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.

Angel Locsin wins Pinoy Wannabe Award at Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards 2007.

Nickelodeon 20th milestone anniversary Kid's Choice Awards 2007: The grandest preview party ever! The carpet was orange. The stars and stunts were big. The entertainment outrageous. And undoubtedly, all Nicksters "freed their mind" and had the greatest SLIME of their lives!

It was an 'orange-letter day' for all Nicksters who celebrated their power to choose, to let it all out and hailed Angel Locsin as this year's "Pinoy Wannabe Awardee" during the recently concluded Nickelodeon's 20th Kids' Choice Awards (KCA) Preview Party. But aside from the record-breaking 42,000 kids who voted, Aliw Theater was jam-packed with a total of 2,600 kids and kids at heart who—together with the biggest stars, biggest stunts, the most outrageous oddballs and larger-than-life entertainment—rejoiced in what was considered the grandest, slimiest mess-fest in all of KCA preview party history!

Hosts Sam Concepcion (last year's Pinoy Wannabe Awardee), the comical and klutzy Nickie plus the Parkour and hiphop dancersled the slime-packed preview party starting with a retrospection of past KCA hosts, Wannabes, slimed artists, highlights and taking kids' votes seriously through the years.

Pinoy Wannabe nominees John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin sent in greetings while Makisig Morales gave a super performance (with his group Mak and the Dudes ).Christian Bautista, who proudly showed off his SpongeBob necktie, rendered his latest single. Imago's spirited performance of their hit single "Taralets!" got the audience groovin'. No one made the Nicksters more animated to stand up, "pound the hammer, drill the floor and shoot the crane" than the loveable Dora The Explorer who helped announce this year's Pinoy Wannabe winner, Angel Locsin.

Though Makisig Morales didn't bag the blimp, kids still considered him their hero when he agreed to sit down the humongous slime machine and got slimed silly…all in the name of Nickelodeon tradition of messy fun!

The celebration, which ended with a fountain of fireworks and confetti burst, was so far biggest, slimiest and most outrageous get-together in Philippine KCA history! back

Angel Locsin to Jennylyn Mercado: Prove your worth

Angel Locsin was placed on the defensive when asked about her take on the spat between her manager, Becky Aguila, and Jennylyn Mercado, a co-'alaga' of Becky. Her response? She complained that she was always being blamed for the troubles of Becky's talents in GMA-7.

In a press conference attended by a Showbiz Talk insider last Friday, Angel, according to him, was exasperated about the issue and said that Jennylyn's camp should not pin the blame on her transfer to ABS-CBN for the young actress' problems with GMA-7. "Hindi ko na problema yon," Angel was quoted as saying. She added Jennylyn should take care of her own career and not blame her for any misfortunes that had happened. She also dared her former GMA-7 co-star to "prove her worth."

Jennylyn previously commented that she would rather severe ties with Becky than face the prospect of GMA-7 dumping her. With a fiery tone, Jennylyn also noted she had not spoken to Angel since the US theatrical premiere of the Angel-Becky production "Angels" in early July. Jennylyn was a lead star in that film. On July 20, Becky announced that Angel was not renewing her contract with GMA-7, the television network that built her successful showbiz career from scratch. A few weeks later, Becky confirmed Angel was transferring to ABS-CBN as an exclusive talent. Angel signed with ABS-CBN in mid-August.

Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin in 'The Promise'

The beautiful onscreen tandem of Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin will once again hit the movie house in the upcoming flick "The Promise". This movie could be the most daring role of the two, as they portray serious and mature characters.

"(We) took it to the next level," Richard stresses, pertaining to their new role as lovers. He is willing to show some flesh if the movie will require but with limitations. The young actor is still nervous, as the details of their love scenes has not been discussed. The film was patterned from a 1939 American film "Wuthering Heights".

This Valentine's Day presentation of GMA Films features TJ Trinidad and Rhian Ramos

Angel Locsin is No. 1 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2007

Starmometer.com recently initiated a survey on the Most Beautiful Filipina of 2007. Results show that Angel Locsin retains her title as the no. 1 Most Beautiful Pinay. She received 2,155 votes in the Top 30 poll with more than 20,000 respondents.

Angel Locsín (born Angélica Locsín Colmenares on April 23, 1985), is a Filipina television and film actress, commercial model, film producer, fashion designer, and product endorser who was introduced in GMA Network's youth-oriented program, Click. Locsin rose to prominence after being cast as one of the lead stars in the fantasy-themed television series Mulawin in 2004.

I agree with the poll. Though I am not an avid celebrity fan, I find Angel Locsin's beauty enchanting and very Filipina.

Based on same survey, sarah Geronimo is No. 2 Most Beautiful Filipina of 2007. Last year's no. 2 was Kristine Hermosa. Sarah climbed 1 notch this year. She received 1,776 votes in the Top 30 poll.

