Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez remember ‘90s rivalry as heartthrobs

MANILA, Philippines — In the ‘90s, if Hollywood had the likes of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Richard Gere and Christian Slater, in the Philippines, Aga Muhlach and Richard Gomez led the pack when it came to dreamboats and hunks.

Much like being a “Transformers” fan and torn between the Autobots and the Decepticons, or as a “Star Wars” fanatic asked to choose a side between the Rebels and the Empire, in the ‘90s, Filipinas were split between the tall, dark and handsome Richard or “Goma” and the “mestizo” or fair-skinned and dimpled Aga.

Aga admitted being pressured, and “it’s still ongoing,” he said, for being paired with Gomez for the first time in ad campaign at their recent launch as Century Tuna ambassadors in Taguig City.

“Masaya ako na for the first time ever, nakasama ko si Richard sa isang ad. Maybe in the ‘90s, you know, he had this own world and I have my own, so masayang masaya ako na nakasama ko si Richard,” Muhlach affirmed.

“This is really challenge that was given to us essentially… we have to lose weight, and it was not easy, but it was fun,” added Richard.

Related: Richard Gomez, Aga Muhlach reach dream to become ‘Superbods’ in their 50s

According to Aga, despite being pitted against each other in the ‘90s, everything has always been good between him and Richard. The two recalled their first time working together, for a Regal film in the ‘80s, before they led separate careers.

“Kung baga, mga ‘Those Days’ napkin pa ‘yun,” Aga quipped. “Kasi may prime kami. ‘90s naging prime namin. Nu’ng prime namin, naghiwalay na kami, parang ganyan ang storya n’yan, ‘di ba? May Richard Gomez ka – meron kang tall, dark and handsome – ‘yan, hunky! Ako, ‘yun lang. Two different brands…”

Despite competing in TV ratings and in the box office often, the two only had the best words for each other.

“He’s really a nice guy,” Richard said of Aga, “Aga is one of the pinakamabait na tao, he really is… He’s really one of the best guys in the industry! Ganyan ako kasigurado dito!”

Aga, in turn, professed that he had been Goma’s “fanboy” since then.

“He doesn’t know this, but he has always been an inspiration sa’kin sa pagiging artista ko nu’ng ‘90s, his prime, tinitignan ko