First Film and Award - "...It was his late manager Douglas Quijano who persuaded him to get into acting. “He always asked me bakit di daw ako mag-artista. I always said ayaw ko, ang yabang ko pa. Gusto ko modeling lang.” One time, Douglas asked him how much money he had in his wallet. Richard took it out and they both saw only P20. Douglas told him, “mag-artista ka na, tama na yang modeling-modeling na yan.” A week after, Richard recalls, Douglas came to him with a check worth P25,000. He was told he would be starring in a movie with Maricel Soriano and William Martinez, Inday Bote. He shares that the role was originally offered to Gabby Concepcion, and when he declined, Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films was looking for another leading man. On Richard’s first shooting day, he was late. His call time was at 12 noon and he got to the set before 2 p.m. Maricel tells him, “Hoy, Richard, sa trabaho natin, di ka pwedeng late. Sa trabaho natin, di ka pwedeng masyadong mabait.” That being his first-ever time on set, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of advice that was! Maricel went on to say, “Katulad ko mataray ako pero marami akong kaibigan, at ikaw mukha kang mataray, kaibigan na kita.” For some reason, he says, they clicked instantly. That was the movie that really launched his career...Most memorable awards won: Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit: “That was very memorable because it was my first acting award. After eight nominations, I finally won it. In fact I cried in my speech when I received that award. After that, tuluy-tuloy na....It (the film, "Dahas") was supposed to be a grand slam. I should’ve won all the awards but I lost it, and I lost it pa sa Urian. I remember, every year I would win the Urian, and Dahas would’ve been my fourth year of winning that award. It was painful kasi pang-grand slam ko yun.” He says about the roles he takes: “I’m so good when I do bad roles and I’m shying away from those kind of roles already.” He may have scored his first acting job out of luck, but since then, he has been taking acting workshops that honed his craft. On the possibility of him doing a movie again, he says, “I wanna do a big one again. One day I will..." - Bianca Gonzalez, The Philippine Star, Feb 19 2012 (READ MORE)
Psychically Connected. - "...Minsan, Minahal Kita," Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez's "reunion" movie after their real-life romance ended years ago, is expected to do well at the box office when it opens today. To make sure that it's a hit, the two stars have been going out of their way to promote the movie on TV. At first, they didn't want to answer personal questions about their romance and why it went sour, because they didn't want the movie press to "feast" on their private lives, especially now that they're both happily married to other people, who might resent the past being brought up again. But the questions can be persistent, and a little controversy does add spice to a promotional campaign, so, two Sundays ago, Richard and Sharon found themselves opening up more than usual to guest interviewers Martin Nievera and Amy Perez on Sharon's own TV show. The big question, of course, was: If Sharon and Richard were so in love when they were sweethearts, why did they have to break up? At first, the answers were rather tentative: "With us, it was always wrong timing" - that sort of thing. Then came Richard's statement: "She loved me more than I loved her:" Surprised, Sharon retorted with a raised eyebrow, "I thought, pantay..." If they could change what happened, what adjustments would they make? Richard: "I should have focused more on Sharon." Sharon: "I know now that nobody's perfect. I should have waited it out, I should have been more patient." Despite their being more forthcoming than usual about that shared chapter in their lives, the two stars still ended up keeping the details about the real reasons for their breakup to themselves -as well they should. In any case, the answer are moot and academic, because Sharon and Richard have found "happines apart," with their respective spouses. But friends will continue teasing them about the fact that the Gomezes and the Pangilinans share the same wedding anniversary: April 28. Of course, Sharon and Richard swear that the unique conjunction is purely, absolutely coincidental, but some people see in this a small sign that they are still psychically connected..." - Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Feb 23, 2000 (READ MORE)
Richard Gomez and Vilma Santos' Films
- Iputok mo...Dadapa ako! (Hard to Die) (1990) - A forgettable film directed Tony Y. Reyes that stars Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto and the late Francis Magalona. Several big stars appeared in cameo roles like, the late FPJ, Nora Aunor and ofcourse, Vilma and Richard
