RICHARD GOMEZ PROUD TO COMPETE IN SEA GAMES ALONGSIDE DAUGHTER JULIANA

RICHARD GOMEZ IS SET TO SHARE the international sporting stage with his daughter Juliana, as both have qualified to represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

Richard and daughter Juliana are competing together in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Juliana qualified for fencing, while the actor-politician qualified for shotgun (sporting clays) shooting.

The opening ceremony will happen today in Bangkok, Thailand and will be opened by the king of Thailand, Vajiralongkorn.“Actually, nowadays, I’m very happy... because this is the first time a father and daughter — or father and son — will compete together in a major event like the SEA Games. Juliana qualified for fencing, while I qualified for shotgun (sporting clays) shooting,” the actor-politician and national athlete told The STAR and few other outlets ahead of the SEA Games opening, during a special screening for his comeback film, “Salvageland,” directed by Lino Cayetano.

When asked if this was indeed unprecedented for their family, he confirmed: “This is the first time. I’m very excited for the opening ceremony because I'll be with my daughter, competing for our country.”

However, one important family member won't be physically present during the Games. “Lucy won't be there. She'll be watching us on TV from Ormoc,” the now congressman Richard said of his wife, currently serving as Ormoc city mayor.