Richard Gutierrez opens up about fatherhood

By ANN CHARMAINE AQUINO

PHOTO BY BOCHIC ESTRADA

Richard Gutierrez is still in cloud nine after he declared that he is a proud father to Baby Zion. He finally got the chance to talk about his new life as a doting dad at the pocket presscon of his new movie, Overtime, on June 11 at Victorino's Restaurant, Quezon City.

 

Richard said that he is happy now that he can share more details about Baby Zion. "Sobrang sarap, can you imagine what I went through last year. I mean having a kid, and I can't even share it. It's really tough times," he said.

 

During those times Richard and Sarah spent some time apart from each other.

 

"Naiwan siya sa Geneva [Switzerland]. Tapos when Sarah gave birth I was there. Nagkataon na pinayagan akong umalis ng five days, on the third day nanganak si Sarah. So after two days, I have to go back. So two days ko lang nakasama ang baby ko. After that, I think one more month bago ako nakabalik. I mean it was tough and not being able to share it. I only get to share it with my family. So I'm very thankful for my family because what I went [through] wasn't quite easy. So now, ‘eto yung kapalit."

 

"Sabi ko kay Sarah, during those times na we were struggling, na it's only going to get better from this point on. And what we realized is that when things are starting to fall apart, it's actually falling into place. So, that's what we realized. Ang sarap ng feeling na finally we are able to share Baby Zion to the world," he added. 

 

Richard said that the announcement of Baby Zion happened at the right time.

"We didn't want it to be a media circus kasi nga baka ma-stress out si Sarah during the pregnancy. We didn't want complications. I want it to be stress-free, smooth lang ‘yung pregnancy niya. So I think now is the perfect timing."

 

He added, "[It was actually] long overdue, parang at last! I really thought na medyo ma-shock ang mga tao. Pero feeling ko rin, kami ni Sarah, na alam na rin ng mga tao. It was just a matter of confirming it."

 

A lot of people were asking if Baby Zion will eventually venture into show business and Richard answered, "After he becomes an Olympic Athlete."

 

Richard shared that Zion's name came out of a deal with Sarah. He said, "Kapag babae, siya ang pipili ng name, 'pag lalake, ako. Pero nag-agree pa rin kaming dalawa [sa name ni Zion]. I don't know parang the name Zion, it's different, and it's a biblical name, the holy Mt. Zion."

 

As a father, Richard said that Baby Zion made him a homebody. 

 

"I just spend more time at home. I love spending time at home now. Bihira na ako lumabas, palagi na akong hinahanap ng mga kaibigan ko, [tinatanong nila] saan ako nagpunta, pero nasa bahay lang ako lagi," he jested.

 

Richard also learned a lot of things when Baby Zion came into his life.

 

“Ang sarap kasi natutunan ko lahat, as in magpalit ng diapers niya. Noong simula si Sarah lang. Tapos sabi, 'kailangan matuto ka na din, kasi pag natutulog ako.' So sige aralin ko, tinuruan niya ako.”

 

He added, “Sobrang unexpected na nagulat din ako sa sarili ko na nagawa ko ‘yun kasi may phobia ako sa babies before. Feeling ko mahuhulog.”

 

According to Richard, everything felt different now that he is a hands-on daddy to Zion.

                                 
“When it's your kid, it just feels natural na alagaan mo, nurture your baby, ang sarap ng pakiramdam,” he concluded.