Ser Chief admires Jun Magsaysay, Henry Sy, John Gokongwei and Chris Tiu

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. — Confucius

Entrepreneur, actor and Philippine STAR subscriber Richard Edison Yap is more popularly known nationwide as “Ser Chief” in the ABS CBN 2 TV drama series Be Careful With My Heart, and previously as the character “Papa Chen” in the TV series My Binondo Girl. A newcomer to Philippine entertainment two years ago and a now a leading actor, 46-year-old Ser Chief recently granted the STAR an exclusive interview over lunch at the breathtakingly scenic Antipolo mansion where he regularly shoots his TV series. Here are excerpts.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you think are the reasons behind the popularity of your long-running hit TV series, Be Careful With My Heart?

RICHARD YAP: I think it’s because it is a very light TV show, we have no contrabida, walang sampalan, walang mga kidnapping (no villains, no slapping scenes, no kidnappings); it’s more of a normal family life. I think ABS CBN was then experimenting with light romantic comedy.

Why are you quite popular with women?

Maybe it’s because of the character they see (me portraying). They see a family man who is attached to his kids… maybe you should also ask them. (Smiles)

Was your TV role in My Binondo Girl your first acting job?

Yes. The only previous acting I’ve done was in fourth year high school, in a play.

What was the play and what was your role?

The play was A Man For All Seasons and I played St. Thomas More. He was the Chancellor or right hand man of England’s 16th-century King Henry VIII, who wanted to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon who did not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. In that play, as St. Thomas More, I had my head cut off. (Laughs)

How did you get into acting, who or how were you discovered?

I once had a Chowking TV commercial. My going into acting was due to the cousin of the production manager of My Binondo Girl, she was my former classmate when I studied two years of pre-med course at Velez College in Cebu. She called me if I wanted to audition for a TV role as Kim Chiu’s father.

At that time I didn’t want to audition, because when she texted me that message, my reply was: “Niloloko mo ba ako (Are you kidding me)? At my age, parang laos na (it seems I’m over the hill) to be an actor, at the age of 44.” She texted back: “No, serioso ito, mag-audition ka na (No, this is serious, just go to audition).” This former classmate of mine is Charito Vilbar, the production manager is Ms. Dagang Vilbar.

You’re quite a late bloomer in your career. Your views on late bloomers and advice to those people still planning on shifting careers?

They shouldn’t hesitate to try something new, because it might be the thing you’re looking for. I was thinking that I didn’t really like sales, because I’m not a natural salesman. I’m not naturally talkative to people I don’t really know… I’ve worked for a furniture firm 22 years as a division manager. Actually, I had plans to retire at 45, in order to try something new. I was thinking of some other kind of business, maybe with my brother, then this chance to act came.

I read in news reports that you’re planning a new restaurant with your co-star Jodi Sta. Maria?

Not a restaurant, those were mistaken reports, we’re thinking of a business like imports of consumer goods. I was misquoted there.

Who are other late bloomers you admire?

Kenny Rogers as a singer, he started only in his 50s. KFC founder Colonel Sanders.

How did you get to know former Senator Jun Magsaysay, who you endorsed in the last election?

Sobrang mabait si Senator Jun Magsaysay (Senator Jun Magsaysay is a very good man). At that time, there were offers from two other election candidates for me to publicly endorse them, but it’s hard to endorse people you don’t know. I wanted to endorse a leader like Jun Magsaysay, who I can be sure would do the right things for the Philippines.

What were your parents’ dreams for you, to be a successful businessman?

You know, it’s funny, but my late dad Alfredo Yap wanted me to be president of the Philippines. I wanted to be a doctor, but he didn’t like that. I remember as a child, he was always telling me that I’m a natural-born Filipino citizen — meaning that he and my late mother Felisa Uy Yap were already Filipino citizens when I was born. At one time, I had wanted to study law.

Do you know that the first Philippine president from your hometown, Cebu Sergio Osmeña Sr., was the son of a Chinese immigrant Pedro Lee Gotiaoco? Osmeña was his mother’s surname.

That’s interesting.

Who are the actors you admire the most and why?

Eddie Garcia, well he’s a very good actor. He has maintained his image, his image is untainted. I also admire his longevity, he’s already in his 80s.

You played the father of actress Kim Chiu in My Binondo Girl. How is she as a person? I think she’s part-Chinese?

I think it’s her dad who is half-Chinese, she can speak a little Hokkien. Kim is very nice, very down-to-earth. We felt right at home, maybe because we both came from Cebu. Her aunties are also friends of my brother. She’s like a daughter to me. 

You’ve also worked with actor Xian Lim, he told me he’s half-Chinese. What are your impressions of him?

Well, Xian’s a young guy who is still working his way up in the world.

Did you give him any advice?

My advice is for him to pursue acting with passion.

Have you watched the latest Xian-Kim film Bride For Rent?

