‘Lovesick’ Richard is missing Sarah terribly

Last Wednesday night, barely three days after his girlfriend Sarah Lahbati left with her mother for Switzerland (where Sarah’s father is based), a visibly sad-eyed and “lovesick” Richard Gutierrez had a quick early dinner at Ryu Ramen & Curry (along Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City, owned by Ogie Alcasid and friends) with select members of the press.

Sarah left amidst a raging controversy involving her home studio GMA and persistent rumors that she’s infanticipating, which has been flatly denied by Richard’s mom Annabelle Rama who personally sent Sarah and her mom off at the airport.

Perhaps in due respect to his current sensitive/vulnerable emotional condition, nobody asked Richard about the pregnant rumor, even if somebody vaguely hinted at it, when Richard confirmed that Sarah is indeed studying in Switzerland, by wondering if her studies would take Sarah, hmmmm, nine months away from the maddening crowd?

“It’s a pity that she’s not around to help in the promo for our movie,” said Richard, referring to Regal Films’ Seduction in which the “comebacking” director Peque Gallaga effortlessly convinced Richard and Sarah, and Richard and other leading lady Solenn Heussaff, to do torrid love scenes (one of which exposed Richard’s bare butt). “It’s her first big role and I’m sure she would have enjoyed the promo.”

Was it “lovesickness” that drove Richard to temporarily move from his bachelor’s pad (where he has been living alone for eight years) to the family residence in White Plains, Quezon City?

“There’s practically nobody in our home in White Plains,” explained Richard. “Si Mommy is busy campaigning in Cebu (where she’s running for congresswoman) at si Daddy (Eddie Gutierrez) is busy taping. Most of the time, the only ones left are my two brothers, Elvis and Ritchie Paul, so I decided to keep them company,” adding cryptically, “tutal mag-isa lang ako ngayon, so….” No, nobody asked if he and Sarah were living together or in a “sleep-over” set-up. “It’s good that I’m busy every day, maraming schedule, and that takes my mind away from the issues.”

But when he’s alone in his room, Richard admitted that that’s when he would miss Sarah terribly. They connect only via texting, long-distance calls and Skype or Facetime…thanks to advances in technology. Imagine how much Richard’s monthly phone bills would be!

After Seduction, Richard hopped right into the set of GMA Films’ My Lady Boss, a Valentine offering with Marian Rivera as his leading lady (also his co-host in the GMA show Extra Challenge), a light romance-comedy that gives him a breather from the heaviness of Seduction, and is bracing for yet another GMA soap. It’s a schedule so tight that won’t allow him time to visit Sarah in Switzerland, isn’t it? Richard reacted with a sad look in his eyes.

That also means that Sarah won’t be around to celebrate the 29th birthday of Richard and twin brother Raymond on Monday, Jan. 21.

“I’ll be coming from Cebu (for the Sto. Niño fiesta), at plano namin ni Raymond is to celebrate it with a quiet family dinner,” said Richard. “It could be here or in Cebu, we don’t know yet.”

While most everybody has already seen Seduction and praising it to high heavens, Richard has yet to see it. Unedited, the movie was four-hours long, reduced to a fast-paced two hours.

“I would love to work with Peque again,” added Richard who promised to show “even more” for the right project. “It’s so fulfilling to work with a director like Peque.”

In the movie, Peque described Sarah as “water” and Solenn as “fire,” with Richard’s character caught in-between.

Asked if he has found himself between those two forces in real life, Richard blushed.

“Yes, I have been. When I was younger I used to entertain that kind of adventure. Basta, I’m sure that the men will easily identify with my character,” deliberately not giving any clue who the “water” and the “fire” in his recent(?) past were. “It’s good that I have had that kind of experience in real life kasi nagamit ko ‘yon in my portrayal in the movie.”

Dad Eddie is more “water” than “fire,” being cool under pressure, still gentle even when already angry.

“I’m like Daddy in many ways,” admitted Richard. “I handle problems in a relaxed manner. Daddy has been reminding me that life is short and you have to enjoy every moment of it.”
Any piece of advice from his dad as far as handling women is concerned?

“None,” laughed Richard. “I guess nakikita naman niya na kaya ko.”

Richard rushed back to a dubbing session at Sampaguita Studio from where he took time out to meet with the movie writers.

In a few hours, he would be done with work and find himself alone in his room, pining for his girlfriend miles and miles away.

No problem. The phone is within reach. And then, he and Sarah would be connected once again, burning the lines until the wee hours of the morning.

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