An Open Letter From Ruffa - With Love

Curtain-raisers:

* A certain singer-actor can never forgive his actress-girlfriend. Reason? He caught her in the act with an actor star right in her own condo! No wonder the singer-actor dumped her like a hot potato (ouch!) and found a new love. Moral lesson? If you do "it" at home, keep the doors -- and windows -- locked.

* A young actress and a young actor made quite a scene at the dressing room of a TV station -- with Peeping Toms (yeah, voyeurs!) enjoying the whole scene. What was the young couple doing? Well, she was giving him some kind of ... service. Pass the microphone, please!

* Estranged couple Geneva Cruz and Paco Arespacochaga are at war again (ho-hum!). During the couple's son's birthday party yesterday, Paco showed up complete with TV cameramen, much to the consternation of Geneva. Now, does Paco have to use their son Heaven to get media exposure?

So what has "international TV host" Ruffa Gutierrez been up to lately (aside from her forthcoming appearance as "guest" in the Oscars)?

A lot, as Ruffa herself tells you and me in a letter she sent to Funfare. Here it is, direct from the States, straight from Ruffa's heart -- with love:

This year has served as an eye opener for me on so-called "friends." Friends who've been especially nice in the beginning but after connections have been made and numbers have been exchanged, they turn into opportunists with a heart of steel. Not caring if they hurt others just as long as they try to wiggle their way towards everyone's ultimate dream... Hollywood.

I need not say more. I just thank the countless people who have stood by my side throughout the pain, the darkness, my failures and triumphs... most especially my family. My success will be their success as well.

These are truly exciting times. The Grammys gave me an opportunity to meet my favorite stars. Performers I've grown up listening to whom I thought would never meet in this lifetime. Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Puff Daddy, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Backstreet Boys and many more. They were all at the BMG/Artista party at the Quiote Studios in West Hollywood. Some were at the Sony party in Spago, Beverly Hills. I went to both and mingled with everyone there. It was truly a memorable evening. Negril, Jamaica (Reggae Festival for Spring Break) was fun. It reminded me of the Philippines in a way. Locals were very friendly and hospitable.

Unfortunately, I was not able to go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Carnival due to an important audition my personal manager booked me on in Los Angeles. I had to choose and I chose the more challenging task. Indeed it was a blessing in disguise. According to statistics, Rio is one of the most unsafe cities in the world. Tourists who look affluent are mugged, stabbed and even killed. Hello! Ayoko pang mamatay no!

This week is Spring Break for millions of teenagers and college students throughout America. I'm now in Daytona Beach, Florida, pre-taping segments for MTV's Spring Break Special. The three locations are: Cancun, Mexico, Negril, Jamaica and Daytona Beach, Florida. Ang daming pulis. Nagkalat sa kalye! Just the other day on my way to the hotel from the airport, three teenagers were arrested for drunk driving.

Dito, bawal uminom at bumili ng alak, not until you're of legal age which is 21. Bawal din bumili ng yosi. If you're over 21 and have sex with anyone, who's under 18 years of age, diretso ka sa kulungan.

The segments I've taped will be edited and aired next week on MTV. Tomorrow, I'll be in Philadelphia for "The Republican National Convention" meeting. I will not be working this job till June. Then I'm off to New York for the Daniel Swarovski Fashion Show in the Hamptons. Since 1895, Swarovski has captivated the world for his breathtaking crystal products from Austria.

Next week I'm back in LA. for more auditions, meetings and yes ... The 72nd Annual Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars which will be held at the Shrine Auditorium on March 26, Sunday. Inno Sotto designed something special and unique for me in black with crystals and beads as accent. Sexy, simple and elegant.

Presenters are Drew Barrymore, Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Roberto Benigni, James Coburn, Cameron Diaz, Jane Fonda, Heather Graham, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Ashley Judd, Jude Law, Tommy Lee Jones, Lucy Liu, Mike Myers, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg, Charlize Theron and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Some of the nominees are Denzel Washington, Sean Penn, Russell Crowe, Michael Caine, Tom Cruise (I will absolutely faint if I meet him!!!), Hilary Swank, Meryl Strep, Julianne Moore and Angelina Jolie.

Host is Billy Crystal. The Governor's Ball will follow with Wolfgang Puck as the man behind the menu. A limo will be taking me and other VIP's from Century Productions. Doors to the entrance of the Shrine close at 4:30 p.m. My gosh ... Samantalang sa Pilipinas, nasa parlor pa lahat ng artista. Hahaha!

From March 27 to 31 I'll be off to my favorite city in the world, London. There I will meet the coordinators of "Wimbledon 2000, the Championships" which will be held at the All England Tennis and Croquet Club in July. As a style and fashion commentator, I will be talking about the changing styles of fashion in tennis throughout the decades.

Other than that, I miss my family and loved ones in Manila. I wish to be back home soon. Till then ... lots of hugs and flying kisses.

RUFFA GUTIERREZ

The sad news is true, after all. Yes, Ara Mina's Super Klenk will have its final telecast (GMA 7) this Sunday. After that, her flying character will be grounded (never to fly again?).

But the good news is that Ara will topbill a new GMA sitcom, untitled just yet, which starts telecast very soon.

"Super Klenk was very hard to shoot because palagi kaming outdoors," said Ara when Funfare talked to her on the set of FPJ Productions' Ayos Na Ang Kasunod (to be released by Millennium Cinema), her first team-up with FPJ. "Our minimum shooting time was two days. I wore a tight costume which could sometimes be very uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to doing the new sitcom which is light and easier to do. Like Super Klenk, pambata din 'yung bago kong sitcom."

Ara is leaving for Las Vegas third week of April to perform in a concert with Martin and Bert Nievera.

What's up?

* The Roosevelet Memorial High School alumni (batch 1960) will have a grand reunion on April 8 to mark its ruby jubilee (4oth anniversary) at the Youth Campsite, River Park, Jesus dela Pena, Marikina City. For particulars, call Angelina Ignacio (646-15-21 or 646-53-21) or Marivic Fulgar (646-03-93 or 650-09-87).