MANILA, Philippines — Richard Gutierrez is one of the few stars schooled in the martial arts, making the stunt work and action in The Iron Heart as realistic as possible.
For the ABS-CBN primetime show that airs weeknights at 8:45 on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube, the actor is collaborating with action directors Lester Ong Pimentel, Wang Yan Bin and Team Action 360.
Direk Lester is a bemedalled martial artist trained in the Beijing institution that produced the likes of Jet Li. He started out as a stuntman and stunt choreographer before becoming action director. His other most recent work is One Good Day, starring Ian Veneracion, on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform. Wang Yan Bin or director Ace, on the other hand, was behind international movies Ah Long PTE LTD and The Lion Men and part of, Ah Boys To Men and The Assassins.
The Iron Heart production takes pride in working on and delivering action that can rival that of international productions. “Kaya siya with the right team and the right mindset,” Richard told The STAR recently in an exclusive chat, adding, “Masaya ako dahil extended din kami, nakita rin ng network yung potential ng show.”
“Until when? That we don’t know yet. Yung initial kasi nagdagdag pa ng 15 weeks. But we’ll see.”
Physically, Richard is living up to the image audiences expect of an action star. He appears to be at his fittest and best form yet, although he believes there’s still room for improvement.
“I don’t want to think of it that way (that I’m at my best form). Inisip ko parang starting point ko palang. I can still push myself harder if I stay consistent. I have been preparing for that. It takes months eh. It takes a long time to prepare so finally, it’s all coming together. I’m going to push harder pa. Dami pang kulang, dami pang pwedeng ma-improve and to work on.”
He further shared of his learnings from doing the show:
“Every project is a learning experience because you’re working with different people, different scripts so you keep evolving as an artist. For this, I learned to just embrace the experience and be open to your colleagues. Right now, I’m always talking to the writers, producers, directors, and you get to see different sides. So, you just keep on being open and take the things that will benefit you,” he said.
Richard admitted to being sensitive to critical comments when he was younger.
“Right now, I’m open to criticism. As an actor, I always tell my directors, please tell me if something is not OK. I’m willing to retake scenes. Even with my co-actors (I’m open) if they suggest something, as all of us have a vision for the show, and sometimes, there are things that a director or a co-actor sees, but another person doesn’t. Nothing beats a collaborative (environment) or collaboration.”
Currently, Richard’s lead character Apollo continues to “collaborate” and partner with once-nemesis Eros (played by Jake Cuenca) to uncover The Iron Heart, the secret project of resident villain Priam (Albert Martinez). He forms a team called Apollo 5, which besides Eros, includes Juno (Meryll Soriano), Venus (Sue Ramirez) and Poseidon (Pepe Herrera).
The past few weeks also saw the special appearances of the likes of Ian Veneracion and Diether Ocampo. And it’s not strictly action with the growing romantic angle between Apollo and Venus.
The series has been filming entirely in Cebu. “We’re very well-supported in Cebu. Na-establish namin lahat ng locations dun. Yes, definitely we’re going to present new locations in Cebu because Cebu has so much to offer because the city is about 30 minutes to an hour from parang Baguio ka na (Busay area) or a beautiful beach is like an hour away. Everything is there,” he said.
Richard’s wife Sarah Lahbati and their young kids Zion and Kai have been spotted with him in Cebu. He also brings his sons to the set. He said of his family, particularly his children, “Tuwang tuwa sila sa show, sila talaga yung supporters ko sa bahay kasi every night pinapanood talaga nila. They never miss an episode, they’re very honest with me kung meron silang hindi na gustuhan or something.
“They’re my critics. They’re my No. 1 supporters and critics. Si (mom Annabelle Rama) siya din, isa pa yun (laughs). Gusto ko yung ganun, yung may honesty talaga. So, I know what needs to be improved. And very happy sila sa show. Si Sarah, she keeps telling me ang ganda ng show and to keep it up. So nakaka-inspire,” Richard said.
Is there a chance for Sarah to make an acting return via The Iron Heart?
“Andun naman siya BTS (behind the scenes) hahaha! Ang hirap kasi ‘pag nagsabay kami kasi mga bata walang…very hands-on kasi si Sarah. Actually, both of us but since I’m busy now, she has to take over and it’s not easy taking care of two boys and then being a hands-on mom and ako wala. Siempre, maraming adjustments,” he said.
“So, I can’t imagine if sabay kami nagte-taping ni Sarah. But if there’s a chance for her to return to (acting) and then kung makapag-guest man siya, why not? Sobrang OK siya for us kasi pareho kami ng schedule. My kids might even go to school in Cebu (laughs). We’ll see.”