Richard Guttierez takes on another major role

We have seen him essay superhero roles in GMA Network’s evening primetime landscape. He has been called many names—Aguiluz (Mulawin), Teng (Captain Barbell), Andre (Lupin) and currently, he’s Vergel in Telebabad’s Kamandag—and has taken many forms as well.

In GMA Films’ recent blockbuster—My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend—he made the girls swoon and sigh anew, almost effortlessly as the bratty hunk Evo.

Richard Gutierrez has indeed every right to be called the Primetime King and silver screen’s hottest heartthrob.

But come Sunday, viewers will be surprise to see Chard essay a different role. This time, there will be no sweetheart standing next to him nor will he don stuff that superheroes get into.

Because, as Richard himself revealed, there he will be just himself—a regular guy who is doing his part to help save Mother Earth.

The young actor was tapped to be the host for GMA’s SNBO special, SIGNOS.

I’m sure, not a few will wonder how Richard fits the task. Well, unknown to many, Chard is a Greenpeace advocate. His involvement has helped raise consciousness in greening the planet. Richard is also actively involved in the green campaign of the Pinoy brand he popularly endorses.

Before SIGNOS takes flight tomorrow in SNBO special, let’s get wired to Richard’s thoughts on SIGNOS as he answers the seven questions this deadline-beater prepared for him:

What’s in SIGNOs that you find most appealing?

Richard: Well for me the whole project itself. The amount of effort that they put in it and the idea of targeting the environment in the Philippines and the detailed research. I think that’s the best part of the show. Kailangan kasi natin ngayon ng ganon kasi konti lang ang nakakaalam tungkol sa environment natin, sa environment crisis natin at itong ginawa ng GMA is the first dito sa Pilipinas na talagang detailed research about our environment. Yung pag-conceptualize nila ng show ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-grand sa show.

What are your concrete efforts beyond the show?

R: I’ve been part of Greenpeace for a year now and my job really is to raise awareness for the Filipinos not only here but around the world. Yun yung main concern ko. Me being an actor and someone from the media, I think that’s my greatest involvement. I join campaigns and support their events. But at the same time, I do my own research also. I’ve been around Manila pa lang. Kasi I’ve been very busy talaga pero from time to time, I always check up kung ano nangyayari sa kanila and this very month they are busy marami silang mga plans.

How will you be different in this special?

R: Dito I am a regular guy na concern sa environment. Iba talaga, kasi this is more personal for me and I really wanna reach out to the Filipinos and it’s really such an honor for me na ako yung ini-invite nila. I was really excited nung nalaman ko na gumawa sila ng effort ng documentary, dun pa lang natuwa na ko. Tapos ini-invite pa nila ko. That was really a big deal. First time ko rin makatrabaho yung N&PA.

Did you have apprehension?

R: Wala naman. I think it’s a promising thing that they did something like this kasi right now, konti lang sa Pilipino ang nakakaalam kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari. Being part of it is really an honor. It inspires me to do more. People are already taking action. I’m proud to be part of it.

How does Signos bring down the discourse to the level of the masses?

R: Well, yung mga pwede nating gawin dito, I think it’s scary. Pag pinanood nila there’s gonna be a lot of realizations. But there is a positive side to it. It will make the people move, it will make the people get up, do something and act. Yung mga pinapakita dito, ‘yung mga pwede nating gawin ay very simple stuff na magagawa in everyday life. Dito sa Pilipinas it is harder for us but with the help of this kind of documentary, I think it will really push people to action.

What do you hope to achieve with the special?

R: For Filipinos to realize that we need to do something, it’s really a calling and not only that. I hope one of our leaders get to see this also so they too can realize, they too can…

After Signos, what more do you wish to do?

R: Madami pa. I’m working on a project with Greenpeace now. We are trying to do our documentary naman which I will be more hands on. Script sa kanila galing, I’ll put my inputs also. It’s a teamwork.

Richard’s new assignment will surely be a refreshing respite not only for him but for the viewing public as well. Because this time, Richard need not melt into a Cassanova or morph into a Pinoy hero. This Sunday, Richard raises the voice of the environment via SIGNOS.

SIGNOS is a two-hour docu put together by the hardworking team of GMA’s News & Public Affairs Department. Inspired by the documentary An Inconvenient Truth which was hosted by Al Gore, SIGNOS aims to open the eyes of every Juan Dela Cruz to the environmental truths that we take for granted now but might develop into an adverse and scary reality in the very near future.

I hope you won’t miss it yourself. Wink!