Actress Ruffa Gutierrez was stunning when she met select members of the entertainment press via Zoom after she signed for Viva Artists Agency (VAA) last Tuesday, Aug. 16.
Is Ruffa in love again?
The star of the blockbuster movie "Maid In Malacanang" revealed that falling in love is the least of her priorities these days. At her age, she believes that love life is enjoyed in private and should just add spice to your life.
“Ang mga love life naman, puwedeng tahimik ‘yan. Hindi kailangan i-broadcast. Love life should just add spice to your life. It shouldn’t be the major priority,” said Ruffa, when asked about the present state of her heart.
She added: "My God, para naman tayong teenagers! Nandiyan lang ‘yan. Ang love life naman, when you’re at this age, kailangan makinig sa mga bagay-bagay na mas mahalaga para sa atin, like our family, our career, so we should be with a man that understands all that and can take the backseat when he has to, who support you when you need the support.
"Para sa akin, hindi naman kailangan tanungin na i-prioritize ang love life or i-prioritize ang career. Understood na lahat ‘yan kasama na sa buhay natin. Ang pangit naman kung puro career na walang nagpapa-inspire sa 'yo, di ba? Ang importante, you know how to balance everything and live a well-balanced life," she said.
Ruffa, 48, also said that bashers do not bother her anymore.
“I’ve been in the industry for 36 years and all the major superstars around the world may mga bashers. Hindi na dapat natin sila iniintindi and hindi natin iniintindi 'yung mga naninira kasi you’ll never be able to change their minds,” she said. “Some people love you, some people won’t like you. Some people always change their minds about you. Ang importante you just remain true to yourself."
She also gave her unsolicited advice to the young ones about staying power in show business.
“Be professional. Always be on time. Don’t ever burn bridges kasi umiikot lang naman tayo dito sa showbiz e. Maliit lang naman ang industriya. 'Yung mga taong makakasama mo 20 years ago, makakasama mo sila muli. As a matter of fact, 'yung mga tao sa productions dati, mga big bosses na ngayon. Tayo-tayo lang naman magkakasama and I think that’s the big secret that the young ones should emulate,” Ruffa said.
She added: “You have to go with the flow and reinvent yourself. Be nice to people and huwag mong kalimutan yung mga tao na tumulong sa’yo. Ang mga magagaling makisama are the ones who will stay the longest. We all know fame is fleeting. Hindi naman lahat ng oras nasa taas ka. May mga times na bumababa ka at umaakyat uli. So ganun naman talaga ang buhay. Minsan nasa baba at minsan nasa taas tayo.”
Ruffa was accompanied by her mom talent manager Annabelle Rama when she signed for Viva. She said that her mom will be her co-manager. The contract signing was also witnessed by Viva Communications founder and chairman Vic del Rosario, and Viva Artists Agency President and COO Veronique del Rosario-Corpus.
"Medyo nag lie-low ang mom ko sa pag-manage ng mga artista because na-stress siya sa mga mina-manage niya before. My mom has a lucky streak. Anything she touches also turns into gold. Marunong talaga siyang makisama sa mga tao. Sometimes she's impulsive pero ang maganda naman kay mommy, close naman sila ni Boss Vic noon pa. She's my mom and I honor her. I just want my mom to be happy. Kahit na makulit si mommy minsan, inaaway ako lagi, that's the way she is. We should always honor our parents," she said.
"I'm very honored and excited to be part of Viva Artists Agency. Since 1980s napakalapit ko na po sa Viva family. The very first person that took me shopping pagkagaling ko sa United States was the late Ms Mina Aragon. I remember we went shopping at Rustan's Makati and nililigawan po niya ako para maging part ng Viva family pero mas mabilis noong mga panahon na yun si the late Donna Villa kaya sa Golden Lions po ako pumirma," she recalled.
"But then napakaliit lang naman ng industriya at umiikot lang tayo. And now after how many decades, I'm here now with Viva, and I'm very proud and very happy and excited for all the projects lined up," Ruffa said.
For now, she refused to reveal the projects prepared for her by Viva.
Ruffa also thanked the people who supported her current movie "Maid In Malacanang" which she said is a certified box-office hit.
"Please pray na sana umabot ito ng P300 million para masabi po natin na buhay na buhay na po ang Philippine cinema. Maraming salamat po sa suporta ninyo," she said.
On being controversial these days, Ruffa said: "Yung pagiging controversial, hindi naman yan ginagawa it just happens. It's like luck. When Lady Luck is on your side, and marami kang success, kakambal yan ng controversy, hindi natin maiiwasan yan. Kung hindi ka na pinaguusapan sa showbiz, doon ka na magtaka. Ibig sabihin laos ka na. So okay na rin yung pinaguusapan at tinitira. At least they still have time, and you're still relevant for them."