REP. LUCY Torres-Gomez photo by romy homillada
Actor Richard Gomez said his preoccupation with civic projects in Ormoc—initiated by his wife, Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres—has kept him from signing an exclusive contract with a TV network.
“I can’t be tied down to a long-term, exclusive contract. Our work in Ormoc demands so much time,” Richard told Inquirer Entertainment. “We have projects to plan and implement. In fact, I fly to the province every other week.”
Richard hosts a reality program, “The Biggest Game Show in the World–Asia,” on TV5 and is in the cast of the drama series “Walang Hanggan” on ABS-CBN.
Richard, who ran for Congress in 2010 but was disqualified for failing to meet the residency requirement, was replaced by wife Lucy, who won as a candidate of the Liberal Party.
“When people ask for your help, you feel compelled to respond,” Richard said. “If there’s an opportunity for you to serve in government, you just go for it.”
The actor said he and Lucy visit Ormoc alternately to make sure one of them can look after (daughter) Juliana at all times. Explained Richard: “Juliana is 11 now. I’m praying for two more (kids); Lucy wants four.”
In the new TV series “Walang Hanggan,” Richard is reunited with ex-girlfriend Dawn Zulueta. They last worked together in the full-length drama “Filipinas,” directed by Joel
FORMER sweethearts Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta
Lamangan in 2003. “We’ve remain very good friends,” Richard said. “Now that we’re working together, our friendship has been reinforced.”
Richard said they are very comfortable doing romantic scenes, so portraying star-crossed lovers Marco and Emilia in “Walang Hanggan” is effortless.
Girl friends
He said Lucy didn’t mind his working with an ex. “They’re good friends. Lucy has seen my film with Dawn, ‘Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,’ over 20 times,” he pointed out. “It was Lucy who sent a text message to Dawn to say I had agreed to do ‘Walang Hanggan.’”
(“Walang Hanggan,” which also features Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Susan Roces and Helen Gamboa, airs weeknights after “Eboy” on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida time slot.)
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph