Richard Gutierrez is the country's hottest matinee idol today

efinitely, Richard Gutierrez is the country's hottest matinee idol today.

Not only is he very popular among the young movie/TV fans, but Richard is also idolized for his wholesome image, and as being one very hardworking actor.

And for really working hard, Richard is now reaping the fruits of his labor: He has now to his name a posh condominium unit at one of the country's prime locations, The Fort. Richard also has some other investments, plus a business venture to boot.

Anyway, Richard's popularity zoomed to greater heights when he embodies the stalwart fantasy hero, the half-human, half-bird Aguiluz in "Mulawin the Series," with former "Click" co-star Angel Locsin , although at that time they had different screen partners.

Richard and Angel's loveteam was put to test via the GMA Films movie "Let the Love Begin" which was shown in Febuary last year and which was a monumental box-office hit. In the movie, so enamored were audiences with the gorgeous Richard that they willingly suspended their disbelief and accepted the actor in his dirt-poor janitor-cum-scholar role. To his credit, Richard acquitted himself wonderfully well in the role, making millions of boys and girls feel sorry for him.

A few months after "Mulawin's" TV run ended, Richard followed it up with the martial arts action serial "Sugo," another ratings triumph for GMA 7. "Sugo" has Richard playing dual roles and battling evil forces, for which he had to learn martial arts. Meanwhile, the public clamor for a reteaming with Angel Locsin was hard to resist, as was the demand for a new chapter in the "Mulawin" saga. So when "Mulawin the Movie" was shown in last December's film festival, audiences came in droves and made it a bonafide blockbuster.

It was also the only MMFF entry to be given an "A" rating for excellence by the hard-to-please Cinema Evaluation Board.

Richard and Angel are hoping to strike it three-in-a-row with Regal Films' "I Will Always Love You," also Richard's first movie for the calendar year.

In the kilig movie which was filmed in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, Richard plays Justin, a spoiled rich boy who falls in love with Cecille, a simple provincial lass.

"It's an engaging and touching love story, and Angel is always a pleasure to work with," Richard says. "Our working relationship is as great as ever. I think it helps that aside from the chemistry and rapport we share, we're also very good friends."

Partly shot in San Francisco , the city which no one can leave without leaving part of his/her heart behind, "I Will Always Love You" is the perfect date movie for the love month. Director Mac Alejandre is ecstatic at the prospect of starting a brand-new year with a wondrous, romantic film about a young couple learning to fight for love despite all odds. "Dito sa movie, Richard (and Angel) have never been better as actors, and never more beautifully photographed."

Starting Feb. 8, Richard's huge billboards all over EDSA will not be the sole cause of traffic. Expect his loyal fans to congregate in theaters and cause traffic in the streets on that day, when "I Will Always Love You" opens in selected theaters nationwide.

"I Will Always Love You" is a co-production of Regal Entertainment Inc . and GMA Network Films . It also stars Jean Garcia, Lloyd Samartino , James Blanco, Bearwin Meily, Tuesday Vargas, Miriam Pantig , Lloyd Samartino and Jean Garcia.