GMA Films’ comeback vehicle (after a brief respite), the Valentine romance-drama, is not the first time for Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin to be working together. For months now, televiewers all over the archipelago have been tracking their romance in Mulawin, the hit GMA teleserye that must have given GMA bigwigs the idea of carrying the (make-believe?) romance to the big screen.
Directed by Mac Alejandre, Let The Love Begin traces the lives and loves of Richard and Angel, along with co-stars Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado, from high school to college to the corporate world. A perfect Valentine date movie.
In real life, Richard and Angel have their respective love lives. Richard was last romantically linked to Anne Curtis (yes, the girl on that titillating cell phone video with him; more on that later) while Angel is still hurting from the tragic death of her boyfriend Mico Sotto in an accident in late December 2003.
Fans know that there’s nothing romantic (although they hope and pray that there is) in the special friendship between Richard and Angel. But they click as a loveteam, anyway.
For fun, Conversations put Richard and Angel to a "compatibility test." They were interviewed separately (and will know each other’s answers only now that they’re reading this).
Richard, 21, is an Aquarian; while Angel, 19, is a Taurian. Does the horoscope say that people under those zodiac signs are compatible or not?
Let’s find out how much they have in common from their answers to the same set of questions.
What do you like most about being in showbiz?
Angel: Na nakilala ako ng maraming tao. I learn a lot. And, of course, at an early age (19) I’m earning so I don’t have to depend on my parents for my needs.
Richard: Aside from the fact that I’m earning money, it gives me a nice feeling to entertain the public. I get to meet all kinds of people and get a lot of free stuff.
What don’t you like most about being in showbiz?
Angel: You’re tired and you don’t have the right to complain. It’s a job I have to do.
Richard: When they invade my privacy. Lack of privacy. The tendency of people to be judgmental; it’s as if you are perfect and you can’t afford to make mistakes, no matter how small.
What about the gossip? What’s the worst gossip spread about you and how did you cope with it?
Angel: I understand that gossip is part of the business; it’s just the duty of the media to write about tsismis. As long as you’re not doing anything bad, you have nothing to worry about. The worst tsismis about me? Well, when they wrote that I was the "Mamasan" (Sugar Mommy) of Mico (Sotto, her late boyfriend). It was an insult to Mico because he was making money of his own and he wasn’t the type of guy who would depend on a girl. In fact, it was Mico who was spending for our dates. That tsismis was foul!
Richard: None so far.
What about the cell phone video showing you and Anne Curtis kissing?
Richard: I won’t deny that it exists. Anne and I were steadies when that video was taken – for fun, you know. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. During that time, we were in love. It’s just unfortunate that the cell phone was stolen and, well, kumalat na ang video na ‘yon. Whoever spread it must be bothered by his conscience.
Where was that taken?
Richard: In my place.
How do you handle money?
Angel: Magastos ako! That’s why I don’t keep my ATM card because I’m an impulsive buyer. I ask my dad and my manager to help me invest my earnings. I don’t spend for myself but for other people. But I also save. I decided to invest on a house para nakikita ko where my money is going.
Richard: I’m thrifty. I invest my money wisely, right now on a lot in Punta Fuego and, soon, for a condo. I’m saving money because I want to help the industry in my own little way by producing movies.
What’s the best lesson that you learned from your parents?
Angel: Be proud of myself. Be true to myself. Don’t pretend. Always trust in God. Don’t forget to pray.
Richard: Many! My parents always remind me to keep my feet on the ground and never forget the people who are helping me and who care for me.
How do you pray and what for?
Angel: I go to church and stay there by myself. I talk to God in my own way. I read The Bible and learn from it. I don’t pray to ask for anything but to thank God for what I have and what I am.
Richard: I just close my eyes and I talk to God. I pray for the people I care for.
What is happiness to you?
Angel: Being with my family. My family is my inspiration.
Richard: Peace of mind.
What is your saddest experience?
Angel: You know what it is. (Mico’s death. She begged off from talking about it. – RFL)
Richard: Many! One of them was when my family was having trouble with the industry. I was young then, barely 10 years old. I felt the pain that my family was going through.
They say that you’ve become a good actress because you’ve gone through pain.
Angel: Is that so? When I act in a scene, I don’t draw from my personal experience; I just follow what’s on the script and what the director tells me to do.
In your case, Richard, you don’t have much pain daw.
Richard: That’s what they think! Pain has nothing to do with not having money, it’s more in the heart. In that case, I’ve gone through a lot of emotional pain. I’ve gone through trials especially when I was in the States, with just me and my (twin) brother Raymond. We were studying in an American school (Beverly Hills High School) and it wasn’t that easy. Growing up in the industry is hard, too, because our lives are open books. I’m vulnerable and sensitive on that score. It’s not an easy life. I guess the ones who will understand the feeling are those who also grow up in the industry, like the Quizons, the Revillas and the Salvadors. Sometimes, other people know more about my family than I do, especially when I was a kid when I’d learn about what was happening in the family only from the papers or television. Siempre, our parents would keep family problems from us.
