Fresh from his very recent admission that he is a proud father, Filipino actor/model Richard Gutierrez is visiting Dubai along with his girlfriend, Filipino-Swiss actress/model Sarah Lahbati, for the FREEZE Fashion Open Shoot Network, a fashion and photography event at Domeland on Friday.
But it’s their recent revelation that they are parents that has trained lenses on the couple. Gutierrez first made the admission during the pilot episode of the Gutierrez family’s reality show It Takes GUTZ To Be A Gutierrez on E! Channel Asia. Minutes after the TV revelation, Lahbati posted a photo of Gutierrez’ hands and those of their son, Zion, with the caption, “Extremely happy to announce the new member of our family, baby Zion” on her Instagram account.
In a one-on-one interview with tabloid! on Wednesday, the loved-up couple sweetly held hands as they opened up about the revelation and how it has impacted their lives.
“Privacy is basically out of the door after the reality show. I’ve tried to keep my privacy for a while, but once we decided that we are doing a reality show I started putting my Instagram account public. For a reality show to work, you really need to be true to your audience — you need to be yourself. Once you’re keeping your privacy in a reality show, it won’t work. We give our 100 per cent to the viewers — we open up our lives,” says Gutierrez.
Was a reality show the best place to reveal he and Lahbati now have a child?
“We actually wanted to share our blessing a long time ago, from the very start, but there were some unfortunate events happening that time. It was kind of hard times for us, so we decided to lay low,” says Gutierrez. “Now that everything is settled, I think — we think — it’s the perfect time to share it with everyone. Sarah and I are very happy right now. The whole family is behind us. It was really just the perfect time. And there is no better venue or place or medium to do it than in a reality show.”
It took more than a year for Gutierrez and Lahbati to go public with their baby news. Gutierrez’s mother, Annabelle Rama, had said they decided not to make an announcement as they were afraid the child might be dragged into a legal row involving Lahbati and GMA 7 executive Annette Abrogar. Early this year, Lahbati and Abrogar settled their legal tussle.
The couple also talked about their plans for their son, including the possibility of him joining the showbiz world.
“I really want him to finish his studies. I want him to focus on school and not to focus on show business as much as possible,” says Lahbati.
Gutierrez adds: “Our dream for him is to finish his studies, but obviously we cannot decide for him. Whatever he decides in the future, we will support him.” If given a choice, Gutierrez want his son become an Olympic athlete or an astronaut — after that “he can do whatever he wants,” he says with a laugh.
After the Dubai show, the couple, whose relationship blossomed when they worked together in the GMA soap opera Makapiling Kang Muli, might work together on a movie this year. “They are developing a story,” says Gutierrez. “It’s a love story drama, but not the usual take on it. It will be our second movie together after Seduction. We are very excited of course. We get to spend time at home and at work, so it’s the best set-up for us.”
Meanwhile, the couple said they are excited to visit Dubai together. Gutierrez, 30, last visited Dubai in 2008 when he was filming some scenes for his television soap opera Codename: Asero. It’s the first visit for 20-year-old Lahbati.
“I’ve been telling her about it — that it’s one of the cities that I really want to come back to and explore and experience again,” shares Gutierrez.
Asked about the places the couple want to visit, Gutierrez says: “The last time I was here, the Burj Khalifa was being built. Now the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, we want to see that. And, of course, the desert safari, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi and the Yas Marina Circuit, because I’m a fan of Formula One. Those are the top things, but we are willing to explore along the way.”
Although a first-timer in the emirate, Lahbati won’t feel like a total stranger as her brothers are based in Dubai.
“Dubai is such an incredible city. I’m so blessed to be here for work and fun. I get to see my family, my brothers — it’s exciting,” says Lahbati.
