Lupin and his Ladies

“Kasi ang training ko dito, hindi guns, hindi knives - snatching!" Richard spills to iGMA. “‘Yung first training ko was with cards, coins, and magic (tricks), to familiarize myself with the hands, ‘yung slight of hand. Kailangan mabilis ‘yung hands mo, so mayroon na akong alam na konting tricks, pero I still suck! Mahuhuli niyo pa rin mga tricks, kasi hindi pa ako masyadong magaling, prina-practice ko pa sa bahay!" “The Japanese made an anime based on that, and you know, medyo iba ‘yung names, iba ‘yung supporting characters, and it’s much more comedic, much more fantastic," explains Direk Mike Tuviera (The Promise (2007), Atlantika (2006-2007). “We borrowed straight from the source material, not much from the Japanese version," clarifies Direk. “We focused on the French version, then made our own. Adjusted it talaga for Filipino viewers." Richard adds, “Sa anime kasi, parang na-establish doon na sobrang naughty lang ni Lupin. Hindi mo alam kung saan nanggagaling yung motives niya, kung ano inspirations niya sa ginagawa niya. Pero ngayon, nilagyan namin ng back story na more Pinoy." “‘Yung character ko dito, I’m a professional thief, actually, the best!" shares Richard with a laugh. "And then I decide to quit my job as a thief, I want to live a normal life, kasi magkakaroon na ako na family, mapapangasawa ko na dapat girlfriend ko, but the syndicate boss that I work for who is like a father to me said na I can’t quit my job, so doon magsta-start ‘yung conflict nung story." He adds, “We’re still developing the character now as we go on, but more or less, Lupin is witty, funny, and naughty at the same time." When asked if he sees a bit of himself in his new character, Richard grins and replies, “Sometimes!" Three Girls and a Guy Playing opposite Richard Gutierrez is a band of beautiful women, including Katrina Halili, Ehra Madrigal, and Rhian Ramos. “I’m very excited about Lupin, because the character I’m gonna play, Avril, is just gonna be very, very different from Leah (in Captain Barbell (2006-2007)). I play someone who’s very brave, she’s adventurous, tapos she speaks her mind, and she’s proud. And you know, Leah was very shy, she doesn’t really speak her mind, she needs other people to stand up for her. Pero my new character, she’s really gonna kick some ass, you know? Like, she didn’t really look helpless, she had this angas face pa nga, eh! Like, ‘What the hell took you so long?’" Katrina plays Ashley, Lupin’s childhood friend. “Magkakasama kami ni Briggitte, played by Ehra Madrigal. Magkakasama kami sa isang bahay, mga magnanakaw kami. Ako ‘yung sexy na expert ako sa guns. Tapos ako ‘yung palaging nagti-tease ng mga guys, parang kunwari, ako ‘yung gagawa ng way para makapasok kami. Actually, kaming dalawa ni Ehra, parang ganoon." Kat had firing lessons with different kinds of guns, such as a 45 caliber, a 9mm, a shot gun, and even an armalite! “Takot na takot ako nung nagfa-firing ako, hindi ko talaga siya maputok, ang tagal talaga!" Kat admits. “Tapos naiiyak na ako, feeling ko, madi-disappoint sila na parang, iba ‘yung tingin nila sa akin, feeling nila, astig ako, ang tapang ko, feeling nila ganoon. Kontrabida ako, eh, di ba? Hindi ako naiyak, parang feeling ko lang, ano ba ito, madi-dissapoint sila." But Kat eventually got the hang of it within her two-day training at the Arms Corp in Marikina. If Kat is good with guns, Briggitte, portrayed by Ehra Magdrigal, is an expert on hunting knives. Her training included how to juggle the knives and aim them at people. Ehra shares, “Nakakahingal siya, tinuturuan ako na mag-exhibition ng mga knives. Sobra! Naka-sexy outfits kami, pero ‘yung mga ginagawa namin, puro action!" Allure and sex appeal are definitely what she and Kat have in common, especially with their recent covers for men’s magazine FHM. There’s no doubt that they have the right to flaunt every curve they’ve got! Kat says that she and Ehra will be responsible for creating a diversion for their heists. “Siyempre, naka-sexy outfit, and then magpapa-cute lang kami." She explains, “Kunwari, papakita mo legs mo, magse-seduce ka lang. Gusto ko ‘yung character, kasi hindi ka (sobrang) bad, eh! Alam mo ‘yun? Kasi lahat ng role ko (in the past, masama). Mayroong pinupuntahan ‘yung ninanakaw namin. Eto, mabait ako, parang naughty lang talaga." With whom will Kat, Ehra, and Rhian be paired with in the series? “Richard," Kat answers with a smile. “Actually lahat kami super dead kami kay Chard!" On The Set Although Kat and Ehra were both in Majika (2006-2007), they rarely had scenes together. But in Lupin, they’ve started to realize how fun it is to hang out in between takes. “Tawa lang kami nang tawa!" says Ehra about Kat. “Si Chard, (nagkasama kami) sa SOP at Nuts Entertainment. “(It’s the first time I’ll work with) Katrina, but I worked with them before, sa mga guesting. Ngayon lang kami magkakatrabaho na regular basis, so it’s good, ‘cos I know them already, and we’re friends, so okay naman kami sa trabaho," imparts Chard. Kat is excited to work with her new castmates, since it's with a completely different production. “First time ko sila makatrabaho, and ‘yung script namin, super duper nakakaaliw talaga! Lahat ng scene doon, nakakatawa. Sobrang light ng story. Lahat sila bago, pati mga staff, hindi ako familiar masyado, so parang naninibago ako. Pero okay naman (kaming lahat)!" she shares. Other surprises are definitely on their way for this adventure-comedy series, so watch out for more characters (hint: A popular and award-winning actor will portray a pivotal role!), twists (why is Lupin stealing?), and trivia on igma!