Richard Yap
Filipino actor, singer, model and businessman (born 1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Edison Uy Yap (born May 18, 1967) is a Filipino actor and recording artist. He is best known for portraying Richard "Sir Chief" Lim in Be Careful with My Heart and "Papa Chen" in My Binondo Girl. And from 2022 to 2024, he portrays Dr. RJ "Obeng" Tanyag in Abot-Kamay na Pangarap.
May 18, 1967
Sir Chief
Richard Yap | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Edison Uy Yap May 18, 1967 Cebu City, Philippines |
| Other names | Papa Chen Sir Chief |
| Education | Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu |
| Alma mater | De La Salle University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Agents |
|
| Political party | NUP (2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | PDP–Laban (2018–c. 2019) BARUG (2018–c. 2019) |
| Spouse |
Melody Leva Yap (m. 1993) |
| Children | 2 |
Career
In 2011, Yap launched his acting career in ABS-CBN via My Binondo Girl where he played Kim Chiu's father, Chen Sy.[1]
In 2012, Yap played a recurring character in Walang Hanggan as Henry de Dios.[2] But his role as Richard "Sir Chief" Lim in the daytime drama Be Careful with My Heart catapulted him to fame spreading to other countries and made him a household name. The show ran from 2012 to 2014 due to its large following and loyal fanbase. Be Careful with My Heart would go on to have worldwide tours, concerts, an album, and has been aired in numerous other continents.[3]
After Be Careful with My Heart, Yap starred in Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita, where his character was paired with Vina Morales, and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, portraying a criminal underworld character by the name of Philip Tang, and had a special participation in My Super D[4] and Till I Met You.
In 2016, he and Sta. Maria reunited onscreen and topbilled the romantic film The Achy Breaky Hearts which was a box office success. Because of this, there is a strong clamor for them to also reunite on television.[4]
On his singing career, Yap along with Richard Poon collaborated in an album and a major concert.
He topbilled the 2016 installment of Regal Films' Mano Po 7: Chinoy.
On December 16, 2020, he signed his management contract with GMA Artist Center.[5]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine | Jandy | ||
| 2011–2012 | My Binondo Girl | Chen "Papa Chen" Sy | ||
| 2012–2020 | ASAP | Himself/Performer | ||
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Gayuma | Edgar | ||
| Walang Hanggan | Henry De Dios | |||
| 2012–2014 | Be Careful with My Heart | CEO Richard "Ser Chief/Ricardo/Ricky" Lim | ||
| 2015 | Home Sweetie Home | Dr. Richard Dee | ||
| Wansapanataym: My Kung Fu Chinito | Peter Tan/Mang Bai/former Kungfu Chinito | |||
| Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita | Carlo Asuncion | |||
| 2015–2016 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Philip Tang | ||
| 2016 | My Super D | Delta/original Super D | ||
| 2018 | Sana Dalawa ang Puso | Martin Co | ||
| 2019–2020 | Kadenang Ginto (Season 3) | Leonardo "Leon" Herrera | ||
| 2021 | Dear Uge Presents: Jing, Ang Bato | Julio Abril | ||
| All-Out Sundays | Himself/Guest | [6] | ||
| I Can See You: On My Way to You! | George Alfonso | |||
| Almost Paradise | — |
|||
| Magpakailanman: Gwa ai Di, I Love You: The Richard and Melody Yap Story | Himself/Guest | |||
| 2021–2022 | I Left My Heart in Sorsogon | Tonito Wenceslao III | ||
| 2022–2024 | Abot-Kamay na Pangarap | Dr. Robert Jose "RJ/Obeng" Tanyag | ||
| 2023 | Unbreak My Heart | Matteo "Matt" Zhang | ||
| Magandang Dilag | Dr. Robert Jose "RJ" Tanyag | |||
| 2023–present | It's Showtime | Himself/Guest/Performer | ||
| 2026 | Never Say Die | Tomas Limjoco |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ekstra | Himself (cameo) |
| 2014 | Past Tense | Old Babs |
