Ruffa and Yilmaz: What’s the real score? - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Now it can be told: Ruffa Gutierrez and her Turkish boyfriend, Yilmaz Bektas, did plan to get married supposedly this July in Turkey, to be followed by another wedding later this year in the Philippines, but Ruffa changed her mind at the last minute (just when the details were being finalized).

"I felt that I wasn’t emotionally prepared to settle down," Ruffa told Funfare during a brief phone chat the other day. "I want to get married kung talagang handang-handa na ako."

The Turkey affair would have been solemnized in the yacht Savarona which is, at 446 feet long, the largest non-royal private yacht in that part of the world, complete with 18 luxurious suites and owned by the Turkey Government.

When Ruffa broke the news about their (abortive) wedding to her parents (Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama) via overseas call, it sparked a fight between Eddie and Annabelle that lasted for two weeks.

"Eddie told Ruffa to go ahead with her plans, after all sabi ni Eddie, nasa edad na naman siya," Annabelle told Funfare. "Pero ayoko pang mag-asawa si Ruffa. I can’t bear to see her live with a man and be away from us, that’s why nag-away kami ni Eduardo. I heard them talking on the phone. Eddie was telling Ruffa, ‘You’re old enough to decide for yourself and to choose the man. After all, you will be the one who will live with him, hindi naman kami ng Mommy mo.’ That was more than two months ago. When Ruffa changed her mind, natuwa ako."

Ruffa and Yilmaz, both 26, have been into a galit-bati kind of romance. Yilmaz has been here a few times and has met Ruffa’s family. Because Ruffa is busy with her TV-hosting career and Yilmaz with his own business, the romance has been largely a "long distance one" with Ruffa and Yilmaz talking on the phone all the time.

"He just called me a while ago," said Ruffa during our chat. "He was checking if I was okay already because I had my wisdom tooth extracted. He’d call a dozen times everyday just to find out how I am. Sweet, isn’t he?"

"May pagka-possessive si Yilmaz," said Annabelle. "When Ruffa was here recently (Ruffa left only last week for L.A.), tawag siya nang tawag. One time, I was the one who got his call on Ruffa’s cellphone. Gusto lang niya kumustahin si Ruffa."

Asked if it’s true that Yilmaz is (was?) married (he’s a Muslim and therefore entitled to have four wives, if he wants to), Ruffa said, "What I know is that he isn’t , although he has had a previous romance."

Oh, well, if and when, would Ruffa be Yilmaz’s first wife – first of the four or first and last?

Laughed Ruffa, "Well, as you know, the first is always the original."

That is, if they ever plan to get married – soon?

* * *

Congratulations to Sharon Cuneta on her selection (along with Laurice Guillen) as one of the outstanding women in the field of film and entertainment by Hallmark Channel.

Here’s Sharon’s acceptance speech:

After over 23 years in show business, I hope to have been able to become an inspiration to women in the Philippines– not only in the way I have handled my professional life, but also my personal life. I hope I have succeeded in showing women that it is possible to have a successful career and a happy home life, without having to compromise one’s principles, or hurting those who matter the most. I hope I have shown that one doesn’t have to be perfect in order to be a good person, but I also hope I have shown that a woman should certainly continue to strive to be the best that she can be, both at home and at work.

My position in the business has afforded me a lot of luxuries and perks, but I have always been aware of the fact that it comes with a huge responsibility. Because it is not only about taking, but about giving back whatever I can. It is about being worthy of my audience’s respect not only for my work but for the way I have lived my life, the many ways I have stumbled but focused on no other option besides picking myself up and learning from my mistakes. The way a woman can feel a bit discouraged, but should never allow herself to feel defeated. I hope I have been able to show that one can survive in this complicated world of show business with her decency intact.

I have two precious daughters whom I hope will learn from the person I have become. I hope they will know that a woman doesn’t have to be nasty to assert herself – though as women, we have the right to be just that when we are stepped on! I hope they will know that they don’t have to be weak in order to be taken cared of, and that they are well-equipped to take good enough care of themselves, and shine in whatever field they choose to be, not only for themselves but for everyone.

Thank you, Hallmark, for this very special honor. This will be one of my most treasured.

Thank you again and God bless you.