Richard Gutierrez of Lupin will visit Hollywood and the set of Sigaw's remake

Richard Gutierrez can't help but feel extremely proud that Hollywood is doing its own version of Sigaw, ang first and only horror film na pinagtambalan nila ng favorite screen loveteam niyang si Angel Locsin in 2004.

The Echo ang magiging title ng Hollywood remake ng Sigaw, to be produced by Vertigo Entertainment na nag-produce ng US versions ng The Ring and The Grudge film series at co-producer ng 2007 Oscar best picture-winner na The Departed.

Ang Hollywood actor na si Jesse Bradford ang napiling gumanap as the male lead, the role originally played by Richard.

Nakilala si Bradford sa mga pelikulang Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Swimfan (2002), Clockstoppers (2002), Bring It On (2000), among others.

The Echo will mark the Hollywood debut of Filipino director Yam Laranas.

"Yes, they're doing the remake of Sigaw and Direk Yam is the only Filipino in the team," masayang pahayag ni Richard sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

"I'm very, very proud of that movie at pinanood nila ‘yung original version, so sobrang saya ko talaga!

"Bibisitahin ko sila while filming the movie. In October, pupunta ako ng LA [Los Angeles, California]. Sa LA muna kasi sila magsu-shoot, tapos lilipat sila sa Vancouver [Canada].

"I'll visit them in LA, mami-meet ko silang lahat at makikita ko how they make movies in Hollywood. Magka-text kami ni Direk Yam at in-invite niya ako to visit them.

"Tapos, sabi niya, ii-introduce niya raw ako sa mga agents doon, sa mga representatives sa Hollywood," masayang kuwento ng young actor.

Sobrang bilib si Richard sa kanyang Sigaw director dahil nagawa nitong ma-penetrate ang Hollywood because of their critically acclaimed horror thriller.

"First time ‘yon na ni-remake ang isang Filipino movie sa Hollywood and I'm very proud and very happy," sambit ng ecstatic na si Richard.

"Actually, ang galing ni Direk Yam! ‘Yun ang last movie niya, tapos tinanong ko siya, ‘Direk, kailan ka ulit gagawa ng pelikula?' Sabi niya, ‘Chard, hindi ako ulit gagawa ng pelikula hangga't hindi ko nagagawa ang remake ng Sigaw.'

"True enough, talagang trinabaho niya. Nag-stay siya roon, he was based in LA for a long time. Tapos ngayon, gagawin na nga niya ‘yung remake."

Excited si Richard na dalawin ang set ng The Echo. Mas maganda raw kung mapapansin siya ng producers nito at hihilingan siya to make a cameo appearance in the movie. Wish din niyang siya pa rin ang kuning bida sa next film project na gagawin ni Direk Yam dito sa Pilipinas.

GREENPEACE. Nakausap ng PEP si Richard sa press launch ng "Simple Lang" campaign ng Greenpeace held at the Conspiracy bar in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, last Saturday night, July 7.

Nai-share ni Richard sa PEP ang story behind his involvement with Greenpeace at kung paano siya napapayag na maging spokesperson ng nasabing environmental group.

"In the beginning of this year, I really wanted to have a movement. I wanted to do something to make a difference. I was really in search for something," kuwento ng Lupin heartthrob.

"Like before, I did na with the kids, the orphans. I did all of that already and it felt good. But I wanted to make a movement talaga that I will pioneer.

"So, after watching [the documentary film] An Inconvenient Truth by [former US Vice President] Al Gore, I was inspired to research more and to learn more about the environment.

"I did my own research dito sa Philippines, kung ano ba ‘yung mga grupo rito ng environmental activists, ano ba ‘yung mga nangyayari at concerns natin dito sa Pilipinas, and doon ko nahanap ang Greenpeace.

"May nagsabi sa akin na Greenpeace is the best, kasi it's an international group at marami siyang affiliations with different countries.

"Greenpeace is a non-profit organization na ang main concern is the environment. It's a group of experts and pioneers that promotes non-violent direct action against environmental abuse and destruction.

"Ako mismo ‘yung nag-email at tumawag sa kanila. Sabi ko, ‘I wanted to be part of it, how do I start?' I just recently joined, mga a month-and-a-half ago lang. Pero nag-research muna ako at nagbasa, kasi if I wanna devote myself into this, I wanna have enough knowledge about it.

"And then, tuluy-tuloy ‘yon, parang nag-domino effect na. Ako kasi, pag naging passionate ako sa isang bagay, I really dedicate myself to it.

"Right now, I'm still talking with Greenpeace kung anong mga puwede naming gawin. Pero I'm very committed. I've approached GMA-7 and Bench to help me out and they're all willing to help out naman. So, it's gonna be a big movement.

"Towards the end of the year, we're gonna have another campaign for water naman. Kasi, water is gonna be a big issue within the next five years, so isa ‘yon sa mga target namin," sabi pa ni Richard.

Ang "Simple Lang" project is an energy-consciousness campaign to address climate change in the Philippines. Ang three simple acts that everyone can do are 1. "switch off" (lights and other appliances that are not in use), 2. "unplug" (electrical outlets to conserve energy), and 3. "use energy-efficient lighting" (called CFL or compact fluorescent lightbulbs and LED or light emitting diodes instead of incandescent bulbs).

"That is how we can make a difference with climate change as Filipinos. So, nakatipid ka na, nakatulong ka pa sa environment, naging energy-conscious ka pa," dayalog ni Richard, who sounded like a true-blooded Greenpeace spokesperson.

International stars known for their environmental advocacy include Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and Cameron Diaz.

Katuwiran ni Richard, kung kaya ng foreign artists na maging involved sa ganitong worthy cause ay kaya rin natin.

According to him, marami nang local stars ang nauna sa kanya sa laban na ito, like Amanda Griffin, Juddah Paolo, and longtime eco-activists Chin Chin Gutierrez, Roy Alvarez, and Angel Aquino.

Sa Greenpeace event ni Richard sa Conspiracy bar ay na-surprise siya sa pagdating ng idol niyang si Cesar Montano, who congratulated him for his selfless endeavor.

Nagbigay rin ng suporta kay Richard sina Iza Calzado, Boy2 Quizon, his twin brother Raymond Gutierrez; and his girlfriend, model Georgina Wilson, who came with her equally pretty, younger sister Jessica Wilson. Humabol din that night ang parents ni Richard na sina Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez.
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