- Kapag langit ang humatol (1990) - “…The whole-afternoon affair gave Ate Vi time to bond with Manay Ichu, the “second mother“ she hasn’t seen lately. Ate Vi recalled for the nth time how Manay Ichu and the late Atty. Espiridion Laxa saved her from the poor house, helping her with BIR (tax), financial, and career woes. The actress made memorable films for Manay Ichu, including “Rubia Servios,“ directed by Lino Brocka. Brocka triggered memories about a film she made for Vision, produced by Charo Santos and Simon Ongpin (Where is he?), in which this columnist had a “role.“ Vision offered Ate Vi two project. The true story of a crusading lady doctor to be directed by Brocka. A radio serial by Salvador Royales, “Kapag Langit ang Humatol.“ She wanted to do a Brocka film, but this columnist objected, telling Ate Vi, “You don’t need another award, you need a blockbuster.“ Ate Vi listened and “obeyed.“ The radio serial was a huge, huge hit. And even critically acclaimed, giving Laurice Guillen the best director award from the Manunuri (Urian)…” - Ronald Constantino, Feb 15 2012, Tempo (READ MORE)
- Ibigay mo sa akin ang bukas (1987) - “...At present, Santos is completing Ibigay Mo sa Aking ang Bukas for producer Esperidion Laxa. The movie, slated for opening first week of March, was originally scheduled to be shown this week (simulaneously with Sharon Cuneta’s Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin, but Laxa apparently decided otherwise, “Medyo hilaw pa sa promotion,” said the actress. In the movie, Santos is once again playing the role she’s best known for, that of a liberated woman. “D’yan naman talaga ako nagustuhan ng tao, you know, women who fight for their personal happiness.” She is again paired with Gabby Concepcion, who incidentally, is rumored to be her boyfriend. There is definitely nothing between her and Gabby, she clarified. “Ah, si Mayor?” she gleefully replied to the question, “we’re just comfortable with each other. Minsan na akong napikon sa tsismis na iyan. We’re friends and I hope people would just leave it at that.” “Is she really that liberated in real life?” Parrying the question, Santos rationalized, “Well, I deserve to be happy, too!...” - Mario V. DumaualManila Standard, Feb 19, 1987 (READ MORE)
- Tagos ng dugo (1987) - “...And what do we make out of Maryo de los Reyes’ Tagos ng Dugo, with its grossly improbable tale of multiple schizophrenia and made all the worse by the director’s penchant for pseudo-character changes? Personally, i would rate Vilma Santos here as having been last year’s most colorul character instead of a consumate performer...” - Justino Dormiendo, Manila Standard, Feb 23, 1988 (READ MORE)
- Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (1986) - "...After a string of unsuccessful relationships with different men, Corina (Vilma Santos) finally settles down with Teodolfo/Teddy, (Eddie Garcia), an old widowed man whose daughter, Ana (Maricel Soriano) and sister Julita (Rosemarie Gil), never approved of his new wife. In her best attempt of being a good wife and stepmother to her new family, Corina gets smitten by Neil (Gabby Concepcion), a married man with a kid whom she had an affair with. Things get haywire as Corina starts to feel guilty about cheating on Teddy who has been good to her. Ana also discovers her adulterous acts and tries to kick her out of the family. Just when Neil is ready to leave his wife Vicky (Snooky Serna) and their kid for Corina, everything turns around when Teddy’s death revealed a secret that changed their lives forever..." - Regal Films (READ MORE)
- Lamat sa Kristal (1988) - "...Vilma Santos went through with the taping of her first drama special, Lamat sa Kristal, during the rage of killer typhoon Unsang. While it wrought havoc in the entire nation and claimed numerous lives and destroyed properties, the whole production made good use of the terribly bad weather to set the mood for the top actress’ tele-movie. Indeed, there’s nothing like Mother Nature providing the real atmosphere, as teh stars and crew braced the strong winds and heavy rains. To the said stars and crew the showbiz rule “the show must go on” still holds true, no matter what the weather is..." - Meg mendoza (READ MORE)
Richard Gomez (born on April 7, 1966 in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino actor, comedian, model, athlete, television presenter, and director. He is one of the famous actors in Philippine Cinema. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He is one of ABS-CBN's contract actors. Gomez was raised by his grandmother. Before his entry in show business, he worked in at McDonalds. His dream came true when his modelling career began. After modelling, he pursued an acting career. His mother is the screen siren of 60s Philippine cinema, Stella Suarez. His cousin is Stella Suarez, Jr. aka Pinky Suarez, who was adopted by his parents and raised as his sibling. His father has Spanish-Mexican blood. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
Related Reading:
- Body Talk with Richard Gomez
- Richard Gomez: In Love, Content, Filipino
- Fatherhood Suits Richard Gomez
- The scents & sensibility of Richard Gomez
- Dawn Zulueta: I could have ended up with Richard Gomez
- Real Name: Richard Frank Gomez (Dramatic Actor, Comedian, Athletic & TV Host)
- Richard Gomez & Dawn Zulueta Kilig Moments (Video)
- Richard Gomez recalls his fondest memory of Dolphy (Video)
