KAPAMILYA for nine years, Richard Yap has a change of heart and is now a Kapuso. The 53-year-old actor signed a contract with GMA Artist Center in, December 16.
Before Richard's contract signing, GMA Artist Center posted a teaser that read: "aRe You ready to meet our newest Kapuso?" The letters R and Y, both in capital letters, were accompanied by a blurred photo of a male artist.
In early 2019, there were blind items about Richard's plan to move to GMA-7 after the general elections last May 13, 2019. In June 2019, ABS-CBN's afternoon series Kadenang Ginto launched a teaser for its third season, which revealed Richard's participation in the show. For the new season of Kadenang Ginto, Richard said about the network-transfer rumor: "Tsismis lang iyon." On July 11, 2020, Richard appeared as a guest in GMA-7 and TAPE, Inc.'s noontime-variety show Eat Bulaga! via its segment "Bawal Judgmental."
Richard, who started as a commercial model, started his acting career via ABS-CBN's 2011 drama series, My Binondo Girl. He played the father of Kim Chiu's character. Next, he did a guest role in the primetime series Walang Hanggan. He was supposed to be part of Kris Aquino's teleserye Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw, but instead, he was chosen to portray Jodi Sta. Maria's partner in the daytime series Be Careful With My Heart in July 2012.
Originally intended to run for only 13 weeks, the series registered high ratings that Richard was pulled out of Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw at the same time that Be Careful With My Heart was extended to run until November 2014. The success of Be Careful With My Heart crowned Jodi and Richard as ABS-CBN's Daytime Queen and King.
Other projects that Richard did for ABS-CBN were: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015), Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita (2015), My Super D, (2016), and Sana Dalawa Ang Puso (2018). He also did movies produced by ABS-CBN Films's Star Cinema: Past Tense (2014), Praybeyt Benjamin 2 (2014), You're Still The One (2015), and The Achy Breaky Hearts (2016).
***
Former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder Gazini Ganados flew to Bantayan Island on November 28 to visit some of its tourist spots, including the Saints Peter and Paul Church and Virgin Island. Now, it is easier for her to visit the island since Cebu has finally opened its newest commercial airport on the island called Bantayan Island Airport.
The Cebuana beauty queen was among the special guests invited by the local government for its "Mini Suroy Suroy" last November 28, 2020, to promote local tourism on the island. "Suroy-suroy" is the Bisaya word for "to stroll or to walk." She was able to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, including the Saints Peter and Paul Church in the town of Santa Fe. Gazini shared her experience visiting the church in a post on Instagram last November 29.
The former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder wrote (published as is), "Grateful to have been given the chance to visit one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
"I'm truly amazed by its historical structure, skillfully crafted architecture and-well-preserved antiquity. Bear with me in the next few days as I share with you the 'must-see' destinations in the Island of Bantayan."
Saints Peter and Paul Church is the oldest parish in Cebu and was founded by the Augustinian Missionaries on June 11, 1580. The original church was actually destroyed twice, in 1628 and in 1711, by Moro pirates. The present church was constructed in 1834, under the leadership of Fr. Doroteo Andrada del Rosario of Iloilo. It was only finished in 1863, almost three decades since it was first built.
A self-proclaimed "mermaid," Gazini also loves to go to Virgin Island, a privately-owned island resort on Bantayan Island. In an Instagram post on November 30, Monday, she wrote, "There's no better way to spend a day in paradise than to swim your way down the clear waters and witness the wide array of sea creatures and wildlife in our oceans. I swear I was a mermaid in my past life!"
Virgin Island is also located in the town of Santa Fe, but it takes visitors a 30-minute boat ride to reach this island paradise. The island resort is known for its pristine white beach and crystal clear waters. Visitors must pay an entrance fee of P500 for two people. The resort charges an additional P100 for every excess person. The price range of open huts is from P300 to P1,500. Aircon cottages are also available for overnight stays which are priced from P3,000 to P7,000.