Richard Gutierrez

After “Zorro,” a top-rating adventure series which he topbilled, primetime king Richard Gutierrez is back on television but this time as host of “Planet: Philippines,” a GMA News and Public Affairs Environment Special which airs on Sept. 6, at 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Richard goes all over the country to show the Philippines’ most scenic places, including their flora and fauna, some of whom are, sadly, vanishing. He joins the GMA team in climbing mountains and diving under the sea, roughing it up with them in making people aware of the importance of keeping the environment clean and green.

A recipient of the Fr. Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism and the celebrity spokesperson of Green Peace, Richard earlier hosted two other specials for GMA: “Signos” (global warming) and “Full Force” (calamities triggered by nature’s fury).

In all three TV specials, Richard was involved in conceptualization and actual production. Which the GMA team welcomed, seeing how helpful his inputs were.

Richard is currently shooting “Patient X,” directed by Yam Laranas and jointly produced by GMA Films, Viva, and R Gutz, the actor’s newly formed movie company. Richard plays a doctor in “Patient X” opposite Cristine Reyes, a patient with a secret identity. Years back, Laranas directed Richard in “Sigaw,” remade in Hollywood as “The Echo.” Laranas also directed “The Echo.”

“Patient X” is a halloween offering.

Richard’s next soap for GMA after “Zorro” is the Filipino adaptation of the Korean telenovela “Full House.” For a change, he is a “normal guy” in “Full House,” so unlike his mighty-men roles in “Zorro,” “Kamandag,” “Captain Barbell,” “Asero,” “Lupin,” “Sugo,” and “Mulawin.”

Richard urges televiewers to watch “Planet: Philippines” tomorrow, because it’s timely and relevant in this day and age when the country’s environment and natural resources are threatened.

* * *

Jon Santos does a truckload of ‘K’ in his new show

He’s been known as the ultimate “Transformer” long before Optimus Prime. And this Jon Santos will prove once more as he tackles various interesting characters in his new show “Kuring, Gluring, Syerrap at Dyuning: Election is Nearing (For Voter or for Worse).” Expect him to put his trademark irreverent twist to his new characters, among them Kuring, the journalist bride-to-be, Gluring in her Chacha-holic glory, Syerrap in his unmistakable macho swagger; Senator Meeryam and her famous one-liners, Mommy Dyuning, a showbiz newbie and candidate for Mother of the Year, and Katrina Humalili, the daring but camera-shy vixen.

Slated tonight and on Sept. 18 at the Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills, the show is expected to be one grand (political) party that’s definitely “Rated K” – featuring a truckload of “Ks” – Katatawanan, Kantahan, and of course, Kasalan!

At an intimate luncheon gathering with Jon’s friends from the press, he entertained us with an excerpts from his new show, even coming in a corporate attire that’s very Kuring. It isn’t the first time that Jon has spoofed Korina Sanchez. The first time was when she was still in “Hoy, Gising!” Jon said he’s a great fan of Korina. “Did you know that Korina is also a good impersonator?” he asked, “she has done this in her shows.”

In his show, expect the love-struck Kuring to be saying “Mr. Mar Ramdamin, ako’y iyong-iyo.” Yes, the wedding will push through but they’ll be riding instead a tricycle. But will the unexpected change in the political plans of the senator alter the flow of the script? Well, we have to trust Jon and his schoolmate (at UP) Joey Mercado who writes his scripts to rise up to the situation. They’re good at it as always.

Will Gluring be invited to Kuring’s wedding reception? Will Sherrap decline to RSVP because he won’t settle for VP? Will Katrina Humalili be in Marr’s bachelor’s bash, and will she be dancing to “Careless Whisper?” Will Mommy Dyuning be the new dance diva? Will she be the new LV queen (Las Vegas or Louis Vuitton)?

Jon has been doing spoofs since he was 20, and he has definitely become the quintessential quick-change artist – he could morph into just about any character in the wink of an eye. He could be a seductive starlet, a shabby old hag; a bemoustached, cigar-puffing honcho, a checkered evangelist, or a dapper talk show host – and always with that striking resemblance best described as “uncannily bizarre.”

He has impersonated Vilma Santos for the longest time. They’ve also become good friends, communicating every now and then to catch up with developments in their respective lives.

But for most of his illustrious career as stand-up comic and impersonator par excellence, Jon has always been in his best elements in the arena of political satire, with his daring spoofs of some of the country’s most prominent (notorious or otherwise) newsmakers.

And since election time is just around the corner, it’s high time once again for Jon to reacquaint Filipino audiences with his brand of spoof-tacular comedy.

By the way, tickets to the show are available at Ticketworld and Music Museum.

* * *

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Sept. 5 go to Solar Entertainment head Wilson Tieng, Jojo Zabarte, Dr. Amable “King” Aguiluz V, Margie Ongkeko, Princess Anne Timbang, Tessie Amparo, Loretta Galang, Mayen Saporsantos, Eliza Gotico, ex-Gov. Rudy Farinas, Bobby del Rosario, Mona Esguerra, Patricia Panl, Dr. Tranquilino Elicano Jr., and Rep. Gilbert Cesar A. Remulla... Belated b-day greetings to BB Gandanghari (Sept. 4) and Ariel Bongangsino (Sept. 1).