Richard dates two actresses in New York

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Richard Gutierrez is back from his trip to New Jersey and New York.

He rested only for a day and is now back on the set of "Zorro" in Bagac, Bataan to resume the taping of his hit period-action series. He's glad to be able to have some rest in the States even if only for a few days. "There was one whole day na nagtulog lang ako sa hotel," he says. "Kaya nakabawi na ako sa lahat ng puyat sa trabaho ko. Then after that, namasyal na kami sa New York, took the dinner cruise around Manhattan and walked around Times Square kunsaan located ang hotel where we stayed. "

He wants to thank his fans (members of KChardees) who went to Manhattan just to see him personally and took the dinner cruise with him which took three hours. They asked him if he already greeted KC who celebrated her birthday and he said he already texted his special message to her a day before. "I can't forget her birthday kasi pareho sila ng birthday ng youngest brother kong si Ritchie Paul," says Richard. Ritchie Paul was traveling with him that time. The fans had a grand time taking their photos with Richard in front of various New York City landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty.

While in the Big Apple, Richard and Ritchie Paul got to visit the MOMA (Museum of Modern Arts) and watched some plays on Broadway, like the musical "Wicked," and an NBA game at the Madison Square Garden with Rhian Ramos and Rufa Mae Quinto. "It's a brief but very relaxing vacation for all of us," he says.

In "Zorro" this week, Richard as Antonio has already assumed the identity of the masked avenger and champion of the oppressed. While being pursued by Ramon (TJ Trinidad), he seeks the help of their parish priest, Padre Felipe (Ricky Davao), and hides inside the church. Ramon storms into the church and searches for Zorro but only finds Antonio sleeping inside the confessional box. Because of this, Ramon schemes to have the priest arrested for helping Zorro. He seeks the help of the Chinese businessman, Shihong (Epi Quizon), to pin down the priest. The fabricated charges against Padre Felipe caused him to be arrested, imprisoned and to be punished with lashes on his back. Zorro gets back at those who tortured his priest friend, starting with Shihong who fights him with his knowledge of martial arts. Shihong is defeated and promises Zorro that he will admit that he just lied in court. Zorro then takes revenge on the judge who ordered the punishment of Padre Felipe. He undresses the judge and ties him up near an anthill. Ramon comes along and chases Zorro, but his reliable horse saves him and Zorro calls his horse Buhawi.

MART HOPES TO WIN JENNICA BACK

Mart Escudero turned 19 on April 11, Black Saturday, and he spent his birthday with his family in Cavite. "I really wanted to spend it with my family, sa bahay lang," he says. "A few friends came by to greet me, ganun lang. I'm happy I was able to rest kasi wala kaming taping sa 'Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang'. "

He's elated that his performance as Marian Rivera's drug addicted younger brother is getting a lot of good feedback. "At least, hindi pa-cute lang ang role ko rito kundi may acting talaga dahil marami kaming dramatic scenes ni Ate Marian. "

Last year, Jennica Garcia was with him when he celebrated his birthday. But now, they've already broken up.

"I really miss her," he sighs. "But we remain good friends naman at hindi kami nag-away at all, so nag-uusap pa rin kami nang maayos. "

Is there no hope for a reconciliation? "Up to now, I'm hoping na maayos pa rin sana uli. Pero baka this really had to happen so that we can learn from our mistakes. This could be the right path na dapat talagang pagdaanan namin for our own good. Usapan namin, wala munang makikipag-on sa iba for three months. So malay natin, di ba? Wala pa namang three months, e. The supporters of our love team are praying na maayos sana uli kami, so who knows? Basta ako, hindi nanliligaw sa iba and I hope hindi pa rin siya muna nagpapaligaw sa iba. "

It's said their love team will have to go as each of them would be paired with other stars. "Kung 'yun ang plan ng GMA, I guess they know what's best for us. We both have to grow. Pero sana, magkatrabaho pa rin kami uli nang magkasama balang araw. "

ANGELU NO CHASER IN REAL LIFE

PLAYING the villanous Heleen in "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" is one of the most challenging roles Angelu de Leon has ever played. "In public, galit sa akin ang fans nina Marian Rivera at Dingdong Dantes dahil sa ginagawa kong pang-aapi sa kanila," she says. "The role of Heleen is hard for me kasi I'm not like that in rea life. Siyang naghahabol kay Dingdong as Homer at never kong ginawa 'yun. Sa'kin, kung ayaw sa'kin ng lalaki, di huwag. 'Yung mga ama ng daughters ko (Joko Diaz and Jojo Manlongat), never ko silang hinabol at pinilit kahit magbigay ng support sa mga anak namin. At si Heleen, hyper, sigaw nang sigaw. E, hindi rin ako palasigaw. When our director, Joyce Bernal, tells me na tumawa akong parang demonyo, hirap na hirap ako sa devil laugh na 'yan, huh. But so far, mukhang effective naman ako sa ginagawa ko kasi nga maraming naiinis sa akin. "