What’s your dream role?
Angel: An action role. If time permits, I want to study martial arts. I want to play a role na parang Lara Croft at Charlie’s Angel ang dating. I’m the sporty type. I’m a member of the Philippine Swimming Team.
Richard: A soldier or a rebel.
In showbiz, there are all sorts of temptations – drugs, sex, etc. How do you cope with them?
Angel: I’m thankful that I was brought up by my parents properly. They taught me the right values, so I am able to resist those temptations. Noon, I thought they were strict; now I realize that my parents are right all along. I guess that if you go with the right company, you will not go wrong.
Richard: I try to avoid them. But I would be a hypocrite if I say that kung minsan hindi ako nati-tempt. But most of the time, I stay away from temptations –especially those sexual in nature.
What kind of family do you come from?
Angel: Not rich, not poor. Sa second family ako.
Richard: The public doesn’t know that we are just a normal, typical family; we are not any different from other families. We have ups and downs; we have happy days, we have bad days. We fight, we make up. But I should say that our family is well-bonded; we are a strong, united family.
Have you ever been in love?
Angel: I would say that si Mico ang unang lalaking pinakamahal ko.
Richard: Oo naman!
How many girlfriends have you had so far?
Richard: Serious ones? About four or five.
What about, ehem, one-night stands?
Richard: Not my trip. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Have you ever been heartbroken?
Angel: Yes. It’s but natural. It happens to everybody. I was in the elementary grades then and I didn’t even know what love meant. Puppy love, ganoon.
Richard: Oo naman! The first was when I was in high school, both in Beverly Hills and at La Salle (Greenhills)
Are you romantic?
Angel: Yes, I am. Kung kami na ng guy, I’m the one who takes care of him. Basta parang my life revolves na around him. You know, delikado ako ma-in-love. My parents are worried that I might fall in love again; baka daw mapabayaan ko ang trabaho ko. I assure them that they have nothing to worry about.
Richard: When I’m in love I’m romantic. I’m malambing toward the girl. Bini-baby ko siya. I’m the hugging type.
What’s the most stupid thing that you’ve ever done?
Angel: A lot! I can’t single out just one. So many that I can’t think of just one.
Richard: A lot! Let me think...One of them was perhaps joining a drag race when I was in high school.
What’s one thing that you feel most guilty of?
Angel: My not spending more time with my family because of my work. But I know that they are there for me, supporting me. I feel guilty about it even if they assure me that I shouldn’t be.
Richard: Not having enough time for myself and my family. But I have to enjoy this phase in my life because I’m aware that this is not forever, that it will pass soon.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Angel: I’m somewhat of a loner. I’d rather be by myself. I stay home and listen to music, any kind of music except heavy rock.
Richard: Both. Depends on my mood. But most of the time, I’m an introvert. But there are days when, you know, you want to see the world and mingle with people.
What turns you on?
Angel: Good behavior more than good looks.
Richard: The way a girl carries herself. Her eyes, especially when they sparkle.
What turns you off?
Angel: Braggarts! Pretenders! Show-offs!
Richard: ‘Yung maarte and those feeling mataas. I hate them! I prefer those who are down-to-earth and easy to talk to.
What’s your ideal guy/girl?
Angel: First and foremost, honest and loyal. These days, it’s hard to find a guy who’s honest and loyal, di ba?
Richard: One who’s down-to-earth, someone I can have a decent conversation with and, of course, someone who’s sexy and a beautiful face. It doesn’t matter if she’s mestiza or not. Basta someone beautiful.
What do you like most about Richard?
Angel: I’ve known Richard for three years now. We first met on the set of (the GMA teen show) Click. Kung ano ang ugali niya noon ay ganoon pa rin ngayon. Hindi siya yumabang even now that he’s very popular. On the set, he treats me and his other female co-stars like princesses. He’s such a gentleman.
What do you like most about Angel?
Richard: ‘Yung ugali niya. She’s very sweet toward everybody and thoughtful. Mabait sa parents. Walang masamang tinapay sa kanya.
Are you or aren’t you – "on," that is?
Angel: Hindi po! Richard and I are okay as good friends – as of now. Whatever happens, well, bahala na!
Richard: We’re special friends. Whether kami or not is not important; what matters is how we care for each other, how we feel toward each other. Angel is special to me. But right now, I know that I can’t commit to anyone because I’m focused on my work.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Angel: A bird. I want to fly. I want to be free!
Richard: An eagle. I want to soar! An eagle is a dignified bird, isn’t it?
If you were somebody else, who would he/she be and why?
Angel: My dad, Angel (Who’s blind. – RFL). He’s my idol but he doesn’t know it. Maabilidad siya.
Richard: Wow, nice question! If I were somebody else, I would be Bob Marley. He’s one singer who has a great impact on the world. His songs are memorable. They influence the thinking of people all over the world. It’s easy to relate to his songs. I also admire his great spirituality and his attitude toward life.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)