Richard Gutierrez returns to MMFF, praises co-star Ivana Alawi
Richard Gutierrez praised his co-star Ivana Alawi, describing her as “hard-working” as they filmed the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entry “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins.”
Given Ivana’s striking looks, the actor acknowledged that she’s undeniably attractive.
“We all know she’s attractive. But I’m being professional also. I don’t wanna mix anything with work and si Ivana talaga parang tropa, kaibigan ganyan,” Richard said during a pocket presscon for the action-horror flick.
When asked whether they had the chance to get to know each other more deeply during filming, Richard said, “We could work with someone on a film and when you’re constantly working with them, you get to know them well — like how they work, how they are as co-actors. And I have nothing but good words for Ivana.”
“She’s very nice to everyone. She works hard. There were times that we would finish at 4 to 5 a.m., dugyot na kami. She didn’t complain. She was giving her best in every scene.
Such work ethic sets a good example for younger actors as well, Richard continued. “We have younger actors who are with us on set who are probably looking at us. When the times get hard, when it’s 4 a.m. and you still have to do a fight scene, these actors are probably looking at us like, ‘Are they going to complain?’ Alam mo yung ganun? Wala kang maririnig na reklamo. Everyone stayed on course, everybody’s professional, so hats off to Ivana for that also.”
When Richard first learned that Ivana was going to be part of the cast, he was elated. As he shared, “She has great social media presence and it’s always good to be working with someone whom you haven’t worked with before. It’s refreshing for the audience. It’s refreshing for me as an actor.”
When queried if moviegoers could expect any “kilig” scenes from their characters, Richard said, “Not really. Maybe in other projects. Haha! But here, walang masyadong love story, it’s more of a horror and action film.”
According to a media release, the upcoming “Shake, Rattle & Roll (SRR): Evil Origins” traces the evils that haunt three different eras: 1775, the present day and a dystopian future. Each timeline uncovers how humanity’s fear, greed and secrets perpetuate the cycle of evil. As different generations confront it, the stories reveal that evil never dies; it only waits to be reborn.
As for his character, Richard described Rosdan as an orphan “living a normal life and all of a sudden things happen.”
“He needs to survive and in that survival, he has to protect his loved ones,” he added. “He has to be strong and malagpasan lahat ng mga pagsubok and that’s where I could personally relate.”
Ivana, on the other hand, plays Edris, whose parents are involved in the masquerade ball massacre.
The film is written by Alex Castor, Onay Sales and Gina Marissa Tagasa, produced by Regal Entertainment Inc., and helmed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman and Ian Lorenos.
“Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” also features Carla Abellana, Janice de Belen, Manilyn Reynes, Loisa Andalio, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra, Dustin Yu, Isabel Ortega and Ashley Ortega as cast members.
Richard’s last MMFF participation was in 2018 with Vice Ganda in the fantasy comedy “Fantastica.”
He is thrilled to be returning for this year’s MMFF, saying, “It’s definitely going to be a busy December for me. But I wanted this, I wanted to do a film right after ‘Incognito.’ And perfect timing talaga yung ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll.’
“Everything aligned for me in this project. It’s the comeback of ‘SRR’ in the film festival. It’s the resurgence of Regal and I’m so happy to be part of it. It’s an honor for me to be part of the Regal family,” he added.
Richard’s mom, Annabelle Rama, and Regal president and chief executive officer Roselle Monteverde were also present at the press event.
- Latest
- Trending
