MANILA, Philippines – After a break from TV projects, Richard Gutierrez returns to television in the new remake of Carlo J. Caparas’ Ang Panday, which will air this month.

During the grand press conference for the show on Tuesday, February 9, Richard expressed that he was honored to be picked for the role that was popularized by the late Fernando Poe Jr and more recently, Bong Revilla.

“Ang Panday is a legendary character. Alam ko na kapag ginawa ko itong character na ito, kailangan ang buong pagkatao ko ay committed dito sa proyetong ito,” Richard said.

(The Panday is a legendary character. I know that if I do this character, I need to commit myself wholeheartedly in this project.)

“Malaking karangalan sa akin maging isang Panday at of course, si FPJ unang nagpasikat sa character ni Panday. Kaya napakalaking…kumbaga it’s a big shoe for me to fill,” he added. 

(It’s a big honor for me to be the Panday, and of course, it was FPJ who frst made the character very popular. That’s why it’s a big…in other words, these are big shoes for me to fill.)

Richard entering the Presscon #AngPanday pic.twitter.com/mryg3Hi6tb

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) February 9, 2016

After the press conference, Richard told reporters that to prepare, he watched all the previous Panday shows and went through quite a transformation, with exercise and diet.

Richard was also asked about his experience working with TV5. Before taking a break from showbiz to concetrate on son Zion and girlfriend Sarah Lahbati, Richard was with GMA 7.

“It’s good, its refreshing. Nasa bagong network ako pero pare-pareho pa rin ang mga mukha na nakikita ko (I’m in a new network but I still see the same faces),” Richard said.

“Pero hindi, yung mga staff and crew din sa TV5 mga nakatrabaho ko na din sila before, some of them.  (But no the staff and crew in TV5, I’ve worked with them in the past, some of them.)  But it’s something new, a different culture so I would like to build something good sa TV5.”

Three-year break 

Richard said that the break from showbiz also helped him a lot, giving time for his other activities.

In an interview with reporters after the press conference, Richard said he poured all his free time into being with his family and himself.

“Nakita ko yung mga totoong tao sa paligid ko. At na re-evaluate ko yung buhay ko, I needed that and nakapag-travel ako. So maraming-marami realizations nangyari sa akin and ngayon I’m back and I’m ready,” he said.

(I saw who were the real people around me. I also re-evaluated myself, I needed that and I was able to travel. So there were so many realizations that happened to me and now, I’m back and I’m ready.)

He also said that he’s more excited to be back on TV instead of feeling nervous since he was away from working.

As for the report that the show was originally offered to Derek Ramsay, Richard said: “Walang issue para sa akin. Alam ko yung totoo at alam ni Direk Carlo J. Caparas ang totoo.” (There’s no issue with me. I knowwhat’s the truth and Direk Carlo J. Caparas knows the truth.) 

The creator and director told the press that Richard was their first choice to play the role.

Direk Carlo says that he felt Richard was perfect for the role of Flávio, the man who will hold the sword #AngPanday pic.twitter.com/GrR04iWIAB

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) February 9, 2016

As for his expectations now that he’s back to work, Richard said: “Right now we’re just giving our best. Ini-expect namin that we’re going to give a good show. Yun lang ang expectation namin and to entertain yung mga tao. (We’re expecting to give a good show. That’s all we expect and to entertain people.)”

In Ang Panday, Direk Carlo and Mac Alejandre shared that there are many changes to keep up with the times. One of them is that Flavio is a foundling in the story and that he has a brother.

Aside from Richard, Ang Panday also stars Christopher de Leon, Sam Pinto, Bangs Garcia, Empoy, Alonzo Muhlach, Ranz Kyle, CJ Caparas, Ara Mina, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

Directed by Mac Alejandre, Ang Panday airs on February 29. – Rappler.com