand presscon held last night, July 9, at the AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Richard received several praises from the media for the stunts that he has directed for Codename: Asero.

The 24-year-old actor humbly took them and said that he couldn't have done it without his team. "I don't wanna take the whole credit kasi I'm working with a whole bunch of people. I'm working with a team, mayroon akong fight choreographer na si Ralph Roxas, and of course, pinapakinggan ko rin ang mga suggestions ni Direk Mark at ng producers ko. So I don't wanna take full credit but this time around, I'm more hands on and more creative with my stunts."

With this, Richard admitted that Asero would be a harder job than his previous TV project. But he never let this stop him from pushing himself further.

In fact, he said, "Every show naman, may bigat, e. Every show, may kahirapan. Every show, pinaghahandaan. This time, talagang we just took it another step higher, we just challenged ourselves and we wanted to make it better and better. Siguro isa 'yon kung bakit mahirap 'yong show, tsina-challenge namin ang mga sarili namin."

MOST EXPENSIVE TV PROJECT. After the grand presentation of the cast members, Ms. Wilma Galvante, GMA-7's senior vice president for entertainment, revealed to the press that Codename: Asero is their most expensive TV project so far.

She said, "If you ask me, I know you always ask how much does it costs, I will tell you honestly, frankly, this is the most expensive one so far. Talagang nagpaliwanag kami kay FLG [Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, CEO and Chairman of GMA Network], ‘Atty. Gozon, payagan ninyo kami dito dahil maganda ito.'"

When Richard learned about it, all he could say was: "Well, I'm thankful. I'm very, very thankful that siyempre pinagtitiwalaan ako ng GMA-7. I mean, hindi naman ako nag-demand no'n pero ibinibigay nila sa akin nang kusa that's why I'm very thankful. Ibig sabihin no'n, may tiwala sila sa kakayahan ko, sa team namin, so I'm very happy and I'm very thankful."

He also clarified that he did not have anything to do with convincing the network to be part of the creative team of Codename: Asero.

"Actually, hindi naman ako nag-convince sa kanila," Richard explained. They just gave me this project and they gave me this opportunity. They've always known naman na I'm always interested in being part of the creative, alam naman nila na may passion ako for directing fight sequences. So, this time, we just want to take it a step higher, to challenge myself more. Binigyan nila ako ng opportunity to choreograph and direct my own stunts."

With this new job, does this mean that Richard is being paid separately as fight director?

He smiled and answered indirectly, "When we were negotiating for my new contract, when we were talking regarding my new contract, sinabi ko na maging fight director. Doon sa contract, lahat na 'yon."

Richard said that he also wanted to do action movies someday. Also, his job as fight director could be a stepping stone for him to direct his own film. "Sana mabigyan ako ng ganung pagkakataon, that would be really good for me," ended Richard.