Friends in Love: Richard Gutierrez KC Concepcion

It’s obvious during this Conversation that “something beautiful” is going on between Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion.

They are paired in Star Cinema’s “Valentine-in-August” romance-dramedy For the First Time, directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal, which follows the lives of two people from very different worlds. Richard plays Seth, a rich and impulsive playboy who runs away from serious relationships and doesn’t give much thought to the women he goes out with. KC plays Pia, a prude and ambitious girl who feels responsible for the tragedy that has befallen her life, leaving a scar that constantly reminds her of it. They meet in the romantic Greek island of Santorini (most of the scenes were shot there, all in more than 10 days) and guess what happens next.

In real life, Richard and KC are friends...in love?

They won’t say what the “real score” is between them even if their actions speak louder than the words that they won’t say. Read their lips, read between the lines.

For the First Time is one of the two movies that Richard and KC have signed up for. The second, to be produced by GMA Films, is slated for release as a Valentine offering next year. It’s a Romeo and Juliet kind of situation. Richard is a contract star of GMATV/GMA Films and KC of ABS-CBN/Star Cinema. There had been  a clamor for them to be paired. So how to make “east” and “west” meet — and match? Exchange deal. For once, and even only for a while, Richard and KC have bridged the yawning gap between the rival stations and put the never-ending network war to a truce.

During this Conversation, the “royal loveteam” (he the son of Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama and she, of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, as if you didn’t know) reveal themselves not so much with words but by action.

Being the children of famous showbiz parents, are you pressured to equal, if not surpass, their achievements?

KC: In my case, yes, there is. Some people say that sometimes ka-boses ko ang mom ko, especially kapag tumatawa ako. Maybe because I grew up with my mom. My mom has achieved so much, so nakaka-pressure ‘yung kino-compare ako sa kanya. But I hope people will accept me for what I am, based on my own achievements.

Richard: There’s always pressure; hindi mawawala ‘yon. Iba ‘yung panahon ng dad ko, iba din ang panahon ko. But I don’t think I can surpass what my dad has achieved. I feel honored to be compared to him because I look up to him as my idol.

What are the best qualities of your mom and dad that you think you have inherited? How are you similar to and different from your parents?

KC: This (Pointing to her heart). My mom is more traditional, mas rebelde ako. ‘Yung generation namin nina Richard is more outgoing and more aggressive, willing to take risks but not to compromise. We are more adventurous, mas pursigido sa gusto naming mangyari.

Richard: My being laid-back, I got from my dad. And my being quiet. He’s cool, even in a tense situation. My perseverance, I got from my mom. When she wants something, she’ll do everything to get it.

Are you like your dad when it comes to girls? I know Eddie to be a one-woman man.

Richard: Hmmmm...ah, yes!

Are you faithful?

Richard: Hmmmm... iba kasi noong panahon ni Daddy.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being children of famous parents?

Richard: The advantage is that even before you join showbiz, kilala ka na ng mga tao in and out of the industry.

KC: That’s right. The writers close to your parents treat you well.

And, of course, doors easily open for you.

You’ve always been good friends. (When Richard went on a European holiday early last year, he paid KC a visit in Paris where she was then studying.) What else did you discover about each other during your 10 days in Santorini?

Richard: A lot more! Pero sa amin na lang ‘yon. As far as her acting is concerned, she’s a revelation. It’s her first movie at ang galing niya! She’s willing to let people enter her heart. That’s hard for an actor. She delivered more than what was expected of her. (KC’s first acting challenge was in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya? and she acquitted herself in her role as a middle-class working girl very well. A few years back, she starred in the stage play Little Mermaid. — RFL)

KC: Thank you, Chard! I used to feel “guarded,” nahihiya ako when there was a camera around. I’m more open now. I’m willing to, as Chard nicely put it, let people enter my heart and see what the real me is.

Richard: We were in high school when we first met. Before that, I thought the possibility of meeting her and working with her was suntok sa buwan, Well, nasuntok ko nga ang buwan! Hehehehe!

KC: I know Chard, and Raymond, as private persons and not as actors. What Chard was when he wasn’t an actor yet, ganoon pa rin ngayon.

Does your being good friends help make you comfortable in doing your scenes, especially your kissing scenes?

Richard: Yes, of course! But it helped that we were able to “feel” our characters.

During the shooting of scenes like those, what do you expect of your partner hygiene-wise? You know, gargle mouthwash, etc.

