Triple celebration for Baby Zion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j8A9Mn_xCI

It was exactly what grandfather Eddie Gutierrez promised his latest grandson: a big shebang.

The “Gutz-y” clan pulled out all the stops for Zion, son of Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, with a baptism and first-birthday bash rolled into one.

“We really wanted a big party to welcome our son. It turned out to be a triple celebration, in fact,” Richard told the Inquirer. “It was also Father’s Day.”

Big production

The christening was officiated by Fr. Baltazar Obico. The splashy event was held at Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club on Sunday with a guest list that reads like a who’s who of Philippine high society.

Gathering the godparents alone  could be considered a mammoth production, especially since the lineup expanded with each passing day.

“We finally narrowed it down to 25 pairs,” Richard recounted. He noted that the country’s Top 3 networks figured on the list, from TV5 top honcho Manny V. Pangilinan and Kapatid stars Aga Muhlach and Lucy Torres-Gomez, to ABS-CBN talents Susan Roces, Angel Locsin and Gretchen Barretto.

Richard said former screen partner Marian Rivera carried the GMA 7 banner (along with “Eat Bulaga” producers Tony Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar). “She’s doing a show abroad but Marian told me that whatever happened, she had to be a ninang.”

A past girlfriend almost made the list. “We wanted to invite Anne (Curtis) but she was out of town, too.”

The political world was represented by heavyweights, from Vice President Jejomar Binay to Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, from Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Roselle Monteverde of Regal Films is another ninang; Viva big boss Vic del Rosario, another ninong.

Richard said he had a simple criterion in choosing the godparents. “They are the people I look up to, people who made the most impact on our society [in my lifetime]. Some are movers and shakers from my generation as well.”

Sunday was Richard’s first Father’s Day as a dad in the open. Last year, he marked the occasion in secret. “Only relatives greeted me.’”

Richard and Sarah kept Zion, who was born April 29, 2013, in Switzerland, away from the public eye the whole first year of his life. Now, they are making up for lost time, appearing with the baby on all media platforms—TV, newspapers, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said of his much-ballyhooed coming out as a dad on the reality show “It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” on E! Channel. “Last year was a tough time. I became a dad and couldn’t share my joy with anyone outside the family,” he said.

Now, the usually reticent Richard becomes a virtual chatterbox when talk turns to Zion. “His first word was ‘Dada … Daddy.’ That makes me happy,” he enthused.

Oversharing?

Although observers have pointed out that Zion is certainly a Sarah look-alike, Richard begged to differ: “I’m waiting for them to notice that he really looks like me.”

This early, he noted, his little son has imbibed his love of speed: “He enjoys car rides and loves looking at my motorbikes.”

Richard insisted that he enjoyed changing diapers and burping the baby, “even if I get only four hours of sleep at night.”

At one point during this chat, Richard, who is currently promoting his latest GMA Films movie, “Overtime,” quipped, “I think I am oversharing.”

Which could mean that he had to save choice sound bites for the

E! show.

He said footage of Zion’s christening would definitely be included in the reality show’s second season.

Zion has altered the course of this self-confessed adrenaline junkie’s life, to be sure. “I always hear people say that your life will change once you become a father. It came naturally to me; I didn’t exert extra effort. I spend so  much more time at home now; my friends think I’m in hiding. I love hanging out with my family. Life has more meaning now.”

(bayanisandiegojr@gmail.com)