Now that he has branched out to doing movies, Richard said he is open to doing different roles, even becoming a kontrabida. “It depends kung anong offer. Kasi hindi naman puwedeng magpipilit ako na sumali kung walang offer (laughs). Kung maganda naman yung role yes of course. We're here to take on challenges and to learn naman,” he said.
The 47-year-old actor admitted he has come a long way from his four years in showbiz. “I learned a lot from doing the teleseryes before, siyempre nung pumasok ako baguhan lang ako so through experience madami rin akong natutunan sa mga nuances, how to act, sa pagbitaw ng lines. I guess on-the-job training ko rin and it's a continuous process so you can't stop learning. Dito sa The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin is another learning experience for me. Marami akong natutunan kina direk Wenn at Vice at sa kanilang lahat. Si Alex Gonzaga lalo. Ang galing kasi nila magbitaw ng mga linya kahit wala sa script, off the top of their heads they can just come up with something funny. Then na-pe-pressure ako eh. Medyo tahimik lang ako so I'm just trying to learn from them and see how to be a better comedian also. Baka sa sunod I can contribute to the movie,” he added.
A big challenge for the usually serious actor is doing comedy. “Yung role ko kasi dito is I'm a strict general so binabagay ko lang sa character so hindi ako masyado nagpapa-kenkoy. Like pag nagbabato ako ng lines hindi ako tumatawa na pampatawa yung lines. So yun yung take ko on that. You will just have to watch it for yourself. Actually may pagka-alaskador ako talaga sa totoong buhay pero dito masaya talaga siyempre kasi comedy and silang lahat nagbabatuhan ng kanya-kanyang lines. Masaya working with them,” he said.
In the movie, Kris Aquino will play the role of Richard's wife who tries to seduce him but he says they have yet to film that specific scene. “As of now wala pa kaming scenes together so hindi pa naman niya ako na-seduce. Hinihintay ko pa yun (laughs). Ready naman ako,” he admitted.
Working with Kris's youngest son Bimby Yap was also easy according to Richard, “Okay naman siya, he's very nice. Tahimik lang siya. Okay naman yung mga eksena namin. Bimby and Rhed Bautista both very nice kids and masunurin naman sila. Si Rhed is mukhang bihasang artista na. Very professional yan.”
He also admitted that he is in talks for a possible new teleserye next year which is still in the works. Aside from that, Richard is now also considered one of the top celebrity endorsers in the country. “Of course I'm very honored to be one of the top endorsers in the country. I hope to give back sa mga produkto na inendorse ko. I hope I've helped them also. Hindi lang ako lang kumikita, dapat sila, it will help their business also. Malaking tulong talaga sa mga artista yun. I think credibility is important and siguro if you have a following kasi usually yung mga followers mo naman ang bumibili din dun sa mga products na ini-endorse mo. Pero I've been also very lucky kasi yung kasi kahit yung mga ini-endorse ko mahirap abutin ng mga tao, meron pa rin mga tao who have taken the chance to buy the products that I've been endorsing,” he said.
Another thing the chinito actor is looking forward to is taking a well-deserved vacation with his family after promoting the movie. But when it comes to making resolutions, “Sir Chief” is much more pragmatic, “I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I believe in doing better in everything that we do every day.”