If there’s one thing Richard Gutierrez can confirm right now, it’s this: action work hurts.
He has starred in multiple, high-octane, action-oriented projects successively, with “Blood vs. Duty” his upcoming and third consecutive lead role after “The Iron Heart” and “Incognito.”
“We’ve done a lot of taping days already… a lot of work. I have had many sleepless nights, we’ve filmed many action scenes already. I’ve also had several massage (sessions) due to body pain,” Richard shared recently in an interview.
But the 42 year old showbiz royalty is clearly deep in his action era. He said he doesn’t mind the sleepless nights and body aches.
“More than anything, we’re able to see what we’ve accomplished at the end of the day. I think we have something,” he added.
And for someone who used to do all his stunts, there’s also a bit of wisdom and practicality kicking in these days.
“I used to do all of it,” he said, “but now I do most of them.”
Off set, however, Richard switches roles, from fight scenes to father duties.
The STAR asked about his idea of bonding and game time with his sons Zion and Kai at home. “You know, kids, they have a lot of activities. I try to line up activities for them,” he said, ticking off sports like basketball and even boxing.
School is still a priority though. “Obviously, I also want them to focus on their academics,” he added.
Then, there’s the modern parenting challenge: gadgets. “But obviously they’re kids, they want their iPads, you know? So they also have iPad time,” he said.
He further said that his children, especially his eldest Zion, have also shown curiosity about acting and filmmaking after watching his work and old movies of his father, veteran actor Eddie Gutierrez.
Richard, who started out as a child star, is open to the idea of his kids going into showbiz as well. But that will have to wait.
As for his co-parenting set-up, he said it’s been running smoothly, noting, “Okay naman. We have equal time with the kids, and so far everything’s okay.”
Between action-heavy shoots and family life, Richard seems fully aware that this phase of his life also comes with more responsibility than ever.
“There’s a saying, ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown,’ right? I mean, you have a lot of responsibilities, a lot of engagements, a lot of commitments,” he said.
But instead of shying away from it, he’s leaning in. “I’m embracing it. I’m embracing the whole journey.”
That same mindset extends to his work and even to the partnerships he chooses.
Richard recently signed on as the first-ever celebrity ambassador for the King.ph app, saying he was drawn to its tech innovation and more importantly, “commitment” to responsible gaming.
“I think it’s very, very important to spread the message. When I met the team, they really made me feel that commitment to push that message, to promote responsible gaming… Enjoy and have fun but keep it balanced,” he said.
Especially now, when everything is just a tap away. “With the digital age nowadays, it’s so easy to get carried away,” the actor stressed.