After seven years away from the big screen, actor-turned-congressman Richard Gomez is finally back in front of the camera for his comeback film ‘Salvageland’ — and he admits, the transition wasn’t easy.
At the film’s grand press conference held on October 28 at Fishermall Cinema, the Leyte 4th District Representative candidly shared how he struggled to adjust to acting again after years in public service.
“Yung first two days ko, sabi ko kay Pia, yung manager ko, ‘Pia, kailangan kong mag-warm up kasi ang tagal kong hindi nag-artista,’” Gomez said. “Alam mo ‘yung trabaho namin, we memorize pages and pages of lines, and I haven’t done that in a long time. So, yung first two days ko, parang hirap na hirap akong mag-memorize. Until nakuha ko uli ‘yung routine.”
The last time Goma appeared in a movie was in 2018’s ‘Three Words to Forever’ with Sharon Cuneta and Kathryn Bernardo. Since then, he has devoted his time to politics — first as Ormoc City mayor and now as a lawmaker — making Salvageland his first return to the craft that launched his career.
Despite the initial adjustment, Richard said the experience reignited his passion for filmmaking: “I really have to go through the whole script, then re-read, re-read. Then I was acting alone. I was doing my lines. Okay naman,” he said with a smile.
In ‘Salvageland’, Richard plays a veteran cop nearing retirement, opposite Elijah Canlas, who portrays his son — a young policeman still learning the ropes.
“My character is a policeman about to retire. Dalawa yung istorya namin dito actually. Anak ko si Elijah, siya naman ‘yung budding policeman,” he explained.
The neo-western crime thriller, directed by Lino Cayetano, follows a father-and-son duo caught in a dangerous manhunt that tests their morals and beliefs. The film also stars Mon Confiado, Cindy Miranda, McCoy de Leon, and Angela Morena, and is a Viva Films and Rein Entertainment collaboration.
Cayetano praised Gomez’s professionalism and commitment to his craft: “It’s rare to work with an icon like Richard Gomez. He really immersed himself in his role, shedding his leading-man image to portray a weathered policeman with depth and conviction,” the director said.
During the press event, an emotional Gomez also reflected on returning to showbiz after focusing on public service for years.
“Na-miss ko talaga kayo. Naiiyak ako. Na-miss ko lang kayo,” he told the entertainment press. “Masarap bumalik sa home turf. Iba talaga kapag nasa harap ka ng kamera.”
He admitted that while politics fulfills his desire to serve, acting will always feel like “home.”
“Naging politician lang ako dahil sa pag-aartista ko,” he said. “Kung ano ‘yung mga magagandang nagagawa ko ngayon, the people know that because I started as an actor.”
‘Salvageland’ opens in cinemas nationwide on November 26, 2025, marking Richard Gomez’s triumphant return to the big screen — a reminder that the heart of the artist never fades, even after years in public service.
