No longer guarded, Barbie and Richard share what makes their relationship work
MANILA, Philippines — After confirming their relationship at the beginning of their current drama series “Blood vs Duty,” Richard Gutierrez and Barbie Imperial appear to be now more comfortable in letting the public into their life together.
During an intimate interview following the grand presscon for their show’s forthcoming finale, the two spoke openly about what makes their relationship work, on and off set, and how involved they are in each other’s families and personal plans. It wasn’t hard to notice that there was none of the hesitation that seemingly surrounded their romance initially.
Asked what they appreciated about each other while acting in the same project, Richard praised his girlfriend for being a professional and punctual co-star, who also looked after him during taping.
“Si Barbie, masarap siya katrabaho. Very professional siya. Ayaw niyang ma-late,” he said. “Maalaga rin siya sa set sa akin.”
He also said Barbie’s role as the nurse Jamillah gave her a chance to show what she could do as an actress.
“I think nag-shine talaga ’yung character niya dito as Jamillah,” Richard said.
According to Richard, Barbie was at first nervous about the role and questioned whether she could handle it.
“Kaya ko ba ’to?” he recalled her asking. Richard, in turn, would repeatedly reassure her, “Kaya mo ’yan, kaya mo ’yan,” and encouraged her to study the script and the character. He added that her worries eventually eased as production progressed.
Barbie, meanwhile, was proud watching Richard’s commitment to the series.
“Marami po akong natutunan talaga,” she said, also noting that there were times when she had already finished taping because of her cut-off, while Richard remained on the set because he still had several scenes to shoot.
According to her, seeing how much work he put into the show made her feel that she needed to develop the same attitude if she hoped to achieve the same longevity in the industry.
Public response to romance
More than their working relationship, Richard addressed what he viewed as a change in the public response to their romance. It’s no secret how they initially received criticism online.
“Nakakatuwa kasi, siyempre, unexpected dahil nga noong simula, parang ang daming haters. Pero ngayon, parang natutuwa na ’yung mga tao,” he said.
“Good vibes lang tayo. Importante, good vibes. Relaxed.”
Barbie said she used to pay close attention to comments about her and admitted that negative remarks sometimes affected her.
“Actually, hindi na ako nagbabasa,” she said, “(kasi) dati, iniisa-isa ko.”
Richard further recalled, “Before affected siya. Ako na mismo magsasabi, naiiyak siya minsan sa mga harsh comments…”
Despite all that, they continue to be together because they just click.
How? Barbie said Richard turned out to be different from her first impression of him.
Describing herself as a probinsyana who was accustomed to just laughing and joking around, she thought the actor might be aloof or too serious.
“Funny rin pala siya,” she said after getting to know him.
Despite being “sobrang alpha” and a breadwinner who was used to handling her own affairs and finances, Barbie also said she found herself listening more to Richard and his advice.
“So I think with Chard, parang mas nakikinig ako kasi gusto ko older than me,” she said of the 42-year-old actor.
Richard responded with a laugh, “Hindi ko alam ba’t siya nakikinig sa akin.”
He also acknowledged learning from Barbie, saying, “Oo, marami rin akong natutunan.”
Asked what could explain their “chemistry,” he said, “Ewan ko, siguro tugma lang siguro,” referring to their personalities.
Barbie admitted that they do have their share of disagreements.
“I think normal naman po ’yun sa relationship,” she said.
But how they resolve their differences, Barbie indicated that they try to respect each other’s perspectives even when they do not hold the same views.
Relationships with each other’s families
Their relationships with each other’s families also came up during the interview. During the birthday of the Gutierrez family patriarch, Eddie Gutierrez’s birthday this year, The STAR witnessed first hand how Barbie was also close to Richard’s son Kai and nieces.
Barbie recalled how nervous she was about meeting Richard’s parents, Eddie and feisty talent manager Annabelle Rama, as well as the rest of the Gutierrez family.
“At first, siyempre, ’yung buong Gutierrez, kinakabahan ako. Kinakabahan talaga ako,” she stressed.
She later found them as “very nice” and “very accommodating.”
Barbie also said Annabelle regularly sends her favorite food.
Richard added, “Halos every week may papadala.”
Barbie also said she enjoys being around children, including Richard’s children.
“Mahilig din ako sa kids talaga ever since… Pati ’yung mga pamangkin ni Chard, I love them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Richard has been involved in Barbie’s plans to return to Bicol for her birthday on Aug. 1. She will be turning 28.
The actress said that instead of holding a large celebration like in the past years, they decided to use the money for an outreach activity in the province where she grew up.
“Naisip namin ni Chard na ’yung money na gagamitin namin sa mga dinner, parties, everything, parang mag-help na lang kami sa mga may kailangan sa Bicol,” she said.
“Well, idea niya. And then, kumbaga, sinuportahan ko ’yung idea niya,” Richard was quick to add.
Going back to the province helps reset her mindset, according to the actress.
Their plans include returning to her former public elementary school in Bicol, where she graduated as valedictorian.
The school, she recalled, had only one section during her time but has since expanded, while some of her former teachers continue to work there.
Barbie added that they will also conduct a medical mission and extend help to people who can’t afford medicines.
Asked about her birthday wish, Barbie included Richard and their respective families among the people whose health and happiness she was praying for.
“Sana happy lahat ng connected sa amin,” she said.
Richard, for his part, simply told Barbie: “Sana matupad lahat ng mga wish (mo).”
- Latest
- Trending
