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Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati travel the world

Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati are proud parents of baby Zion/NPPA Images

Richard Gutierrez and girlfriend Sarah Lahbati showed up at the Esquire Ball in what could be their first public appearance after traveling to the United States and Switzerland.
 
Speaking to Yahoo Philippines OMG! at the Ball, Richard said he missed the city ever since he took a long break from showbiz in June.

“It's good to be back in Manila. We were able to get some rest and now I'm actually feeling good and feeling that fire again.”

After his 11 years of being a Kapuso ended on May 28 this year, the 29-year-old actor has traveled the world with his best vacation buddy, his girlfriend, no less.
 
“I can say I lived a full career in GMA Network and I think now is the right time for me to step back, assess myself, see where I want to be, and let's see. I'm not closing my doors for anything and now is the perfect time for me to take actually a long break," he said at the June presscon of “My Lady Boss,” his last movie project before taking a hiatus.
 
No ‘studying vacation’
 
It will be recalled that Richard said he’ll be on study vacation to take up Filmmaking.  But he changed his mind and chose to  devote his time to rest and recreation instead.

“We were able to travel and relax and unwind. Spend quality time with each other and with our family.”
 
Richard added that travel allows him and Sarah to know each other more.

“I think travelling is good for everyone. It's good to open the mind to see different cultures, different places.”

Traveling with Richard made Sarah realize what a big adventurer her boyfriend is. Richard feels the same way about his girlfriend.

“She's an adventurer herself. We found out na wala rin siyang takot sa kahit ano. She's game for anything like me.”

What’s the next stop for this travel-loving couple?
 
“A lot of places. Definitely one is Africa but for now we're heading back to LA soon and then we're going back to Switzerland,” Richard said.
 
The two also shared that they’ll be abroad for Christmas.

Baby, legal issues
 
Jet-setting allowed the lovebirds to set aside issues hounding them in the Philippines. The couple has remained mum on reports that  Sarah gave birth in her native Switzerland last April.
 
In a an interview for his Regal movie with Sarah last January, Richard said he can’t understand why the baby issue has become a cause for concern.
 
“I don’t see the point why it became a big deal. Parang may nagkalat na lang bigla ng issue. All of a sudden, people are asking me that. Wala naman dapat pag-usapan na ganon.”
 
At that time, his 20-year-old girlfriend was a no-show because she fled to her hometown amid a libel case GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar filed against her.

The lawsuit stemmed from Sarah’s accusation that Abrogar meddled with “questionable talent deals” early this year.
 
Six months after leaving the country, Sarah went back in July to post bail from the libel charges. This prevented her from getting arrested after a warrant was issued against her in May.
 
Her arraignment, set August 22, was deferred after Sarah left the country.