“THOUGH their current situation is dark, their lives are so colorful. There are so much stories to tell -- stories about hope, strength, and getting by each day with disability.”
This is just one of the many realizations of Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards as he takes on the role of a blind person for the hit Kapuso primetime series The Gift, an inspirational drama showing a glimmer of hope shining through in the midst of darkness.
More than a month after the airing of his newest soap with GMA Network, Richards along with other cast shares their The Gift journey with the Bacoldonons and Negrenses.
The actor, in a press conference prior to their Kapuso Mall Show at Robinsons Place Bacolod on Friday, October 18, said they feel and care for the blind people like his character Sep, a visually-impaired vendor who will be blessed with the gift of perceiving past and future events.
Richards said playing such role enabled him to know the journey, to know the feeling, of losing eyesight. “In a way, we are living their lives on screen.”
“The blindness aspect is just a representation of disability, life does not stop there. This is the message that we want to send to the viewers,” he said, adding that “despite the disability, we can still carry on our life, we can still do something and contribute to society.”
The Gift is here for our fellow Filipinos especially the blind, Richards exclaimed.
When pressed about what he wanted to see or discover in his past and future, the 27-year-old actor said he wants to go back to the time when his mother was still alive. “It could be the greatest gift ever,” he shared.
Richards, however, is not a “fan” of the future [fortune telling] as he believes that what makes life exciting is dreaming for something and working hard for it.
The Kapuso actor is now considered as one of the most sought-after actors in the Philippine show business today. He has been receiving recognitions both in and out of the country.
Being in the industry for a decade now, Richards continues to reap success and receive blessings. The latest was his blockbuster movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye” with Kathryn Bernardo. It broke the record of being the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.
The actor attributed all these blessings to having good intentions and work ethics.
“You’re not doing this job because you want to be powerful in terms of wealth, not to step on other people, or replace someone in the pedestal,” Richards said.
It’s really having good intentions and praying for the blessings, he said, sharing that “personally, if I want something to happen, I pray and work hard for it.”
“I am really blessed because I am a prayerful person, my faith is my foundation and strength,” the actor added.
Richards was joined by Martin del Rosario, Mikee Quintos, Mikoy Morales and Rochelle Pangilingan in treating thousands of Bacolodnon and Negrense fans to a more colorful and exciting 40th MassKara Festival celebration.