Angel Locsin in Tears After Break-Up with Oyo Boy Sotto

While most of showbiz is still on vacation or still caught up in the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) fever, Angel Locsin shocked everyone with the announcement that Oyo Boy Sotto and she have broken up.

Days before the New Year's celebration, the teary-eyed young actress confirmed the separation in an interview with Butch Francisco of Startalk on December 28.

Speculations have been rampant as to the cause of what appears to be 2006's last controversial falling out. According to S-Files, there are two possible reasons for the break-up. First, Oyo is allegedly having a relationship with Enteng Kabisote 3 co-star Bing Loyzaga. Both have also worked in "Txt", which also starred Angel. Second, Angel's ties with Asian Treasures co-star Robin Padilla.According to a PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) contributor, the real reason for the break-up is lack of time for each other, especially Angel. The young actress has been frequently traveling for her new show with Robin, GMA-7's Asian Treasures.

The PEP contributor also negates that Angel was hospitalized for depression. The Mano Po 5 star was apparently confined in the hospital after eating too much seafood. Angel's former manager, Becky Aguila—whom she had a falling out with months ago, was said to have visited the young actress.

With only two weeks left before the Asian Treasures television premiere, showbiz insiders are saying Angel's break-up with Oyo spells trouble.

The show's male lead, Robin, is known for being overly gracious to his leading ladies. Just coming from a relationship, Angel might just be vulnerable to her co-actor's charms.

In any film or television outfit, it is not recommendable to have leads developing a relationship. More often than not, the shooting of the scenes is at the mercy of the lovers' tempers. In this instance, a boyfriend for Angel means a security blanket for the production.

As of press time, Angel and Oyo have yet to divulge any more information about the issue.

As most young loves go, hopefully, the two are just taking some time off from each other.

Angel Locsin is newest star producer

In the local movie industry, not a few actors tried their hands in producing movies. There was Amalia Fuentes with AM Productions, Fernando Poe Jr., with FPJ Productions, Dolphy and his RVQ Productions, among many others.

Yet, not everyone who went into production became as successful as these three. And not a few regretted having lost their shirt and ended up being deep in debt.

Now, Angel Locsin has decided to go into producing movies. No, she's not going solo in it but in partnership with her longtime manager Becky Aguila. Together, they formed Eagle Eye Entertainment Productions Inc. and Angels is the company's first major venture.

The movie, a trilogy, is opening today in theaters across the archipelago.

Angel stars in the first story titled "Angel of Mine," which Gina Alajar directed from the screenplay by TV tearjerker writer Gina Marissa Tagasa.

Interestingly, Angel plays a feisty police reporter who also becomes a surrogate mother to an orphaned girl, the daughter of her yaya (wet nurse).

Last Monday, the movie was premiered to a cheering crowd of fans at SM Megamall Cinema 10. Unfortunately, Angel Locsin couldn't leave the set of a movie she is shooting for another movie production. Her fans were disappointed, but Jennylyn Mercado's fans were in their elements shrieking each time the name of their favorite star was mentioned during the pre-screening short program.

Jennylyn and Patrick star in the second story called "Angel of Love" where the two lovebirds play their real selves. In contrast to the more melodramatic "Angel of Mine," this is lighter in treatment. TV director Mark Reyes helmed the second of the trilogy from, again, Gina Marissa Tagasa's screenplay.

Marvin Agustin, rumored suitor of Angel, was at the premiere by his lonesome. He stars in the third story titled "Daddy's Angel." The former Kapamilya star whose career gets a second wind after hopping over to the Kapuso lot, plays a paroled convict who comes home after eight years in jail. His wife was gang raped on the day of their wedding and in his rage killed one of the rapists. While in jail, his wife gave birth to a son by one of the rapists. His mother adopted the son believing it is his son's child. But to the ex-convict it is no more than a painful reminder of the tragedy that befell their lives. Dingdong Dantes wears a different hat this time, as director.

Angels is a clever decision between Angel Locsin and Becky Aguila. Apart from the fact that the stories are shorter than the usual full-length feature films, the time limitation has made the writers and directors become more effective storytellers. I now know the handicap of the Filipino filmmaker. A full-length feature makes them lose focus, injecting unnecessary sub-plots (or back stories as they are called now) and populating the movies with extraneous (useless) characters, like a comedian if only to give the material some kind of a comic relief when in fact the plot can move on without them. That is the reason I can't (even if I try hard) sit through a Tagalog movie without getting bored, angry, or irritated. Tagasa is an experienced TV writer, trained when TV dramas were limited to three settings—sala, bedroom, and dining room. But of course, she has yet to shed the talkiness of her materials and make the images speak for themselves. Oh, I think that's the work of the director to see through the screenplay and order some revisions to make the materials more than a TV drama but something for the big screens with digital surround sound.