Richard gets real: Action!

After playing a cyborg in the recently-concluded action-packed TV series Codename: Asero on GMA 7, Richard Gutierrez gets in the midst of real action and breathtaking adventure as host of Kapuso network’s latest show on Bilib Ka Ba Nights block titled Full Force Nature, to air Tuesdays starting tomorrow night.

The show needs no fully-choreographed stunts, heartbreaking dialogues and acting skills but a concern for the environment which the 24-year-old actor possesses as one of Greenpeace advocates since two years ago.

“I really got excited when this was offered to me because it will serve as an avenue to create awareness to the people about the problems or issues concerning the environment,” Richard says.

They may be too tough to handle. And they really are. Most countries, including the cleanest and richest ones have already felt nature’s wrath. How much more in places where garbage choked waterways and denuded forests create flashfloods and landslides? There’s still hope, Richard says, and it’s not too late for everyone to act and do their share to save Mother Nature.

“Our way of thinking, government and business leaders play major roles dito sa game ng environment. Our job here is to inform, create awareness and inspire people so we can make a difference if we all make an effort to do even one small act,” he adds. A cellphone charger, Richard suggests, should be unplugged after use to lessen energy consumption or just by simply keeping the faucet tightly closed when not in use can save up to 75 liters of water a day. 

Full Force Nature will show video clips of different horrendous natural calamities that swept other countries and may occur again and again as environment problems get worse. In the country, Richard and the show’s staff will go to places where natural calamities had unbelievably occurred like the hailstorm that struck in Baguio or the flashfloods in Bulacan.

“Our first taping day in Biak-na-Bato (Bulacan) had to be packed up because all our things and lighting equipment got wet with the sudden rush of water in the river at biglang tumaas yung tubig. It was the same place where I first experienced being stranded on the other side of the river during my Mulawin days,” Richard relates.

“Aside from calamities, the show will also give tips to televiewers on what to do in times of natural disasters. It will also share information about the air we breathe and the water we drink which many of us may not know,” direk Dominic Zapata says.

How does the show differ from Signos?

“Full Force Nature will make you feel the wrath of nature. Some (calamities) may not happen here but there is also a possibility na mangyari sa atin. Dito, makikita mo sa TV kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman ng mga taong nakaka-experience no’n. So, ‘yon pa lang, entertaining and exciting na for the audience. At the same time, it shows me giving ideas and pointers on how we can avoid these matters,” Richard replies.

As Greenpeace advocate, what’s number one on his to-do list to help restore nature’s beauty?

“First is to inspire other people to be an advocate, too. I also plan to hold a celebrity tree planting soon in connection with Bench’s green campaign which I spearhead for the apparel brand. I am also proud to say that Bench donated trees for La Mesa dam,” he answers. 

As a celebrity spokesperson, Richard adds that he helps the group with its non-violent moves in saving the environment like creating informative videos that will reach a lot of people nationwide. He, too, will be going to Boracay to shoot a video for the tourists who visit the island. Then, by April next year, GMA 7 will produce another documentary similar to Signos.

”I’d also like to create awareness among the youth so we will go to different schools, as one of my projects next year. Signos, by the way, is now out on DVD. Hopefully, it can be shown to schools because it is very informative,” Richard relates.