Kamandag’s other Gutierrez

If you happen to look closely at the half-man, half-bull Agol on Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag, you’ll notice a resemblance of the man’s features to Richard Gutierrez, the show’s title hero. And you wouldn’t be wrong. That is because underneath the make-up and costume, Agol is Elvis, Chard’s older brother. After portraying Sundance in the successful primetime hit Lupin, Elvis bids the sleek and suave character goodbye as he dons a bull costume and becomes Agol, son of the late King Budol (Johnny Delgado) from the tribe of Orobaya in the kingdom of Ambograw. A good creature as his father may be, Agol traces the path of evil and shows loyalty to Budol’s mortal foe, the wolf-king King Gulag (Zoren Legazpi). Following his father’s death and the orders of Gulag, Agol becomes a king himself. His kingship is less honorable though, as he still moves only at the command of the wolf-king. “Hindi [siya] masyadong powerful” Elvis observes. Being part of the show’s band of anti-heroes is no problem for Elvis. Having worked for three other primetime soaps in GMA, two of which he also played an antagonist’s role (he was one of the bad guys in Sugo and the scheming Andromedo in Atlantika), Elvis admits he is more at ease when playing the part. “Hindi sa gusto ko [ang maging masama], pero mas comfortable ako sa pagiging masama. Alam mo 'yun? Madali lang eh” he says. “Mahirap maging effective na mabait ka eh.” Brothers on the set Three out of the four teleseryes Elvis has starred in, he worked with his brother Richard – and Elvis proudly claims he likes every minute spent with his sibling, on or off cam. “Okay din, kasi I feel more comfortable na nadiyan siya” he says with a smile. “Pag walang take, magkasama kami sa kotse o sa dressing room, nag-uusap lang. So masaya, 'di ba, parang may instant buddy ka kaagad na kasama.” Elvis shares his personal observations with the way his younger brother has grown in the business. “I think he has improved very much since 'yung mga first acting jobs niya. Sobrang nag-improve na siya; nakikita ko na 'yung depth ng acting niya.” He also acknowledges Chard’s commendable working habits. “Pag may call time siya, he makes it a point na talagang maaga siya. Talagang masipag siya, [and] he delivers” he says. Lovin’ it Elvis and Richard are only two of the many Gutierrezes who are making their names in the entertainment industry. And though Elvis admits he initially did not want to be part of the world of glitz and glam, he thinks the camaraderie and good working relationships he has established with the people around him are making him enjoy his stay. “Nalaman ko na comfortable naman pala 'yung working environment sa mga ganito, so 'yun, nadadala na rin ako. Siguro dumating na 'yung ‘it runs in the family’. Ngayon nagugustuhan ko na rin 'yung ginagawa ko, so na-e-enjoy na rin ako” he says. -- Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio Catch more of Elvis and the rest of the cast in the primetime hit, Kamandag . You can also click on the following links for more features on the show: Kamandag, Unleashed! Directors’ Cut Richard’s Kamandag Ano ang Iyong Kamandag? And voice out your thoughts in the iGMA forums!