By Tom Choy
North Vancouver, British Columbia -Filipinos living and working in Canada continue to have a blast as the 2018 Philippine Days Festival is held in Vancouver June 11 and 12.
Four thousand fans watched a concert on Day 2 of the festival at the Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, with Filipino artist Richard Gutierrez, Supremo in theABS- CBN teleseries La Luna Sangre(The Blood Moon) .
MV Paces, a non-profit organization, organized this this event. This group is led by the President Beth Cabal and the ever supportive community leader Alvin Koh Relleve. They have been organizing this event year in and year out for the last over 10 years.” Last year, we donated funds to build housing for the poor in the Philippines through Gawad Kalinga,” declares President Beth Cabal.
“This year we are looking for beneficiaries to assist,” says Kuya Alvin. Ever since the very first North Vancouver Independence Day festivities, Kuya Alvin was always there to lead and help. We asked him if he wants to run for public office, he answered, “It is not for me.” He said “ Iam happy just serving the community.” Kuya Alvin is in the car business (Kia brand). While Beth is a businesswoman. She does this event for charity and the love of her community.
Some of this year’s Philippine Day sponsors were TFC, SMDC (Shoemart Real Estate Arm), CIBC, PAL, KIA, LBC, AGF and City of North Vncouver.
Gutierrez has been in show business in the Philippines since he was a kid together with his brother Raymond. He was also in Mulawin Vs. Ravena in GMA Network production. 1n 2017. In the same year, Chard is the star of La Luna Sangre (The Blood Moon), a horror fantasy flick under the Kapamilya (ABS CBN) network. He plays Supremo. The comedian-emcee, Eric Nicolas introduced him as Supremo. Eric has lots of adoring fans in Vancouver too. He was hilarious and made everyone laugh tremendously.
Gutierrez was born in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, USA. His parents are famous actor Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama. He is married to Sarah Labati and have two children Zion and Kai.
Chard told his fans “ Stay tuned for my next movie.” It will be released towards the end of the year. We expect to see Richard again in 2019 and beyond. Just like another actor Derek Ramsay who was a mainstay in Fi-Canadians’ Pinoy Fiestas several times in the past.