Still a Kapamilya: Richard Gutierrez renews ABS-CBN contract

More than two weeks after Richard Gutierrez's action-packed TV starrer, The Iron Heart, ended its almost yearlong run on ABS-CBN's allied platforms, the actor is still on a high with his latest achievement — and future prospects as well.

"Consistent climb ang nangyari sa (what happened to) The Iron Heart," Gutierrez said in a media conference on 26 October just after signing another contract with ABS-CBN. "Masaya kami sa result na gano'n kasi ibig sabihin talagang nagugustuhan ng audience 'yung pinapakita namin (We're happy with the result because it meant the audience liked what we showed to them). I'm just proud na nakasama ko ang mga mahusay na (to have worked with good) actors, very talented production team, directors, lahat (everybody)."

Gutierrez revealed that the show's run was extended several times until it reached the finale on 13 October.

"Nag-shoot na kami sa (We shot in) Rome in Italy, in Cebu, Iloilo, and then we did the finale in Japan. Kung i-extend pa, ang iniisip namin 'yung pacing, 'yung story and mga action sequences (If we were to further extend the show, we thought of the pacing, story and action sequences). We wanted to end it with a bang. We wanted to end high and we wanted the audience to crave for more. 'Yun ang napag-decide ng buong team (That's what our team decided on)."

He happily reported that The Iron Heart is now being shown on Indonesian TV using his character's name, Apollo, as the title and dubbed in the country's national language, Bahasa Indonesia.

"So I'm very thankful and grateful. It's another blessing. I can't wait to visit Indonesia to thank the people there and meet the Indonesian fans. It's just a big blessing and it's unexpected. Nag-video plug ako (I did a video plug.) Nag-Bahasa ako, pero s'yempre may script (I spoke in Bahasa Indonesia, but there was a script.) Nahirapan pa rin ako (I still had a hard time)," he admitted.

Next project

Gutierrez also announced that a follow-up project is already in the works.

"Definitely, it's still gonna be action-packed. We're gonna try to elevate what we showed sa The Iron Heart," he said.

"I feel there's room to grow and show another level of action. With the right people, naniniwala akong kaya namin (I believe we can do it)," he added.

"I really enjoy doing action. I enjoy telling stories, action-packed stories. Para na rin s'ya para sa buong pamilya pag gumawa ka ng action (It's like for the whole family). Kuha mo 'yung male audience, kuha mo ang mga bata (You get the male audience and also the children).

"You can tell so many different stories in an action series. All the drama and romance, that's part of the journey. But the action is the plus factor."

Gutierrez clarified that he's not just a contract star of ABS-CBN but also an exclusive artist of its talent management agency, Star Magic. His mother Annabelle Rama, who had been his manager for a long time, is just "there to help guide, support and collaborate with Star Magic and ABS-CBN" as far as his career is concerned.

"I'm on my third contract with ABS-CBN," he pointed out. "I'm very happy and proud to be here. I think it's really about the quality of the content that they produce. I think they don't settle for anything less than good quality programs. Everything is really well thought of. The planning, the passion to create something nice, something new, and 'yan (it's all there)."

When asked who among his fellow Kapamilya stars he'd like to work with, Gutierrez mentioned Jodi Sta. Maria, whom he described as "a great actress." He also singled out Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu and the current top love team of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.

He likewise expressed a desire to work anew with Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, who headlined the horror-fantasy series La Luna Sangre from June 2017 to March 2018.