Former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez, who successfully transitioned into the world of acting, beams with pride as she reflects on her daughters, Venice and Lorin Gabrielle Bektas. 

These young women, currently pursuing their studies in the US, are blossoming into responsible and insightful individuals. 

Ruffa cherishes that they excel academically and demonstrate maturity and independence, giving her peace of mind as a mother. 

Grateful for their positive attributes, she enjoys a harmonious relationship, free from the typical stresses often accompanying parenting.

Ruffa emphasized the importance of being wise with their money, sharing personal anecdotes about her own experiences with budgeting, saving, and investing. 

Her intention was clear: she wanted to equip her daughters with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of money management confidently.

Saving for the rainy days

"I always tell my kids to save. And save for the rainy days. So the talent fee they received from endorsements nakalagay sa savings account. Pero meron din naman silang allowance. (I always tell my kids to save. And save for the rainy days. So, the talent fee they receive from endorsements is placed in the savings account. But they also have an allowance)," said Ruffa when asked what she tells her children about money during the launch of her endorsement for Kabayan Remittance in Quezon City last April 10.

Ruffa added: "Gusto ko naman na yung mga anak ko since they work hard for it, they will enjoy the money. Hindi naman ako super higpit sa kanila. But I always say to save for the rainy days. Okay lang naman to splurge once in a while para sipagin din naman sila magtrabaho. (I want my children to enjoy the money since they work hard. I'm not super strict with them. But I always say to save for the rainy days. It's okay to splurge once in a while to encourage them to work hard.)"

Ruffa, 50, takes pride in her daughters' love for learning and enthusiasm for acquiring new knowledge.  They actively seek new challenges to further their intellectual growth.

"Gusto kasi ni Lorin magpursue ng masteral after graduation. Pero binibiro ko siya. Sabi ko, 'Could you please return my investments first?' Magtrabaho ka na muna because baka hindi ko na kaya ng another five or 10 years kung nag-aaral pa siya. (Lorin wants to pursue a master's degree after graduation. But I was kidding him. I said, 'Could you please return my investments first?' Get a job first because I might not be able to do it for another five or 10 years if he's still studying.)

"Pero natutuwa ako kasi gusto pa niyang mag-aral. Yung ibang kabataan pipilitin mo pang mag-aral. But with my kids, they love studying and they love educating themselves. So whatever they want to be, I'll support them. (But I'm glad he still wants to study. You'll force other kids to study. But with my kids, they love studying and they love educating themselves. So whatever they want to be, I'll support them)," she also said.

In 2003, Ruffa and Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas got married. But they separated in 2007. Ruffa raised Venice and Lorin on her own.

Father of her daughters

Even though she has been away from Yilmaz for many years, Ruffa acknowledges him as the father of her daughters. “The love of a father is also important. My kids are always looking forward to spending time with their dad.”

She added: “I never said anything against Yilmaz. I told my girls the truth. But I also insisted that they respect their dad. My kids are my best friends. So I tell them everything. I don’t hide anything from them."

If plans proceed, Yilmaz might visit the Philippines in May to see his daughter. However, Ruffa mentioned that his visit is no longer about her, but about his relationship with his children.

In 2003, Ruffa and Yilmaz got married. But they separated in 2007. Ruffa raised Venice and Lorin on her own.

Lorin buys car

Ruffa mentioned that her daughter, Lorin, took her advice when purchasing her first car in the US.

"I remember kami ni Lorin we had our discussions about her first car in the US. So yung endorsement niya bumili siya ng sasakyan sa US. Sabi niya, 'I want a nice car.' Alam mo naman ang mga bata. Ako naman wala na akong pakialam kahit na anong klaseng car basta umaandar as long as umaandar at may gulong. (So she was able to buy a car in the US with the talent fee from her endorsements. She said, 'I want a nice car.' You know the kids. I don't care about any car as long as it runs and has wheels.

"Pero yung mga bata siyempre gusto nila medyo luxury brand. So pinagdaanan ko rin naman yan. So I advise her to buy a car na kasya sa kanya at hindi masyadong luxury, which you can drive from school and back. Nakinig naman siya, and she bought a second-hand Mercedes-Benz. So this is her car, and if she wants to sell it, pwede rin. (But the kids, of course, enjoy a fairly luxurious brand. So I went through that too. So I advised her to buy a car that fits her and isn't too luxurious, which you can drive from school and back. She listened and she purchased a second-hand Mercedes-Benz. So this is her car, and if she wants to sell it, that's fine too)," Ruffa said.

First paycheck

Ruffa recalled she was only 13 when she received her first paycheck for the TV special "Hiwaga ng Pasko" in 1987.

"I'm not sure if it's a big paycheck, but my first paycheck was in 1987 for 'Hiwaga Ng Pasko.' Ang unang sahod ko ay P3,000! Hindi ko sinave. Nag-shopping na ako. Dumerecho ako sa shopping center and bumili ako ng mga gusto ko. Pero yung first contract ko sa Regal, yun naman ang sinave ko. (I'm not sure if it's a big paycheck, but my first paycheck was in 1987 for 'Hiwaga Ng Pasko.' My first paycheck was P3,000! I didn't save. I went shopping. I went straight to the shopping center and bought what I wanted. But my first contract with Regal, that's what I saved)," the actress said.

Thankful

Ruffa also thanked the brands that still hire her despite her age. "They still believe, trust, and want me to represent their brands. So maraming salamat sa mga kumukuha sa akin. But before accepting endorsements, I ensure I test the product from a reputable company. I also want to make sure that I endorse a trusted and admired brand so that it is easier for me to promote."

Last year, Kabayan Remittance flew Ruffa to Canada to promote the brand and meet overseas Filipino workers. She also recalled her parents, who were working hard abroad when she and her siblings were younger.

"Hindi kami galing sa sobrang yaman na pamilya at sa sobrang hirap na pamilya pero galing ang pamilya ko sa hardwork and resilience. I also teach my kids not to be lazy, and it's important na maging masipag ka. Kung masipag ka, you will always get by and lead a successful life. (We don't come from a wealthy or very poor family, but my family comes from hard work and resilience. I also teach my kids not to be lazy, and being hardworking is important. If you are hardworking, you will always get by and lead a successful life)," she said.