EVEN before she and Richard had a child, she says, they were sure they would spend the rest of their lives together.
Sarah Labhati doesn’t see herself tying the knot with boyfriend Richard Gutierrez any time soon. At the moment, they would rather focus on their son, Zion.
“I wouldn’t want to regret not minding Zion’s needs just because I was prioritizing what I wanted,” she told reporters at a recent press conference for the horror-adventure film “Liwanag sa Dilim” (APT Entertainment), which premieres on Feb. 11.
Bit by bit
She described the boy, who turns 2 in April, as a “tall, healthy and happy” baby. “I make sure to be with him as much as I can, because he’s growing up really fast. He can run now; soon he will start talking. I wouldn’t want to miss any of it,” Sarah, 21, said.
Though she and Richard do talk about getting married, the GMA 7 talent said, they were not about to rush into it: “We’re planning bit by bit… we’ll get there.” She didn’t think it was “a sin” to have Zion prior to a wedding, Sarah added.
“Even before we had him, Richard and I were sure we would be spending the rest of our lives with each other,” she pointed out.
Also, there’s a niggling issue within the family that needs ironing out: the row betwen Sarah’s mom Esther Lahbati and Richard’s, Annabelle Rama.
The two grandmothers infamously got into a heated exchange in 2014 over Annabelle’s alleged bad treatment of Esther during Zion’s birthday-cum-christening party.
Sarah said, “I love them both. The only problem is that they get into ‘in-laws clashes,’ which is just normal, I think. This is not World War III, so there’s a good chance they’ll eventually reconcile. The next step is for them to talk. They’re not ready, but I hope it happens soon.”
Admittedly hurt by their parents’ constant bickering, Sarah and Richard are doing everything they can to solve the problem. “It’s sad,” she said. “We love each other, but there’s this one thing that isn’t working.”
Back to the grind
Meanwhile, she’s thrilled to be back in acting via “Liwanag sa Dilim,” directed by Richard Somes. The movie also stars Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Igi Boy Flores, Sunshine Cruz and Rico Blanco.
“I love acting,” said Sarah, who plays a mysterious woman in the movie. “I’m slowly getting used to the grind on the set again. I’ve had to sleep and wake up early… nothing a cup of coffee can’t fix.”
Sarah’s contract with GMA 7, with which she had a legal tussle two years ago, expires this month, she said. “I’m thinking what my next step should be.”
(apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)