‘Zorro’ ready to face accuser

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Richard Gutierrez is leaving for the US on April 2 to join the "Eat Bulaga" show in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 4. He will be leaving with "Zorro" leading lady Rhian Ramos, so they are now taping some episodes of their show in advance on their set in Bagac, Bataan.

Richard is quite excited as it’s his first time to visit the US East Coast. He intends to stay in New York for a few days watch shows in Broadway and an NBA game at Madison Square Garden with his youngest brother Richie Paul. He’ll also be meeting some of his high school friends there. He’s scheduled to return to Manila on April 10 (Good Friday) and just rest for one day before resuming the taping of "Zorro."

Richard is just laughing off the rumor that he had a big fight with former "TGIS" actor Mike Flores (now married to Nina Ricci Alagao) at the recent birthday party of director Mark Reyes. "It’s not true," he says. "Ang hilig talagang mag-imbento ng ibang tao. May nangyari pa raw tutukan ng baril. Lahat kami ng mga kasama ko sa ‘Zorro’ were there at walang anumang away na nangyari. I really don’t know kung bakit nagkaroon ng ganyang intriga. Kung sinuman ang naglabas ng ganyang tsismis, I challenge him to face me and I will confront him."

Even Direk Mark Reyes himself says no such thing happened. "I’m ready to be interviewed just to clear Richard’s name," he says. "Nahihiya nga ako sa kanya at nang may nag-invent ng ganyang kuwento, sa party ko pa naman."

Annabelle Rama suspects whoever cooked up the story is mad with Richard because "Zorro" is rating very well. "Obvious na gustong i-put down ang anak ko dahil naiinggit sa kanya. Puwes, sa ginagawa nila, lalong pagpapalain ang anak ko at mas tataas pa ang rating ng ‘Zorro,’" says Richard’s protective mom.

The top executive of Pep (which reported the rumor), Joan Maglipon, has since apologized for the faux pas.

***

Gretchen Barretto got the platinum record award from Star Records executive Annabelle Regalado last Sunday in "ASAP" for her first album, "Unexpected," a certified hit that deserves a second album so she’s now releasing "Complicated," which she says is a title that fits her and her life perfectly. The music video of its carrier single, "Ready to Take a Chance Again" by Barry Manilow, was shown at the album launching and it’s quite sexy, with Greta cavorting with a hunky Persian model. The album has an innovative jacket as it comes with different photos of Greta that you can put into the album cover, which is designed like a picture frame.

"There are actually 12 different photos na puedeng pagpalit-palitin depende sa mood mo or what your favorite song in the album is," she says. "The album has 14 songs kaya you have many choices."

Two songs are original compositions: "This Far" (which carries a nice message) by Louie Ocampo and Angelo Villegas, and "Complicated" by Archie D., with lyrics by Rachel Ann Wolfe. The revivals (chosen by her) include "Special Memory," "Tell Me," "I’ll Be There for You," "Memories," "Trouble with Hello is Goodbye" (said to be Tonyboy Cojuangco’s favorite), "Never My Love," and "Looking Through the Eyes of Love."

A few days before the launching, she had a revealing interview with her manager, Boy Abunda, in "The Buzz." Boy told her that the public perception of her is she’s very rich. How much is she worth?

"I think I’m priceless. If you’re referring to material wealth, I don’t count it. Baka sabihin ng tao, nagyayabang ako."

The public believes you have everything. Do you?

"No. I’m fond of taking fotos now. A friend gave me a small digital camera, but I want a professional camera sana. I don’t have that."

Who are the three men with the biggest impact in your life?

"First is Kuya Germs, then Robbie Tan. In 1988, when I was 18, I was in Kuya Germs’ ‘GMA Supershow’ and I was getting only P2,750 per Sunday. I approached Robbie Tan to give me projects kasi I have no movies then. So dahil dun nagawa kong buhay ang sarili ko. Then Boy Abunda because I can run to him no matter what happens."

What about someone she’s in love with?

"Tama na. I don’t wanna cry."

What is love for you?

"It’s like crystal. You have to handle it with care. When you take good care of love, you can see its sparkle. If you hold it too tightly, it might break, and you can’t mend it anymore. That’s love. It’s complicated." Why? "Because when your situation is complicated, love also becomes complicated. You have to be courageous and if you really love the person, you have to go for it, fight for it."

If there’s one guy who she doesn’t want to say goodbye to her, who would it be? Gretchen doesn’t answer.

How important is a wedding to you?

"I live for the moment when I will finally say I do."

How would you describe your groom?

"He’s talented. He sings. He’s also got a complicated life. He’s got a golden smile. He holds on even when I choose to let go."

What song will you sing to your groom?

She sings: "You ask me if there’ll come a time when I’ll grow tired of you. Never my love, never my love."

Has your groom already proposed to you: "Will you marry me?" Again, Gretchen refuses to answer.

***

When Paolo Contis turned 25 recently, his mom didn’t join his birthday celebration as a sign that she still has not approved of his current girlfriend, EB Babe Lian Paz, and that she continues to be more partial to his ex, Isabel Oli. Paolo says he’s confident that in due time, his mom will see that Lian is a good partner for him and will eventually learn to accept her.

He denies, though, the rumor that Lian is already preggy. He said he was just kidding when he said he’d want to join the game show he’s hosting, "My Dad is Better than Your Dad," as a contestant with his own kid. "Malayo pa ‘yun," he says.

Paolo is now also one of the most hated guys on TV for his role as Rado, Marian Rivera’s overbearing boyfriend in "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" who’s cruel and abusive.

"Well, it can only mean na effective ang pagiging contravida ko. Marami talagang nagsasabi sa’king galit sila sa’kin kasi malupit at mayabang ako. Wala ring awa kung sampalin ko’t saktan si Marian as Proserfina."

This week in "Babaeng Hinugot," the story becomes more thrilling when Proserfina and Homer (Dingdong Dantes) succeed in escaping from the clutches of the ruthless Rado who chases them. The cops get to arrest Rado but he manages to shoot Homer and Proserfina becomes distraught as he hovers between life and death.

What can Paolo say about the story that Isabel Oli is now playing beautiful music with cager Wesley Gonzales?

"Bakit? Umamin na ba siya?" he says. "Well, kung totoong sila na nga, di okay. Ibig sabihin, naka-move on na rin siyaand I’m happy for them."

Isabel still denies but, as they say, action speaks louder than words. She’s constantly seen with Wesley and he even followed her to Boracay when she had a vacation there recently.

Source: Malaya

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