Richard, KC in Vienna

WE asked how Richard Gutierrez KC Concepcion is doing these days? "She's still in the U.S. to attend the premiere nights of 'For the First Time' (in Los Angeles and San Francisco), "he says. "But we keep in touch. I envy her coz she called me up during the premiere night in LA and excited because she meet a lot of people. People coming from various places like Las Vegas and San Diego, they watch the premiere. I'm so happy for KC because she witnessed the success of our movie abroad. But we'll be together at the premiere in Vienna. We're leaving on September 25 and we'll be gone for one week. "

His rivalry with Dingdong Dantes will surely heat up further now that he's been tapped by brandy emperor to be their endorser for their solo P100 million to Business Success campaign, what with Dingdong endorsing a competing brand. What can he say about this?

"Healthy competition between Dingdong and I just so okay because we remain good friends," he says. "Just me, a long time endorser of the emperor and I was included here, my Dad and my brothers. Another, the real success is in the emperor. "

Business Success in the campaign is truly laudable in that it encourages entrepreneurship. All you have to do is look inside your emperor bottle cap to find out if you won. There will be 50 winners of P250, 000 each to start a business but there are also winners of P10, 000 to P100, 000. Each big winner will be encouraged to join a seminar on how to start their own business. "There'll also be an emperor Hotline where people setting up their own business can call and make consultations," says Richard. "Emperor will help them every step of the way and monitor how their business is going."

In his case, given the chance, what kind of business he would put up? "I'd like to have an Internet cafe, which is very timely in this Era of information technology. Many people in the province to unprecedented access to the Internet and it'd help them if they accessed Internet cafe. "

Does he really drink brandy emperor? "I do, with my family, if we're all free on Sundays and when there's a celebration, but I mix it with pineapple juice."

Richard is rejoicing because his "Codename: Asero" continues to enjoy high ratings. He and leading lady Heart Evangelista just did their first hot love scene together. This was shot in a beach resort in Bataan and the place is so idyllic and beautiful. "It is the setting in Hawaii because of beauty," he says. "Inabot of several takes because we all want the love scene to be perfect. The love scene will be seen tonight, Thursday, so do not miss it. "