Richard Gutierrez wants to work with this Kapuso star

Richard Gutierrez (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Bigger. badder. bolder. This is how Richard Gutierrez describes the future episodes of the hit Kapamilya series "The Iron Heart" which continues to impress viewers with its over-the-top action spectacle. During a brunch with the entertainment press at SuperSam restaurant in Timog, Quezon City last Wednesday, Richard discussed making fight scenes in the series and how much they like doing it. "Minsan talaga may mga pasa pero huwag lang talaga yung sobrang aksidente. Safety pa rin ang top priority namin. Sa mga fight scenes talaga hindi maiiwasan yun at sorry na lang ang katapat," said Richard when asked about sustaining injuries during fight scenes. (Sometimes there are bruises, but it's okay as long as it's not a serious accident. Safety is still our top priority. In fight scenes, it's really unavoidable and we can only say sorry.)
When asked about the most difficult scene he shot in the series, Richard answered: "Marami na kaming nagawang difficult na fight scenes. But we try to level up each fight. I guess our challenge is time because sometimes we have limited time. Pero one of my favorite fight scenes na ginawa namin ay yung sa amin ni Baron Geisler. Si Baron kasi napakahusay at nakakadala yung acting niya. Intense talaga yung character niya at nang-aasar pa. Yung fight scene namin ni Baron parang yun ang isa sa mga highlights kasi it involved the family of the characters. It's so challenging. First two days namin in Cebu yun kaagad ang kinunan namin." (We have done many difficult fight scenes. But we try to level up each fight. I guess our challenge is time because sometimes we have limited time. But one of my favorite fight scenes we did was the one between us and Baron Geisler. Baron is very good and his acting is captivating. His character is really intense and even teasing. The fight scene between me and Baron seems to be one of the highlights because it involved the family of the characters. It's so challenging. In our first two days in Cebu, we immediately shot that.) Richard also revealed that at some point, he had become very weak during action scenes, but he won't give up. "Minsan nagkakasakit na ako pero there's no turning back. Physically taxing ang series pero ginusto ko ito eh. I think hinahanap talaga ng audience ang fight scenes kasi visually entertaining siya," he said.
(Sometimes I get sick but there's no turning back. The series is physically taxing but I liked it. I think the audience is really looking for the fight scenes because it's visually entertaining.) Despite the bruises and slight injuries of some casting members, Richard said the team's collaborative effort has made it easier for them to shoot difficult scenes. In addition to the fact that their director Lester Pimentel Ong is open to suggestions, they made sure that each of them knew his own strength. "Collaborative ang effort namin pagdating sa fight scenes kaya masarap yung pakiramdam kasi si Direk Lester Pimentel Ong very open to suggestions. Kilala na namin yung isa't isa kaya we know our strengths at kung ano yung tama para sa amin. That's why napapadali na namin yung process as compared sa simula. Ngayon nga may mga fight scenes kami na mas madali pa naming ginagawa kesa sa talking scenes. May mga fight scenes kami na we can do it in 30 minutes. Minsan mas mahaba pa yung talking scenes," Richard said. (Our effort is collaborative when it comes to the fight scenes, so it feels good because Director Lester Pimentel Ong is very open to suggestions. We already know each other so we know our strengths and what is right for us. That's why it's easier we did the process as compared to the beginning. Now we have fight scenes that we do more easily than talking scenes. We have fight scenes that we can shoot in 30 minutes. Sometimes the talking scenes are even longer.)
Asked what to expect in the series, Richard said: "There will be surprises but we are not allowed to discuss it. We also enjoy Cebu. Para na kaming barkada at pamilya sa set. Pag may problem, we adjust and at the same time have fun." (We are like friends and family on set. When there is a problem, we adjust and at the same time have fun.) Possible collaborations? Richard said the collaboration between GMA Network and ABS-CBN is a welcome move. "Sobrang good news yun. We never thought na mangyayari yun. Now nangyayari na s'ya. Nagtutulungan sila and they're sharing talents. Magandang news yan kasi maraming artists na gustong makasama or makatrabaho ang isa't isa. Sana tuloy-tuloy na maging successful yung collaboration nila. Given a chance gusto ko rin makipag-collaborate with other stars," he also said. (That's very good news. We never thought that would happen. Now it's happening. They're working together and they're sharing talents. That's good news because there are many artists who want to be with or work with each other. I hope it continues and that their collaboration will become successful. Given a chance, I also want to collaborate with other stars). Richard said that it would be an honor to work with Dingdong Dantes. "Kami ni Dingdong (Dantes), never pa talaga kami nagkasama sa isang project. Nagsama lang kami sa "Mulawin: The Movie" at parang guest lang siya. Wala pa kaming eksena together. It would be great to work with him. I'm happy for him. Nakakasama ko ang ls'ya madalas sa motorcycle team. Si Marian naman hindi ko pa nakakasama sa TV series," he added. (Dingdong (Dantes) and I have never worked together on a project. We only did 'Mulawin: The Movie' and he was just a guest. We haven't had a scene together yet. It would be great to work with him. I'm happy for him. I often spend time with him on the motorcycle team. Marian Rivera and I haven't been on a show together.)
After "The Iron Heart," Richard said that it would be nice to do a light project. "Pwede naman siya i-comibine na parang action-comedy. I want to do something light na love story pero may taste of action. Puwede mo naman siyang pagsamahin sa isang project. Pero nakaka-miss talaga gumawa ng mga light projects like comeday at rom-com. Ang bigat ng 'The Iron Heart' so nakaka-miss gumawa ng light projects," the actor said. (You can have a project that's both action and comedy. I want to do something light like a love story but with a taste of action. But I really miss doing light projects like comedy and rom-com. 'The Iron Heart' is so serious so I miss doing light projects.) Richard said he was invited to join politics, but he feels this is not his field. (Some groups have approached and asked questions. But it doesn't seem to be one of my priorities. You can't tell the future but as of now, it's not my priority.)