| The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin | General Wilson Chua | |
| 2015 | You're Still The One | Vincent |
| Felix Manalo | Glicerio Santos | |
| 2016 | Just the 3 of Us | Capt. Alex Gatchalian |
| The Achy Breaky Hearts | Frank Sison | |
| Mano Po 7: Chinoy | Wilson Wong, Sr. | |
| 2025 | Fatherland | |
| Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario | Phillip |
Music
| Track No. | Title | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Promise Ain't Enough | 5:01 |
| 2 | I Think I'm in Love Again | 4:01 |
| 3 | Don't Know What to Do | 3:18 |
| 4 | Can't Find No Reason | 3:02 |
| 5 | You Take My Breath Away | 3:20 |
| 6 | Chasing Cars | 4:00 |
| 7 | High | 4:41 |
| 8 | After Glow | 3:02 |
| 9 | Oh Babe – Chinese Version | 3:12 |
| 10 | Please Be Careful with My Heart (ft. Jodi Sta. Maria) | 3:42 |
| 11 | Salamat | 4:34 |
| Track No. | Title | Artist | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love Boat | Richard Poon | 2:45 |
| 2 | Can't Smile Without You | 2:36 | |
| 3 | Grow Old With You | 2:41 | |
| 4 | The Last Time | 3:56 | |
| 5 | Goodbye | 4:06 | |
| 6 | You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine | Richard Yap | 4:28 |
| 7 | Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You | 4:07 | |
| 8 | You Can't Hurry Love | 2:49 | |
| 9 | Don't Know What to Do, Don't Know What to Say (She's The One Movie Soundtrack) | 3:16 | |
| 10 | Promise Ain't Enough | 4:58 |
Soundtracks
– 2013 She's the One (Film) (performer: "Don't Know What to Do, Don't Know What to Say")
– 2013 Four Sisters and a Wedding (Film) (performer: "Salamat")
– 2012 Sarah G Live (TV Series) (performer – 1 episode)
– Robi Domingo/Richard Yap/K Brosas/Ate Gay/Kedebon Colim/Cacai Bautista/Bb. Gandanghari (2012) ... (performer: "The Way You Look Tonight")
– 2012 Be Careful with My Heart (TV Series) (performer – 1 episode)
– Maya Is Determined to Chase Her Dreams (2012) ... (performer: "Please Be Careful with My Heart")
Awards and nominations
| Awards and Nomination | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 2012 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Breakthrough Performance of an Actor | My Binondo Girl | Won |
| 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best New Male TV Personality | Nominated | ||
| Anak TV Seal Awards | Favorite Anak TV Makabata Stars (shared with Jodi Sta. Maria) | N/a | Won | |
| 2013 | Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Ensemble Performance (shared with Be Careful with My Heart cast) | Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Love Team on Television (shared with Jodi Sta. Maria)[7] | Won | ||
| 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actor | Won | ||
| 2014 | 1st Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards | Best Television Actor | Won | |
| GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Love Team on Television (shared with Jodi Sta. Maria)[8] | Won | ||
| 2023 | 12th Northwest Samar State University Students' Choice Awards for Radio and Television | Best Supporting Actor (shared with Abot-Kamay na Pangarap cast) | Abot-Kamay na Pangarap | Won |
Politics
Yap was a candidate for representative of Cebu City's north district in the 2019 elections. Running under BARUG-PDP–Laban, he failed to unseat the incumbent Raul del Mar. Yap finished second out of four candidates.[9][10]
Yap ran once again for the same congressional seat in the 2022 elections under the National Unity Party but did not win.[11][12]
Personal life
Yap was born and raised in Cebu City. He graduated from Sacred Heart School in Cebu and then to De La Salle University for College. Coming from a family who loves to cook, Yap aspired a to be chef in his younger years.[13] He owns/co-founded several food businesses, such as a gastropub and Asian cuisine restaurant.[14]
In 1993, he married Melody Yap, with whom he has two children, Ashley and Dylan.[15]