‘Blood vs Duty’ star says focus is on craft, not politics, as he praises action icon’s presence and on-set collaboration.
Richard Gutierrez, star of ABS-CBN Studios’ action series “Blood vs Duty,” defended veteran action star and now Senator Robin Padilla, who recently drew flak over his television comeback through the series.
“We’re doing an action series, and kapag nag-guest ang isang action king like Robin Padilla, honor sa amin iyon. No hesitations. Kung ano man ang reactions ng mga tao, siyempre hindi na namin controlled ‘yon,” Gutierrez said.
“Ang gaan ng feeling na maka-trabaho siya. Nang magka-eksena [na] kami, it was the first time na maka-eksena ko siya sa buong buhay ko so, I’m grateful for the experience. Kapag pumasok siya sa room, iisipin mo senator natin siya. He’s been doing action scenes for so many years, so may mounting nervousness from the people around him, pero siya mismo nagpapagaan. Maka-tao siya,” he shared with the press.
Padilla’s return to television drew mixed reactions online due to his political ties, but Gutierrez emphasized that their focus remained on the project rather than politics.
“All the political things na nangyayari sa Congress at sa Senado, hindi ‘yon ang gusto naming pag-usapan o patunayan dito. We are artists. Senator Robin started as an actor, and he missed acting. Sobrang bagay sa kanya ’yong role,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez shares lead star billing with Gerald Anderson.
Aside from starring in the series, Gutierrez also stepped behind the camera, helping conceptualize several action and stunt sequences—an experience he said he thoroughly enjoyed.
“I did a few scenes dito, not just as an actor. I enjoyed being behind the camera, and I worked with stunt director Erwin Tagle. We mounted the scenes together, so it was more of a team effort. Minsan lang tayo magkaroon ng pagkakataon gawin ’yong passion mo, so nagtutulungan talaga kami.”
Gutierrez also spoke about his collaboration with Padilla on their action sequences.
“’Yong eksena with Senator Robin, it was a collaborative effort. Lahat kami nagbigay ng input, and lahat kami in-enjoy namin ’yong process para mapaganda ang serye. Ang ganda ng camaraderie, masaya ang experience namin.”
“Blood vs Duty” is now entering its final two weeks of airing across ABS-CBN platforms, with advanced episodes also streaming on Netflix.
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