In the famed love story of Anabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez, there is a reason the feisty mother of six took the initiative to woo the 60’s matinee idol. Kasi naman, he must have been the handsomest actor during his time and even today, at 65, Eddie is still the dashing looker.

In fact, looking at the Gutierrez brood, it’s easy to see where the kids got their artistahin features. Anyone who watches Richard Gutierrez still sees the young Eddie in him. Down to the many girls linked to the young star. Eddie’s enduring screen partner was Susan Roces but in real life, he was considered a playboy and romanced actress Liza Lorena (with whom he had a son, Tonton) and Pilita Corrales (Ramon Christopher was their son) among many others.

But the veteran actor has been fine-tuned by life’s trials and tribulations, from losing his career in the late 70’s, building his “kaldero empire” by selling pots and pans from door-to-door while in the U.S., returning to the Philippines and starting their Royal ERA Productions (and getting charged tax evasion by the BIR), to weathering his daughter Ruffa’s very controversial rift with ex-husband Yilmaz. And throughout everything, he dealt with the ups and downs with much grace and moderation, unlike the fierce demeanor of his wife.

Today, he usually appears either as a rich but villainous old man, or as a mild-mannered father of one of the characters. His latest work was in the recently-concluded GMA afternoon soap, Pati Ba Pintig Ng Puso, which starred Yasmien Kurdi and JC de Vera.