Chard: I wanted to be a soldier

MARIAN Rivera and Richard Gutierrez

Kapuso star Richard Gutierrez said that, as a boy growing up in the United States, he wanted to become a soldier.

“I met a Filipino in the States who was in the Navy,” Richard told a group of writers during a visit to the set of his latest film, “My Lady Boss,” in Quezon City. “He told me stories about his training that I thought made such a great adventure. I was also into martial arts at that time and wanted so much to go in that direction, but my parents didn’t allow me.”

Richard ended up in show biz, like the rest of his family. He also recently opened his own Ultimate Fitness Gym in Pasig City.

In “My Lady Boss,” produced by GMA Films and directed by Jade Castro, Richard teams up with Marian Rivera. He plays Zach, who is forced to find a regular job following the collapse of his business venture, while Marian portrays Evelyn, “the boss from hell.”

In an hourlong chat, Richard gamely answered questions about the movie and Marian, whom he described as “mataray but funny and sexy.” Here are excerpts.

What are you like as a boss?

Very hands-on but not strict. I am fair to everyone, and I do what’s right for the company. I’m also kind of OC (obsessive-compulsive). I want everything clean and neat.

Can you relate to your character?

I put a little bit of myself into every character I play. In high school, I was like Zach. I had strict teachers but I guess I charmed them. Although Zach is smart and he knows what he wants, he has a different way of dealing with people. Maangas siya (He’s cocky).

Zach didn’t want to work for anyone. He wanted to be his own boss so he started putting up companies, but they all failed. When he started working for Evelyn, he realized a lot of things. He became mature. I think that, when you find your match, your world changes and you start thinking differently and in a more mature way.

What took you and Marian so long to do a follow-up to the movie “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend?”

I really don’t know. The story of “My Lady Boss” was on the shelves of GMA 7 for a long time. The bosses said it was written for me, but that they could not find the right leading lady.

What new things have you discovered about Marian?

When we did our first movie five years ago, she was just starting with “Marimar.” She was still new to acting at that time. Now I can see growth in her as an actress. She’s more experienced and confident. She’s very funny, even off-cam. And she’s very professional. Seldom do I know people who, with only three hours of sleep, can still deliver. I don’t know where she gets her energy.

Isn’t she also more beautiful than ever?

Yes, of course. She recently did a sexy pictorial for a men’s magazine—she had never done that before.

(“My Lady Boss” also features Sandy Andolong, Dion Ignacio, Ruru Madrid, Tom Rodriguez, Ronaldo Valdez and Jackielou Blanco, among others. The film is scheduled for cinema screening in March.)

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