KC: I know Chard to be clean and hygenic.

Richard: In fact, I wanted to eat bagoong before we did our kissing scenes. Hehehehe! Actually, I took mints.

Okay, let’s ‘body talk‘ some more. Being both busy, forever on your feet, how do you cope with your punishing schedule?

Richard: Hard! I guess what pushes me ay ‘yung passion and drive sa ginagawa namin to wake up in the morning to resume working, kahit na tatlong oras lang ang tulog namin...and to still deliver our best.

KC: Passion at...kape! Hehehehe!

How much sleep do you get per night?

KC: Three hours at most.

Richard: My car has become my second home. Doon na ako natutulog most of the time. It’s a big, comfortable car. Andoon na lahat ng kailangan ko. I can live there for one month at kaya ko na.

KC: Parang ako rin. Mas masuwerte nga si Chard because his car has TV ‘yung sa akin, wala. I take power naps every chance I get.

What’s your favorite sleepwear?

KC: Big T-shirt.

Richard: Hmmmm...small T-shirt. Hehehehe!

KC: Fitted!

Do you snore?

Richard: I do, sometimes.

KC: I don’t but I talk in my sleep.

Richard: Actually, now she’s asleep, that’s why she keeps on talking! Hehehehe!

What do you talk about, KC?

KC: ‘Yung assistant ko, minsan tsismosa ‘yan, eh! One time, when I woke up, she told me that while I was asleep, I kept on talking. Tanong daw siya nang tanong sa akin at sagot naman daw ako nang sagot. And she said that I said so many things. Ang dami niyang nalaman! She told me what I talked about and I believed her because wala pa akong sinasabihan n’un. My assistant knows a lot of secrets about me that she got from me while I was talking in my sleep.

Richard: Thank God I don’t talk in my sleep. Baka marami akong secrets na masabi.

The last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

Richard: I pray.

KC: I pray, too.

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

KC: Play music.

Richard: Stretch!

What about your diet?

KC: Well, for eight years I’ve been a vegetarian. I’ve been eating only fish for the last eight years. I didn’t intend it to be that way. My being a vegetarian just happened naturally.

Richard: I observe a balanced diet. If I eat a lot today, tomorrow hindi masyado. But if I have to prepare for a show or a movie, I eat mostly steamed or grilled fish.

How much water do you take per day?

KC: A lot! Two 1.5-liter bottles.

Richard: More than what KC is taking.

What vitamins do you take?

Richard: Vitamin C.

KC: Enervon-C.

How do you cope with stress?

Richard: I work out when I have the time. Otherwise, I do it at home — stretching, breathing exercises, sit-ups, push-ups.

KC: I don’t have enough time to work out these days but I used to attend dance classes with Powerdance three times a week.

What part of your body is your favorite?

KC: My butt.

Richard: Also my butt.

What part needs improvement?

Richard: I want to improve my butt even more, so I’m doing a lot of squats.

How do you take care of your skin?

KC: I always moisturize.

Richard: She really takes care of her skin. On the plane, tulog na ako pero siya busy pa sa paglalagay ng lotion sa face niya.

KC: My doctor told me that when you reach 20, you have to always moisturize. If I have to go out in the sun, I apply sunblock.

Richard: Hindi ako masipag maglagay-lagay ng kung anu-ano sa face ko at night. All I do is wash my face in the morning. And, of course, I trust Flawless to take care of my skin. That’s why it’s flawless.

When you want to get away from it all, where do you go?

Richard: To the beach.

KC: Also to the beach.

Do you go to the same beach?

KC: Hmmmm...minsan! Hahahaha!

How’s your love life?

KC: Let’s put it this way, mahilig ako magmahal. Hindi ako mabubuhay pag hindi ako magmahal.

Richard: Well, I love my job...

What really is the score between you? Nasa anong level ang relationship n’yo?

Richard: I think nandoon kami sa level bago marating ‘yung final level. KC and I are just having fun, enjoying every experience and every moment together.

What do you look for in a girl?

Richard: Understanding, maalaga and passionate.

What about you, KC?

KC: Spontaneous, playful and passionate.

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

KC: Richard Gutierrez, of course! Johnny Depp. Brad Pitt.

Name three girls you think have nice bodies.

Richard: KC Concepcion, of course! Jessica Alba. Cameron Diaz. 

Using only body language, how would you make a guy/girl know that you admire him/her?

Richard: Nasa mata lang ‘yon.

KC: Secret!

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