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This coming June, Richard is about to embrace another non-magical action-seeking role in Codename: Asero.
‘Sugo’ and ‘Lupin’ both have shown Richard Gutierrez fight without the cheat of special effects, There have been no magical sepulchers, no wings or mysterious objects to help him fly. And this coming June, Richard is about to embrace another non-magical action-seeking role in ‘Codename: Asero’. Text and Photos by Jason John S. Lim. Richard Gutierrez has played many notable roles: some more memorable than the others, like the martyr-like Mulawin Aguiluz, the superhero Captain Barbell and the burglar of hearts, André Lupin. And when the school year starts once more, Richard will be taking classes at a school for special agents as Codename: Asero. Big Names, Big Budget Joining Richard in this new endeavor from the Kapuso network is Heart Evangelista, one of GMA’s newest additions to its roster of stars. Says the grateful Heart, “I’m very, very flattered [to be part of the show.] Thank you for giving me a chance with this wonderful project [where I’m] getting to work with great actors and actresses.” “Lahat ng naipon kong passion, ilalabas ko dito,” the actress promises before ending with: “God bless this show.” Also joining the show are Richard Gomez, who also expresses his excitement for working with a new team and some old faces, Janno Gibbs, Michael V., Caridad Sanchez and Ramon Christopher. Ehra Madrigal, Bubbles Paraiso, Rhian Ramos, Elvis Gutierrez, Rocky Gutierrez and Paolo Contis round off the cast. “Napakalaki ng cast, nakakalula!” Supervising Producer Lilybeth Rasonable happily says. “Pero napakaganda, sobrang exciting.” She also reveals that Codename: Asero is Richard Gutierrez’s baby, “since conception, talagang involved na siya dito. [And] we’re very happy.” The young Richard will also serve as a stunt director for the show. Program Unit Manager (PUM) Redgie Magno announces that “GMA is so excited with this project.” But she also warns the production team to spread out the budget, and “not just focus on the pilot. “I’m challenging my two directors here. I’m challenging my creative team.” The People Behind Asero Codename: Asero is the first time two of GMA-7’s most sought-after telefantasya directors, Mark Reyes (Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag, Encantadia) and Mike Tuviera (Mars Ravelo’s Captain Barbell, Lupin), will work together after their near-collaboration in Atlantika. “Usually, the pressure starts when I start taping. Pero itong Asero, story con pa lang, ‘yung pressure nandyan na kaagad.” Director Mark Reyes jokes. But the director also reminds everyone that they have to be constantly vigilant with how they do Codename: Asero. “Kailangan unang tingin pa lang nila,” the director continues. “Hindi dapat nila makita ‘yung dating pinagdaanan ni Richard. [And because] this is the second [time the Kamandag team is working] with Richard, we can not go down, we cannot plateau, we have to outdo ourselves.” And at the heels of the solid-running Kamandag, RJ Nuevas (Impostora, Bakekang) is once again headlining the newest Richard Gutierrez-starring vehicle that will also introduce Heart Evangelista to the Kapuso audience. Joining RJ are equally-stellar writers from different genres: Suzette Doctolero (Encantadia, Lupin), Dode Cruz (MariMar, Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel) and Denoy Navarro-Puno (Who’s Your Daddy Now?, Kim Sam Soon). But even though the writers have successful shows attached to them, Direk Mark still wants the creative team to work harder: “This is not a telefantasya. We don’t have costumes, we don’t have magical elements here. We don’t have that safety net na [may] mga bata manunuod. So ang biggest challenge natin dito is to make them enjoy what Codename: Asero offers - a dramatic action with a lot of comedy.” A Thankful Richard “Siyempre gusto kong pasalamatan ang GMA for giving me this really big project,” the show’s lead Richard Gutierrez begins. “Gusto kong pasalamat kay Tita Lilybeth, Miss Redg, sa lahat ng production, siyempre sa creative, thank you so much. Kay Direk Mark, Direk Mike, I’m excited to work with you guys again. And siyempre gusto kong pasalamatan si Heart for being with us.” The young actor knows that with his share of successful shows, it will only get harder and hard to outdo the last show he has done. But still, he can’t help but be excited for what else he can do. “[This is] another challenge for us, and I hope you guys are as excited as I am.” Richard also knows that there’s a bigger responsibility placed on top of his head, “kasi nga part ako nung developing team and conceptualization. But I’m ready. “This is gonna be fun,” he promises. “That’s what’s important.” What are your expectations for the new Richard Gutierrez-Heart Evangelista tandem? What can you say about the converging talents of Richard Gomez, Janno Gibbs and Michael V in one show? Talk about Codename: Asero at the iGMA Forums! Register now! Or why not find out more about the show from the stars themselves? Feel the fun with Fanatxt! Just key in RICHARD on your mobile phone, and send to 4627 for all telcos. You can also subscribe to EHRA, RHIAN or JANNO by texting their names instead. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is available only in the Philippines) And watch out this coming June for GMA-7’s most ambitious action-thriller series as of yet, Codename: Asero.