Six things you didn’t know about Richard Gomez

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Richard Gomez is the original “tall, dark and handsome” leading man in Philippine showbiz. In his 30 years as an actor, he has made a mark in the industry with projects like “Dyesebel” in 1990, “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” in 1991, and “Walang Kapalit” in 2003.

In an interview on “Tunay na Buhay,” Richard, affectionately called “Goma” by his fans, talks about looking good (and knowing that he does!) and taking risks. Here are six things you didn’t already know about Goma.

Richard is a proud lola’s boy

Richard’s parents split up when he was in the fourth grade. When his parents’ marriage failed, Richard’s lola took him in and raised him as her own son.

“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘I’ll take you in, aalagaan kita pero I will not treat you like an apo. Itatrato kita na parang anak para hindi spoiled ang paglaki mo,’” he said.

He and his lola lived a simple life. “Kung anong meron kami, iyon lang ang binigay sa amin,” he said.

As a boy, he knew he was good looking

As a little boy, Richard always got compliments on his looks from his parents’ friends. But he said it was in the third grade when he realized he was good looking.

He said it started because of a love letter he received. “Taga-ibang school pa nga eh,” he said, laughing. “May heart, tapos nakasulat, ‘I love you’ so sabi ko, ‘Ha, okay ‘to ah!’”

The young Goma was an adventurous risk-taker

When he was younger, Goma was always open to trying new things, no matter how crazy it seemed — as long as it didn’t send him to prison or the hospital.

“Sinubukan kong umakyat ng [puno ng] buko, nahulog na ako sa puno, napilay na ako,” he said.

Thankfully, he didn’t get himself in any serious accidents during his childhood adventures. He did, however, suffered his worst injury was while he was roller skating in the now-defunct Fiesta Carnival in Cubao. He hit his head, resulting in a scar across his eyebrow.

“[Okay lang], pogi pa rin,” he jokingly said.

Goma got his first break in showbiz without any audition!

Richard’s first manager, the late Douglas Quijano, persuaded him to get into acting. At first, Richard wasn’t interested and was only set on modeling.

Douglas asked Richard how much money he had in his wallet. “Sabi niya, ‘20 pesos lang pera sa wallet mo. Ayaw mo mag-artista, binibigyan ka na nga ng break.’”
 

The next day, Douglas took Richard to Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films, where he signed a contract to star in a movie alongside Maricel Soriano (this movie would later be “Inday Bote,” which launched his career).

His first paycheck? P25,000!

Richard has come a long way since his big break. He’s done over 30 movies since, and now has a say in every project he has.

“Gusto ko lang alam ko lahat ng mangyayari,” explained Richard. “From the script, wardrobe, schedule, ano ang rine-require ng director, ina-absorb ko lahat iyon.”

And while he may not have wanted to enter show business at first, he has grown to love it. “Masuwerte naman ako na mahal din ako ng tao sa ginagawa ko,” he said.

He gave his wife, Lucy, two engagement rings

Richard first met his wife, Lucy Torres-Gomez, in a shoot for a commercial.

He revealed that he actually gave Lucy two engagement rings. He bought the first one prior to meeting her, in the event that he meets the right girl.

For Richard, Lucy is the right girl for him. “One day, I woke up and realized na ito pala ‘yung babae na mahal ko, na gusto ko nang pakasalan,” he said.

Richard admitted to having a lot of flings and girlfriends, sometimes several at the same time. But it all changed when Lucy came along. “When I married Lucy, doon nagkaroon ng direksyon ang buhay ko na dapat responsible na ako,” he said.

This sense of responsibility, he explained, only deepened when his daughter, Juliana was born.

Politics may still be an option for him

Richard attempted several times to run for public office. In 2010, he ran to represent the fourth district of Leyte in Congress, but was later disqualified. Lucy ended up running and winning the position.

He said he is still open to running for office once again. “I’ll help Lucy in any way I can,” he said. “‘Pag dumating ‘yung panahon na ako naman yung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, then I’ll take the chance.”

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