Richard Gutierrez, Barbie Imperial not dating—Ogie Diaz

Richard Gutierrez and Barbie Imperial. Image: Instagram/@richardgutz, @msbarbieimperial

A source close to Richard Gutierrez clarified to Ogie Diaz that the actor and Barbie Imperial have no romantic relationship, and that the pair mingled for just a couple of minutes at the bar where they were spotted by netizens.

Diaz spoke about this on his YouTube vlog on Tuesday, Jan. 9, days after Gutierrez and Imperial sparked dating rumors.

“Ang totoo n’yan si Barbie Imperial ay isa sa mga shareholders [nung bar],” Diaz said, referring to the gastropub where the actress was seen with Gutierrez. “Bilang siya ay isa sa mga may-ari, may obligasyon ‘yung mga may-ari na pumunta sa kanilang negosyo para mag-entertain ng bisita.”

(The truth is Barbie Imperial is one of the shareholders of the bar. As one of the owners, she has an obligation to visit the establishment and entertain their guests.)

Diaz explained that Richard is friends with the other bar shareholders and that he sat to mingle with them on each of their tables, including Imperial’s.

“Parang apat na tables yon [tapos] nagte-table-hopping ‘yung lolo mo kasi lahat ‘yan kaibigan niya. So nung naupo siya [sa table] ni Barbie, nakunan ng picture,” the comedian-talent manager stated.

(There were around four tables and Gutierrez was table-hopping because all of them are his friends. When he sat down on Barbie’s table, that was when their pictures were taken.)

“Nagkatabi lang sila for like how many minutes daw do’n sa table, as per my source, sandali lang ‘yon [pero] lahat ng camera at cellphones ay nag-video, nag-picture,” he added.

(They were beside each other for just a few minutes, as per my source, but everyone took pictures and videos.)

Citing his unidentified source, Diaz noted that Gutierrez is still “sad” over his marriage to Sarah Lahbati being on the rocks, but that he does not want to sulk over it.

“…Hindi naman pwedeng magkulong si Richard all the time sa kwarto kasi talagang mabuburyong siya; maloloka-loka siya, kaya nag-eenjoy ‘yung tao. Sabi ito ng source ko na napakalapit kay Richard,” Diaz said.

(Richard can’t lock himself up in his room and lose his mind, so he’s enjoying himself. This is according to my source who is very close to Richard.)

“‘Nangungulila pa rin si Richard at nag-eenjoy siya kaya hinahayaan namin siya magliwaliw,'” his source was quoted as saying. (Richard still feels lonely so we let him do what he enjoys.)

Gutierrez and Lahbati—who have two sons together—have yet to publicly speak about their rumored separation, although eagle-eyed netizens noticed that the pair have unfollowed each other on Instagram.