MANILA, Philippines - When Richard Gutierrez speaks of Heart these days, it’s always with a capital H as he refers to Heart Evangelista, his love interest in the romance-comedy Full House, airing in a new timeslot starting tonight after Darna. Richard welcomes the reunion with Heart, this time sweeter and funnier. They were last seen together in the action-adventure Asero.
Richard and Heart treasure the days they shared in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Away from showbiz intrigues and in the company of the Filipino and Czech production staff led by director Mark Reyes, the stars had the time and privacy to talk, to bond, to see the magnificent sights of Prague. They include Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, River Vlatva. And of course Our Lady of Victory Church, where the famous Sto. Niño de Praga is enshrined.
Lovers in Prague?
“No, no, no,” both Richard and Heart laugh. They insist they are the best of friends, even much closer after the Prague experience.
In Asero, Richard and Heart also shot abroad, in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. But at that time they were not that close as each had personal problems to resolve. Heart was nursing a broken heart, while Richard was torn between career and love.
One thing with Richard, he doesn’t allow offcam woes — and they are many — to stop him from giving his very best in any project. Co-workers have only good words for him, leading ladies included Angel Locsin, Marian Rivera, KC Concepcion, Rhian Ramos and of course Heart.
In Full House, Richard plays a matinee idol — talk of art imitating life — and Heart a struggling writer. It’s the Filipino adaptation of a popular Korean telenovela, full of comic and romantic situations, and topbilled by Rain and Song Hye Kyo.
Richard and FAMAS Best Actress Heart look forward to a brighter 2010, but they remain thankful for the many blessings in 2009.