Richard sues PEP

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Richard Gutierrez is back from his trip to New Jersey and New York. He must now be back on the set of "Zorro" in Bagac, Bataan to resume the taping of his hit period-action series. Hes 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."

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. The fans had a grand time taking their photos with him in front of New York City landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. He also got to visit the MOMA (Museum of Modern Arts), 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 was a brief but very relaxing vacation for all of us," he says.

In "Showbiz Central" last Sunday, Richard declared that his whole family has decided to go on with the filing of a lawsuit against PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) for not retracting their earlier report that Richard figured in a fight with Michael Flores at the birthday party of director Mark Reyes and even pointed a gun at Mike. Guests at the party and the celebrant himself all denied such an incident happened.

"Ive been taking good care of my name," Richard says. "I wont let them destroy it."

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. Because of this, Ramon had the priest arrested. Ramon also connives with Chinese businessman Shihong (Epi Quizon) to pin down the priest.

The fabricated charges against Padre Felipe caused him to be imprisoned and punished by being whipped 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 to 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 so that ants can bite him. Ramon comes along and chases Zorro, but his reliable horse saves him and Zorro calls his horse Buhawi.

***

Several GMA Artist Center talents are in the news these days. Mike Tan, male grand winner of "Starstruck Batch 2," is said to be contemplating on leaving GMA to seek his luck somewhere else. Jackie Rice, "Starstruck Batch 3" female winner, is said to be playing beautiful music with "Survivors" Jace Flores after she broke up with Biboy Ramirez. Jan Manual of "Startstruck Batch 4," whos making waves as the funnyman in "Startalk Struck Attack" aping Manny Pacquiao, was reportedly arrested by a cop in Makati.

Mike Tan says its not true hes leaving GMA-7. "Nagulat nga ako sa balitang yan as its definitely not true," he says. "Im now playing a good role as the older brother of Kris Bernal in Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? and Im also still under contract with GMA, so bakit ako aalis? Ang sabi ko, gusto kong bumalik sa pag-aaral in college this June. But it doesnt mean iiwanan ko na ang GMA-7."

About Jackie Rice, she admits she has broken up with Biboy Ramirez but quickly adds its not true that shes now getting cozy with the hunky Jace Flores. "Nali-link lang kami because he has joined us in the cast of Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang and he plays my first boyfriend," she says. "I married early in the story kay Kiel Rodriguez,na pinagbintangan naman ni Carmi Martin, ang mother namin niDingdong Dantes, na isang magnanakaw. So Jace returns to my life at heto, nabalitang kami na raw, pero tsismis lang yun."

As for Jan Manual, he says its true he was arrested by a cop while driving due to a minor traffic mistake. "But when he asked me where I was working and I said GMA, tinanong kung anong ginagawa ko roon," he says. "I told him ako yung gumagaya kay Manny Pacquiao and he said,A, ikaw ba yun? Nakakatawa ka. Tapos, pinagsalita pa niya ako with the accent of Pacman. Pinagsabihan na lang akong mag-ingat and he let me go."

***

Patrick Garcia took the lie detector test in the "Dont Lie to Me" segment of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday to promote his episode with Glaiza de Castro, "Igorota," in "Dear Friend," which started that afternoon but will be pre-empted for two Sundays by the fights of Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria, and later of Pacman. Here are host John Lapus questions to Patrick, who put on some very becoming pounds and looks so clean-cut handsome with his new haircut.

Did Glaizas mom get angry dahil sa kissing scene ninyo sa "Igorota"?

He said no and its true. Glaiza was there and clarified that her mom was just surprised but didnt get mad, and the kissing scene was not with Patrick but with her other leading man, Polo Ravales.

Naging magsyota ba kayo ni Glaiza?

He said no and its a lie.

Binigyan mo raw ng white rose si Glaiza noongValentine then after that, wala na, binitin mo raw siya sa ere? He said yes and its true. He later explained: "Napag-isip-isip ko kasing may mga parte sa buhay ko na dapat ko munang ayusin bago ako ma-in love uli sa ibang tao. Una, ang anak ko, gusto ko siyang makita, alagaan at mahalin."

May natitira ka pa bang pagtingin kay Jennylyn Mercadona mas sexy ngayon?

He said no and its a lie again.

After maayos mo na ang buhay mo, liligawan mo ba si Glaiza?

He says: "Kung okay lang sa kanya."

Host John Lapus (who came in drag thinking BB Gandanghari will be there) turns to Glaiza: May pag-asa ba sa iyo si Patrick?

Glaizas answer: "Tingnan na lang natin."

***

Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria, the Pinoy champs whod be in title matches this coming Sunday, were the guest co-hosts in "Showbiz Central" and they proved to be very competent, very articulate. Manny Pacquiao as the host of "Pinoy Records" certainly pales in comparison, but on the ring, its an entirely different story for Pacman. Pia Guanio, who just returned from her trip to the US with boyfriend Vic Sotto, later interviewed Donaire and Viloria and said she was very much impressed by their hosting skills. Of the two, Nonito, whos from Bohol, is the one whos married, to a female boxer. Brian is not married yet but he does have a girlfriend. We wish these two young men the best of luck and may they both win this Sunday.

In a phone interview with Martin Nievera whos in the US, "Showbiz Central" confirmed that Martin is now preparing for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, not as a pugilist but as the singer wholl interpret our national anthem.

"It was Manny who personally invited me during his birthday party and we were doing karaoke," says Martin. "He told me, I want you to sing the national anthem in my next fight. Ive volunteered many times before so Im glad Im finally doing it. Im really preparing for it. Unang-una, I have to memorize the lyrics dahil hindi puedeng mag-adlib dito. I want the people in MGM Grand (where the fight will take place) to feel na maganda talaga ang national anthem natin. I want to sound like a proud Filipino. This is one of the biggest honors in my career, so Ill try to make our country very proud by singing with all my heart and with all my love."

***

LJ Moreno is now busy doing personal appearances and out of town shows with her colleagues in "Pinoy Fear Factor." But what shes hoping for is to be given a continuing role in a teleserye. "Nami-missko na kasi talaga ang acting," she says.

With regard to her love life, shes now back into the arms of her former boyfriend, cager Jimmy Alapag, who hooked up with "Pinoy Dream Academys" Gemma Fitzgerald after they broke up.

"Pero ilang months lang sila at heto, bumalik din sa akin," says LJ. "We chanced upon each other at the wedding of model Sarah Meier, na nataong 5th anniversary sana namin kung hindi kami nag-split. So ayun, nagkabalikan after magkahiwalay kami ng one year and three months."

So will it be for keeps this time?

"Sana. But were taking it slow muna. Lahat ngfriends nga namin, nagpakasal na. But its better not to rush things. If were really meant for each other, then so be it, hindi kailangang magmadali."

***

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. Im happy I was able to rest kasi wala kamingtaping sa Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang."

Hes elated that his performance as Marian Riveras 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, theyve already broken up.

"I really miss her," he sighs. "But we remain good friendsnaman 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, Im 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 pagdaananan 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. 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."

Its 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 whats best for us. We both have to grow. Pero sana, magkatrabaho pa rin kami uli nang magkasama balang araw.".

Source: Malaya