Following the success of "The Iron Heart" in 2022, actor Richard Gutierrez, now considered The Ultimate Action Star, is ready to take on a new challenge as Jose Bonifacio in the upcoming ABS-CBN series "Incognito."
Those who were able to catch the show's premiere on Netflix January 17, attested to Richard showing his love and passion for full-action projects, describing his performance in "Incognito" as something akin to the Pinoy version of James Bond or Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
During an intimate interview at the Old Swiss Inn on January 10, Richard explained how this passion stemmed from him developing appreciation for martial arts.
"Aside from learning the skills, it's a very humbling experience when you're learning martial arts kasi you can never be a master. You're only a student. You're always learning about yourself, learning from coaches and teammates," Richard said.
(Aside from learning the skills, it's a very humbling experience when you're learning martial arts because you can never be a master. You're only a student. You're always learning about yourself, learning from coaches and teammates)
The actor also added that it was a dream for him to be part of the Navy Seal while living in the US.
"Iniisip ko na yung maging sundalo after high school. Obviously, hindi ako pinayagan ng nanay ko kaya umuwi ako ng Pilipinas. Nagsimula yun kasi may mga kaibigan ako na naging sundalo sa States and parang naging dream ko siya actually to be part of the Navy Seal," Richard added.
(I was thinking about becoming a soldier after high school. Obviously, my mother didn't allow for it so I went back to the Philippines. It's all because I had friends who became soldiers in the States and it seems like he became my dream actually to be part of the Navy Seal)
Preparations for Incognito
What started from a simple fascination watching military-centric films, Richard said that he started taking an interest in private military contractors while still working on "Iron Heart."
"Yung concept nung 'Incognito' na may private military contractor, actually binanggit ko 'yan kay Direk lester during 'Iron Heart,' kasi it's something that I've been researching about, actually binasa ko 'yung books about that, nag research rin ako about Blackwater Ridge, the first group na nakilala tungkol sa private military contractors," Richard said.
(The concept of 'Incognito' as involving a private military contractor, I actually mentioned that directly to Lester during 'Iron Heart,' because it's something that I've been researching about, actually I read books about that, and I also researched about Blackwater Ridge, the first group about private military contractors)
Diving into the world of private military contractors, the actor mentioned how working on the series allowed him to learn about military tactics and movements.
"Dito sa 'Incognito,' mas more on tactical, so more on movements. Hindi maiiwasan na matatalsikan ka sa mukha, mga pasa, galos pero normal na. Ako ang dami ko palaging pasa o galos sa fight scenes pero part kasi iyon," Richard added.
(Here in Incognito, it's more on tactical, so more on movements. You'll inevitably get splashed on the face, bruises, scars, but that's normal. I always have a lot of bruises or scratches in fight scenes, but that's part of it)
Richard highlighted as well how production made sure the series is up to par with international standards relating action films.
"Napakaganda nung project kasi for us kahit nakakapagod, rewarding naman. Kasi parang pelikula na yung quality and yung na yung standard ngayon, sa mga Asian countries so tina-try namin pantayan yun," Richard said.
(The project was great because even though it was tiring for us, it was rewarding. Because the quality is like a movie and that's the standard now, even in other Asian countries. So we're trying to match that)
Richard on doing Rom-com films
Before taking on action projects, Richard was known for doing popular romantic dramas.
During the interview, he was asked if he is still open to starring again in such.
He answered, "Actually si Raymond (his brother) ayan ang gusto, for me to simplify daw, bumalik na raw ako sa rom-com, mas madali sa pelikula. Well marami naman akong ginawa na rom-com pero we'll see, maybe I could do something siguro na masaya or magaan."
(Actually, that's what Raymond (his brother) wants, for me to simplify. He said, I should go back to rom-coms, it's easier to do. Well I've done a lot of rom-coms but we'll see, maybe I could do something that's fun or light)