Stars on what it takes to have an ‘iron heart’

MANILA, Philippines — The directors of ABS-CBN action-packed series The Iron Heart assured the viewers that they “will show something different that has not been seen on TV.” 

Lead actor Richard Gutierrez is a tough fighter named Apollo in the newest series shot entirely in Cebu. It is helmed by directors Lester Pimentel Ong and Richard Arellano with Jay Fernando as the creative manager.

Also included in the cast are Maja Salvador (special participation), Sue Ramirez, Jake Cuenca, Dimples Romana, Pepe Herrera, Baron Geisler, Sofia Andres, Kyle Echarri, Diether Ocampo, Albert Martinez, Enzo Pineda, Althea Ruedas and Meryll Soriano.

Direk Lester asserted that his latest show is different from his previous vampire-themed La Luna Sangre and fantasy series Bagani. “It’s totally different in terms of story-telling,” he explained in a virtual call. “Kasi ito yung mas ngayon, mas totoo (and) mas present (This is more relevant, more truthful and more present). And then in terms of action, it’s totally different from the vampires, from the warriors of the alternate world of Bagani. You’ll see here the modern way of doing gun fights. Maybe, we will show something different that has not been seen on TV.”

“(Like) how a gun fight is done, of course, our pegs are the Hollywood films. It’s a different way, a modern way of showing hand-to-hand combats. And knife-fighting,” he continued. 

He also commended Richard as “one of the few real martial artists who is in showbiz. Talagang gumagalaw siya. It’s really genuine. It’s (not) something that he just learned for the show, it’s something that he’s been doing since he was a kid so we’re very fortunate to have him.”

“And of course, in terms of story-telling, it is very different because it’s a journey of person who is out there to give justice to his loved ones,” he added. 

For Richard, a person who possesses an “iron heart” is someone who has a “strong, dedicated and unwavering will.” 

Baron chimed in, “May pusong dili maguba ba (Someone who has a heart that doesn’t easily get destroyed), has integrity, may ipinaglalaban at may hustisyang pinaglalaban para sa kabutihan.” 

Althea added, “Mas intense magmahal (ang taong may) ‘iron heart.’” 

“After what happened during the pandemic, dapat lahat tayo may ‘iron heart’ na,” said Dimples. “‘Pag-iron heart, pinagtibay na ng panahon. After the pandemic, alam mo na kung papano pangangalagaan yung pusong malambot na yun… Pagmamahal na pinagtibay lakas na ginagamit sa tama.” 

Dimples, who recently gave birth to her third baby, also shared she did postnatal pilates exercise to cope with postpartum depression, at the same time, to herself ready for work. “It’s also the reason why after every time I give birth, you see me working right away. That’s how I battle postpartum. I have it really bad. Like I wake up in the morning and I feel sad…,” she admitted.

Richard in scenes with co-stars Sue (left photo) and Jake.

“I wanted to get back to work right away but, of course, with care kasi nga CS (caesarean) ako. So I did pilates first. And now I’m doing muay thai and BMA (martial arts) and recently, tennis. Slowly but surely and with the guidance of direk Lester and his team,” she said on how she managed the fighting scenes in the series after a childbirth. 

Meanwhile, when Maja was asked about her “special participation” in the show, Star Cinema marketing executive Mico del Rosario answered on her behalf. He replied, “It’s a special role really. And we felt that for that special role, we needed a special woman. We know that Maja is very busy, she has a lot of engagements and we are so happy that she accepted that.”

Maja returned to her former network ABS-CBN after appearing in GMA 7 and TV5 shows over the pandemic. She launched her own artist management company Crown Artist Management last year. 

The actress is elated to play one of the leading ladies of Richard’s Apollo. According to her, it was easy to say yes because the projet is under Star Creatives. “Andami kong nagawang magagandang shows under Star Creatives, Legal Wives and Bridges of Love. Iba yung alaga din sa akin ng Star Creatives family.” 

“And then when I was told it was going to be a show with Richard, sabi ko sige pakinggan ko because baka ito na yung tamang panahon para magsama kami ni Chard. After that, may kunting revisions and then ayun, lumipad na ako agad-agad sa Cebu. And then when I arrived, parang naka-benteng ‘thank you’ si Richard… Nakakatuwa na kasali ako dito sa Iron Heart,” she recalled.