He’s the very strict and serious Papa Chen in the former TV series ‘Binondo Girl’. The said role with such fatherly appeal catapulted him to be next in-demand leading man in Philippine television as he assumed the character of Richard Lim (popularly known as Sir Chief), the owner of an airline company in the hit daytime series ‘Be Careful with My Heart’. Because of the charms his charcater, he gained millions of followers across the globe.
In the film by Chris Martinez, titled–YOU’RE STILL THE ONE , his chemistry with Maja Salvador will be tested. However, Yap makes sure that his tandem with Salvador will work and as an actor he will give justice to the role assigned to him.
Richard portrays the character of Vincent, a lawyer who falls in love with a much younger woman named Ellise (Maja) . The film is showing on May 27.
In a recent bloggers’ conference held at Star Cinema conference room, Richard shed light about his character. During the Q and A, he shared some love advices. Apart from that, the forty-ish actor amused the bloggers who attended the said intimate gathering with his pa-cute pose and his brand of humor on the side.
He succeeded in breaking away from his ‘serious’ and more formal image (which he channeled as Papa Chen back then) and filled the silent room with laughter.
Here are some interesting stuff that the actor shared:
What He loves the most about your character?
He was quick to defend and pointed out the strength of his role, “Si Vincent dito ay isang ambitious person. Sobrang bait na tinulungan niya si Ellise.”
His thoughts on May-December love affair between Ellise and Vincent.
“It depends on the situation. If you are both single and it’s the right time, I don’t think age is a hindrance to a relationship. I’ve seen lots of relationships that lasted for a long time kahit yung age gap, malaki. Meron din namang magka-age pero naghihiwalay kaagad. It really depends on the personality of both people.”
While filming, even if he didn’t have that much opportunity to spend more time with his co-star Maja due to limited time, still he has learned one thing about women and that is—women are more emotional and men are more of a thinking type.
He added, “Men will think first if the relationship they are fighting for is worth it or not.”
He was firm in his response to the hypothetical question—if is he ready to ditch his wife if someone better comes along; and it was a big NO for him. It is not even an option at this stage of his life since he is happily married to his wife–Melody.
He stressed, “Nung mag boyfriend-girlfriend pa lang kami ng wife ko, nag-cool off kami pero sinabi ko sa sarli ko na kapag nagkabalikan kami, yun na yun. She’s the one!”
What will the people learn from his latest film?
“Destiny plays a part to your relationship. Somebody may come to your life, but maybe for some reason to make you realize something else. People come and go into your life for a reason.”
Is he the type who invests in love just to be loved back?
“I think love is a two-way thing. You have to love each other… It has to be a mutual decision, a mutual feeling.”
His Advice to People Looking for the‘One’
“Keep on looking for the ‘One’. Kasi yung iba, they go into a relationship kasi may makukuha sila or may benefit silang nakukuha like natutulungan sila. But if it is not real love, if it is not right in terms of love or morality, it’s not the right one.
“Kasi kung hindi, magkakaroon ng problema ang relationship ninyo.”