Unfortunately, I have no time to watch movies, because of our hectic schedule.

How is your co-star Jodi Sta. Maria?

For someone who’s been acting for so long, she’s very down-to-earth. We get along well. She’s very funny. Though she doesn’t want me to say this, Jodi is a very good singer.

When are Jodi and Jolo getting married?

I don’t think they have wedding plans.

Is Wangfu Chinese Bistro in Morato Avenue, Quezon City your first restaurant venture?

No, I own a Chowking fastfood business in Makati with a business partner, it’s already in its sixth year. It’s doing well.

I had another restaurant venture, but it’s not a good story. We just closed in December 2013 after 35 months of operations. It’s a Chic-boy franchise located in U.E. Recto, Manila.

How many celebrity endorsements do you now have? How much do you charge?

I must be cheap. (Laughs) Seriously, I now have 21 celebrity endorsements like BDO, Bose, Amigo pasta, Nissan cars, Chowking, Rebisco, Manulife, Family sardines, Cremtop, Celium, Planax, Beverly Hills Polo Club leather goods, ABS CBN Mobile, Maggi seasoning, etc. Many of them it’s their first time to get a celebrity endorser.

How do you feel as member of our ethnic Chinese minority that for the first time in history, the Chinese Lunar New Year festival is an official Philippine holiday with no work and no school this year on Jan. 31?

It feels good that we’re finally being recognized as an integral part of Philippine society, especially since our minority has a long history here in the country. Early Chinese traders have sailed here, long before the Spaniards came here. Many Filipinos from Jose Rizal to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz have Chinese heritage. It’s about time that our Filipino Chinese community be also recognized for our many positive cultural, social and economic contributions to Philippine progress.

How do you celebrate the Chinese New Year?

Ever since my childhood in Cebu and up to now in Metro Manila, we celebrate the Chinese New Year eve with a family dinner that usually has fish dish and fruits. We also eat the sweet glutinous rice cake ti-ke, which is known all over the country as “tikoy.”

Speaking of foods, what are the three best dishes in Wangfu Chinese Bistro?

My favorites are Singaporean chicken, chilli crab and the cereal prawns.

Your hobbies?

Well, before going into TV, when I still had the time, I used to play billiards and golf. I used to also ride a big bike or motorcycle out of town, to places like Subic, Tagaytay and Clark.

How does it feel now that more part-Chinese or even full-blooded ethnic Chinese are being accepted even in the entertainment industry without need to change their surnames, such as Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, etc.?

That’s true, in the past, an actor like My Binondo Girl co-star Ricardo Cepeda had to change his surname, his real name is Ricardo Go. Do you know that movie queen Susan Roces can speak our Hokkien dialect, though she is more French mestiza? She’s very nice, I’ve worked with her in the TV series Walang Hanggan.

Another ethnic Chinese celebrity with a similar wholesome image like yours is basketball star and TV host Chris Tiu. Do you know him?

Yes, Chris is a good guy. In fact, we’re actually going into business together soon as partners for two new outlets of Happy Lemon in Cebu. I met him in 2012 at the Chinese New Year event of SM North Edsa in Quezon City. We had kept in touch.

How do you maintain your health and looks?

I’m supposed to have a lot of sleep daily, but I don’t have much sleep now due to TV work… I have regular exercise, proper diet — in my case, I also try to eat five small meals. You have to take care of your skin; you have to have a regimen and see a dermatologist for advice on the right soap and moisturizer to use.

How’s your other new career as a recording artist?

My music album with Star Records is doing well, it’s already platinum.

Is your next project a possible concert?

Not a concert, but we’ll be doing a few shows, maybe abroad.

How did you learn singing?

(Laughs) I’ve actually always been very interested in singing. I used to be part of the glee club in high school. My favorite local singers are Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera. And, of course, I admire the businessman, singer and songwriter Jose Mari Chan — that’s our peg.

You’re an entrepreneur, who are the entrepreneurs you look up to the most?

Henry Sy and John Gokongwei, Jr., both are “rags-to-riches” entrepreneurs who not only succeeded, but who have contributed in many ways to Philippine development. I admire Henry Sy’s determination to succeed in life, he’s a humble and good person. My late father used to work for him as his right-hand man in the 1960s and my sister today works for SM in purchasing.

I have heard a lot of stories about Henry Sy. Actually, one year before my dad died, we had dinner with Henry Sy at his restaurant in Mall of Asia in 2009 and he showed us around his mall.

John Gokongwei, Jr. is also an inspiring entrepreneur whose diverse enterprises have helped Philippine development. He’s a self-made man who also started out as a salesman, and he’s also from Cebu.

Your success secrets?

Well, I don’t think there are any real secrets to success. As you’ve often written in your columns, I think it’s still the traditional values of hard work, perseverance, integrity. Also, we should have a goal or ambition in life.

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