They've got GUTZ

Move over Kardashian-Jenner clan. The Gutierrez family from the Philippines want a slice of the reality TV pie.

For seven years, the Kardashians have offered viewers glimpses into their internal squabbles, rocky love lives and family drama through nine seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and several spin-off series on E!.

Now, the Filipino clan want to do the same on their own E! reality TV series called It Takes GUTZ To Be A Gutierrez.

The six-episode show premieres here on June 1 at 9pm on E! (StarHub TV Ch 441).

It will star one of the Philippines' most prominent showbiz families, comprising father Eddie Gutierrez, a veteran actor; mother Annabelle Rama, a talent manager; their twin sons, actor-host Richard and actor-fashion editor-club owner Raymond; daughter Ruffa, a former beauty queen turned actress-host; and three other sons - Rocky, Elvis and Ritchie Paul.

Ruffa's two daughters with her Turkish businessman ex-husband and Richard's Filipino-Moroccan actress-model girlfriend Sarah Lahbati will also make appearances.

It is easy to see why they have earned frequent comparisons to the Kardashian-Jenner brood.

The Gutierrez family has gripping drama of their own brewing in the household which features in the unscripted show.

For one, in the premier, Richard, 30, will address rumours of a child with Lahbati.

During an interview yesterday, he said: "I give value to my privacy since we grew up in the spotlight in the Philippines. Now that we are doing this show, I'm opening up my life to the public."

Richard was in town with his siblings Ruffa and Raymond to promote the show and were also guests at a music, social media and digital entertainment industry event, All That Matters.

Raymond and Ruffa will also have their share of personal matters to reveal.

"The show will give a better understanding of what I do... I will also tackle my weight issues," said Raymond, who says he used to be "super obese".

For Ruffa, who is in her 30s, her relationship history will come to the forefront.

EMOTIONS GALORE

The siblings also promised an essential reality TV ingredient - explosive fights. They even revealed that they get into frequent disagreements with their mother.

Said Raymond: "My mum is a strong character with a strong personality, so she calls herself the boss of the household. Sometimes she forgets how old we are and thinks we are kids."

Ruffa said that Annabelle can be vocal about her daughter's love life.

"I have to remind her, 'I know what I'm doing, I'm of age, I'm already separated'.

"I guess mums will always be mums," Ruffa said.

While they might already sound like the Asian version of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, it is a comparison they hope to stay away from.

Raymond added: "We can't escape the comparison but the difference is we have certain values, different upbringing and personalities.

"We're just similar in that we're all fun-loving."

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I give value to my privacy since we grew up in the spotlight... Now that we are doing this show, I'm opening up my life to the public.


- Filipino actor-host Richard Gutierrez on opening up in new reality TV show, It Takes GUTZ To Be A Gutierrez