Richard G. ‘seduced!’

During his firstever press tour last Friday, Jan. 25, Richard Gutierrez chose The STAR as his last stop so that, according to his publicist Jun Lalin, “he can stay longer.”

And stay longer Richard did, “seduced” (to borrow the title of his Regal Films starrer Seduction [directed by Peque Gallaga with Richard’s girlfriend Sarah Lahbati and Solenn Heussaff as leading ladies], opening nationwide on Wednesday, Jan. 30) into photo ops with employees in different departments after making a courtesy call on STAR big boss Miguel Belmonte.

As soon as Richard was back at the Entertainment Section office, the staff pinned him down for an incisive (intrusive?) interview, “seduced” once more into revealing more of himself (as he did his butt in his love scenes in Seduction) as each of the staff asked a question. But that was after a group photo in which, for the first shot, the staff covered their faces with printout photos of Sarah, much to the surprise of the unsuspecting Richard who has been missing Sarah since she left for Switzerland two weeks ago to take a breather from the issues (with GMA, a “pregnant” rumor, etc.) swirling around her.

• From your Funfarer: If and when you get married, how many children do you want to have? And how soon?

Richard: I think, ideally, mga three. How soon? (Blushes and laughs) I don’t know, I don’t know!

• Nathalie Tomada (Assistant Editor): If and when, what kind of father would you be (like your dad, Eddie Gutierrez, who’s the epitome of cool)?

“I think so. Cool and collected, and at the same time…yes, nowadays, you have to be strict. So medyo strict.”

• Bot Glorioso (Sub-Editor): There’s a rumor that you’re leaving GMA. When your contract expires, will you renew it or will you remain a Kapuso?

“Ahhh, at this point hindi ko pa ini-entertain ‘yung idea because I’m so busy and I still have a contract with GMA which is preparing a soap for me, so I’m not in a position to say what’s gonna happen.”

• Ver Paulino (proofreader/part-time photographer): You celebrated your (and your twin Raymond’s) 29th birthday last Jan. 21 without Sarah. Did Sarah greet you? What was your birthday wish?

“Uhm, yes, Sarah greeted me. Nagka-usap kami that day. Yes, nag-‘I love you!’ siya sa akin. Hahahahaha! In fact, she prepared dinner for me before she left, so parang nagkaroon kami ng small get-together with her family and my family.  Raymond and my birthday was good, with our friends. My birthday wish? Sana magustuhan ng mga audience ‘yung Seduction at sana maayos na rin ang problem between Sarah and GMA.”

• Honey Orio-Escullar (proofreader): Who are three actresses (aside from Sarah and Solenn) that you would love to do (torrid) love scenes with?

“Parang ang ano naman n’un kapag sinagot ko. Baka may ma-insulto! I might leave out some, so all of them na lang! Hahahaha! I’m professional so I can work with anyone and I can do love scenes with anyone if necessary.”

• Emerson Salvador (artist): You bare your butt in Seduction. What would make you bare your front?

“Ahhh, uhm, I don’t know, I don’t know! One step at a time muna siguro. I have just done my most daring scenes (in Seduction) so I’m still trying to absorb that. My next movie, My Lady Boss, with Marian (Rivera, from GMA Films, opening third week of February) is a light romance so it’s a nice breather for me.”

• Jerry Donato (Sub-Editor): Do you sleep in the nude? Why or why not?

“Hahahahahaha! Uhm, sometimes I do.” (Follow-up question: When you have company?) “Hahahahaha! Uhm, ahhh…” (More follow-up question: With the aircon turned on full blast?) “Ahhh, no! Not so cold!” (And more follow-up question: With a thick cotton blanket or a human blanket?) “Hahahahahaha! Preferably both!” (More, louder laughter!)

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)