What's the difference between Angelu then and now? "Siyempre, I want to think na mas nag-mature na rin naman ako. I'm now definitely closer to God, which is the reason why, if ever I'd have another partner, I want him to be a God-given one. 'Yung talagang nilalaan ni Lord para sa akin. I know that in His own time, He'll send me one na tatanggapin hindi lang ako kundi also my two daughters. If ever, ligawan muna niya ang mga anak ko bago ako, to make sure na magiging isang buong pamilya kami. "

In "Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" this week, Heleen forces Homer to marry her as she's pregnant but her lover (Boom Labrusca) comes along and tells the truth about them also having an affair, so it's not really Homer who's the father of the child she's carrying. Because of this, Hera (Carmi Martin), the mother of Homer, gets mad at her, slaps her, and tells her she's just like Proserfina (Marian Rivera) who's messing up her son's peaceful life.

NOT WORTH IT?

TV networks and various publications sent their writers and crew to Boracay to hound the stars who spent Holy Week there but all they got was non-interesting stories about nameless starlets who made a spectacle of themselves like a hunky model who fought with a security guard and got arrested for it, two dancers who quarelled with a man who told them to stop the music they're playing on their ipod and a beauty queen who also fought with another woman.

And all this fighting happened during Holy Week, a time for peace and reflection. Is it worth the expense to report on these unedifying incidents? The only big name in Boracay was Sen. Bong Revilla who came with his entire family and was photographed hearing mass and taking Holy Communion.

BREAKING THE DUOPOLY

Ryan Agoncillo has reason to rejoice. The reality show he's hosting on TV 5, "Talentadong Pinoy," is really rating so well. One of the network's original concept program, it has broken in the Top 10 and is now fighting head to head in the double-digit-ratings game with ABS-CBN's and GMA-7's Saturday primetime shows.

This can be viewed as a significant leap for TV5 because it shows that the network is indeed a strong third contender and that it is attracting more viewers who welcome TV5's fresh programming alternative that is very different from the shows offered by the two giant networks. Local TV is now starting to be a three-way game as third player TV5 shakes the broadcast landscape by breaking the two giant stations' long-time duopoly in the coveted Top 10 slots of TV programs in terms of viewership ratings. TV5's continuous marketing and promotional strategies seem to be paying off as the network's programs steadily gain popularity and attract more viewers. TV5 SVP for brand management Jasper Evangelista says: "We're extremely pleased with the Talentadong Pinoy ratings and very proud of this achievement. We would like to recognize and thank our viewers for the support. Thank you very much for the trust you have given us. Rest assured that TV5 will come out with more quality shows like Talentadong Pinoy to provide the viewers more exciting choices on TV. "

"Talentadong Pinoy" is expected to rake in more viewership ratings as host Ryan Agoncillo celebrates his birthday on the show with fiancee Judy Ann Santos as Talent Scout guest and a jury composed of his closest friends. It airs every Saturday at 6 p. m. on TV5.

STAR-STUDDED FINAL WEEK

IT'S the final week of "Family Feud" and it'll be a star-studded show tonight as Starstruck graduates from different batches try their luck for the jackpot. Who will survive between the Boys Next Door Family? of Mike Tan, Paulo Avelino, Vivo Quano and Mart Escudero versus the Sweethearts Family? of LJ Reyes, Jewel Mische, Jade Lopez and Kris Bernal? From Tuesday to Thursday, regular families will try to defend their "honor" in claiming the huge jackpot prize over one million pesos.

And on Friday, the hilarious team of Bubble Gang will make viewers roll with laughter with Angelina (Ogie Alcasid), Rufa Mae Quinto, Boy 2 Quizon and Diego Ilorico going head-to-head with the All-Star K Family of Jaya and the K Girls (Christine Dandan, Pauleen Miranda and Jamby Lim). Since its premiere last October, Family Feud has transformed weeknight viewing into a family affair through quality entertainment. Game master Richard Gomez has undeniably made his mark as the perfect host for the show. The exciting finale week special of Family Feud airs from April 13 to April 17 right before 24 Oras only on GMA.

Source: People's Journal