Richard Gutierrez thankful for second chance at life

CEBU, Philippines - After the upsetting experience of figuring in a car accident, hunk actor Richard Gutierrez said he is very grateful to the Almighty Father for giving him another chance to live. “I feel re-energized after the accident. For me, this second chance is my second chance for everything… It made me stronger as a person—spiritually and mentally,” Richard said a press conference last Saturday at Pino Restaurant in Lahug, Cebu City.

“‘Buti yon lang ang nangyari sa akin. After a major accident like that, maswerte pa rin ako,” he added. “Obviously, may plan pa si Lord para sa akin dahil binigyan pa niya ako ng second chance na mabuhay.”

But after his recovery, Richard is facing some controversies with regards to what had happened to his personal assistant, Nomar Pardo, who died during the crash in the accident prone area in Tagaytay.

Nomar’s wife allegedly asked 4 million pesos from Richard’s family for what had happened to her husband.

When the Cebu press asked Richard about this, he clarified it with his mother and manager, Annabelle Rama, who was also present during the press conference which was held after his jam-packed Metro Gaisano mall tour for its “Back-to-School Sale.”

“Walang nakakarating sa amin, puro stories pa lang. Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba o hindi. Pero nakakalungkot kasi pare-pareho kaming apektado. Hindi naman namin sinasadya, wala naman kaming binalak na mangyari yon, nagkakaisa kami lahat sa sakit,” Richard said.

“Hindi namin obligasyong magbigay ng pera. Kung tutulong kami, galing yon sa puso namin. Accident is accident, wala kaming dapat ika-guilty,” said Annabelle.

Richard’s family shouldered the expenses for the wake of Nomar. “Medyo strange kasi walang sumalubong sa amin kahit mga kamag-anak, parang may grudge sila sa akin,” said Richard.

“Lahat ng personal assistants ko, lahat ng mga tao ko nandoon pinatulong ko, kami lahat ang nag-asikaso, nagpa-cater kami ng food, nagpakuha pa ako nga pari. First time ko to ginawa sa buong buhay ko, kahit noong namatay yong father ko hindi ko ginawa yan. Nagbigay lang ako ng abuloy tapos wala na,” explained Annabelle.

“Naawa ako kasi sabi ng wife na walang-wala na sila,” she added.

Richard, for his part, really made sure that he would go to the wake despite his condition, but he sadly shared that the wife did not treat him nicely when he arrived.

“Tinawag niya ako, sinabi niya na kailangan niya akong makausap. Na-shock ako [pagdating ko] kasi imbes na pag-usapan namin kung ano ang magagawa namin for the future of the family, parang ini-interrogate niya ako,” he said.

“Wala pa akong natatanggap na complaint. Pag-narinig ko from her mouth, I would call my lawyer; we have to settle this of course,” Richard said.

Nomar’s father, on the other hand, has a different reaction towards Richard and his family.

“Very thankful sa amin ang father ni Nomar, kasi Bisaya rin yon. Nagpasalamat talaga siya sa tulong na ibinigay namin sa kanila. Ako siyang gi-ingnan nga dili man mi plastic. Ang mga Bisaya dili man plastic… sabi niya walang dapat sisisihin dito, accident is an accident,” said Annabelle.

The educational plan that was offered by Richard to Nomar’s children was rejected by the wife. Richard offered it because that was Nomar’s dream for his children.

“Dream ni Nomar na makapag-aral ang mga anak niya, kaya yon yong binigay ni Richard. We just want to help the family,” said Annabelle.

“Walang may gusto, its God’s will, kung ayaw nilang tanggapin ang tulong ko then wala akong magagawa,” she added.

If ever, Nomar’s wife would change her mind, “We have to wait for them to ask,” said Annabelle.

“Kung wala ang mga crew, ewan kung anong nangyari sa kanila… Nagpasalamt ako na may convoy siya kasi madalas pag-galing siya ng shooting siya lang talaga mag-isa umuwi… walang makakatawag sa akin, hindi rin ako makakatawag,” said Annabelle.

“First time niya madisgrasya,” she said, “hindi niya nagagamit yong sasakyan niya, kasi parati siyang naka-van. At hindi siya nakainom kasi bawal yon sa taping.”

Richard narrated to us what had really happened.

“The whole time conscious ako… gising ako. I could hear shattered glass, mga metal…wala akong masyadong makita. Sa mga moment na yon, you can’t really do anything… noong nag-stop ‘yong car, tinanong ko yong katabi ko kung okay lang ba siya, tiningnan ko sarili ko at tumutulo yong dugo sa mukha ko…Tapos tiningnan ko sa likod, wala na si Nomar… siya pala ang tumilapon.

“Lumabas ako sa bintana ng kotse kasi naka-lock ang pinto. Hindi ko mabuksan. That’s where I got my scratches.

“Hinanap ko yong kasama ko. Hindi ko siya nakita at all. Hinanap ko siya for more than 10 minutes. Nasa gitna na ako ng talahib, hanap ng hanap, sigaw ako ng sigaw, hindi ko talaga makita, walang response. Hanggang dumating ang GMA 7 vans to help me out, kasi convoy kasi yon pauwi ng Manila.

“Ganun para talaga yong aksidente, split second lang... ‘Pag aksidente, wala talagang magagawa,” he said.

“I just wanna forget about it. Basta, I’m very thankful that God saved me. I’m also very thankful na wala ako masyadong injuries, kasi sa ganoong klaseng aksidente, ito lang ang inabot ko. Ang mga tao sa hospital talagang nakanganga noong nakita nila ako dahil ito lang tama ko after seeing my car [wrecked],” he said. “Nagulat nga din ako.”

Clearly, Richard wishes to move on from the mishap, what with the line-up of projects he still has to do, including a horror movie that would be showed on September 30 and a romantic film with his ex-girlfriend, Anne Curtis.

He will also be doing an environmental documentary for GMA 7 News and Public Affairs.

“My main job here is to spread the word and create awareness; I am going to be the bridge between the people behind environmental actions and causes and the regular people,” he ended.