Entertainment

Richard on 'snub' lament from Sarah's mom: 'We will stay positive'

Chuck Smith - The Philippine Star

June 17, 2014 | 4:23pm

MANILA, Philippines â€“ Richard Gutierrez said he chooses to concentrate on the positive amid reports that the mother of Sarah Lahbati complained on social media about how she was treated during the birthday party of baby Zion.

On Monday, Esther Lahbati took to social media to lament how she was allegedly snubbed and maltreated during the Christening-birthday party of Zion.

Zion is Sarah's son with Richard.

Part of her message on Instagram goes: â€œNaaawa ako sa sarili ko.the whole party hindi ako pinansin tapos para ako patay gutom na aalukin ng tira pagkain.â€

READ: Sarah Lahbati's mom laments 'snub' during Zion's party

â€œI really don't know how to answer that kasi kakatapos lang ng napakasaya naming celebration. Very positive ang party ni baby Zion, maganda ang pagtanggap kay baby Zion,â€ Richard said when asked about Esther Lahbati's comment on Instagram during the press conference for his GMA Films movie â€œOvertimeâ€ on Tuesday, June 17.

â€œSo ngayon, nagku-concentrate kami on positivity,â€ he added.

Like what Sarah said on her Instagram account, Richard explain they will deal with any misunderstanding within the family internally.

â€œKung ano man ang nangyaring misunderstanding or miscommunication, aayusin namin yun within the family and we will move forward from that. We will stay positive,â€ Richard said.

Richard Gutierrez and Lauren Young, stars of the suspense movie "Overtime." Directed by Earl Ignacio and Wincy Ong, the movie will open on July 2.

Richard said he is close with Sarah's parents Esther and Abdel Lahbati, especially after he and the GMA-7 actress spent time in Switzerland after Sarah's birth.

â€œFrom day one, I've looked up to them. I consider them as family, and vice versa,â€ the 30-year-old actor said. â€œThey accepted me also. I spent a lot of time in their house in Switzerland. They have accepted and they have Sarah and I all through this process.â€

â€œSo andyan sila lagi't sumusuporta sa amin and we're very thankful. Sarah and I are very thankful to them.â€

As for his mother Annabelle Rama, Richard said the matriarch of the Gutierrez family is also very close with baby Zion. In fact, she was the â€œpunong abalaâ€ of their son's birthday and Christening party last Sunday.

â€œKumbaga, gift niya yun kay baby Zion. Tumulong kami ni Sarah sa pag-organize pero ang punong abala, yung mom ko talaga. Gusto niya talaga ng engrandeng celebration for baby Zion kasi after nga nung mga pinagdaanan namin, gusto namin maging positive, maging happy, mag celebrate,â€ he said.

The â€œOvertimeâ€ star added: â€œEvery day nasa bahay siya (Annabelle) spending time with baby Zion. Kahit andun kami, andun yung buong family, talagang darating yung mom ko, magdadala ng pagkain, magdadala ng gift. Talagang mahal na mahal niya si baby Zion.â€

â€œOvertime,â€ which also stars Lauren Young, will premiere on July 2.