Hi there! I am Zion!

Just call me Zee.

My full name is Zion Lahbati. My parents are Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati. Even when I was inside my mom’s tummy, the whole world probably knew where I would be born…yes, in Switzerland…thanks to the resourceful movie reporters. Salamat po, mga Tito at mga Tita, mga Kuya at mga Ate!

I’ve been a jet-setter since I was inside my mom’s tummy. I’ve traveled around the world. I’ve been to Manila, to L.A., to Paris, around Switzerland where my mom was born and grew up, all over Europe. But the most memorable city to me is Paris because that’s where my dad learned that I was starting to jump inside my mom’s tummy. Did they hug closer and tighter when they shared the good news? I bet!

No, my parents didn’t try to hide me from the world. Sa totoo lang po, my dad was so happy and so proud of me that he wanted to bring me home to the Philippines a few weeks after I was born and make me say a big “Hello!” to everybody but my Lola Annabelle stopped him. Matapang po ang lola ko, alam n’yo po ‘yon. Her word is the law. Ask my Lolo Eddie. Ang utol ni Tale ay hindi dapat mabale, otherwise maghahalo po ang balat sa tinalupan!

May dahilan po. At the time I came out into this world, sangkot po ang mom ko at ang GMA sa isang kaso. My Lola Annabelle didn’t want me to be dragged into the issue. Ayoko nga rin po madamay sa gusot ng matatanda! That was the legal advice of my mom’s lawyer at sinunod lang po ng lola ko.

Actually, before Daddy Richard made that “I am a proud father!” confession on E! Channel’s It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez (ITGTBAG) last week, I was already going around after I came back from Switzerland. I stayed in L.A. for more than seven months and it was Lolo Eddie and Tito Elvis and his girlfriend Tita Alexa who took care of me, along with a family friend. Back home, Lola Annabelle would take me to the mall for a stroll but people didn’t have any idea who I was, hehehehe! Now they know, especially after last night when E! Channel introduced me to the public. Hi guys! Finally, I am facing the world with a cute smile. I look more like my mom than my dad, di ba?

On Saturday, my mom and dad, at siempre with Lola Annabelle as punong-abala, will treat me to a Lion-themed baptismal and birthday party (almost two months after my actual birthday). Our close friends are invited. I will have 20 pairs of ninongs and ninangs. Ang saya! As my Lola Annabelle would say, Bongga, ‘Day!!!

I am Zion. Just call me Zee. I’m proud to be a Gutierrez. Yes, it does take gutz to be a Gutierrez!

— An imaginary interview with Zion ‘Zee’ Lahbati

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)