I won’t retrace the Bektas family tree anymore nor show "proofs" of Yilmaz’s celebrity status. I guess the big splash that Turkish newspapers in Istanbul gave to the couple’s wedding in Manila last March 25 is the best proof of Yilmaz’s standing in Turkish society.
Here are some samples (with English translations):
• From Pasta, April 11, 2003 issue, headlined The Amazing Wedding of Manila:
Istanbul’s fastest playboy and petroleum/construction owner Yilmaz Bektas has been with Ruffa Gutierrez for almost three years. Ruffa is the daughter of one of Manila’s top families and Philippines’ most famous actress.
Everybody is interested in what they call (Philippine) society’s "Wedding of the Year."
Ruffa has a 20,000-fan base; her fans have been with her all these years and showed everyone how much they loved her.
Philippine Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada (represented by son Jinggoy), former First Lady Imelda Marcos and son Bongbong were among the sponsors and guests.
Jewelry magnate Silvano Bulgari was one of the principal sponsors.
Yilmaz Bektas is a modern Muslim. The couple will be based in Istanbul, London and New York.
(Note: The story was accompanied by a photo of the newly-weds with Ruffa’s parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, and Imelda and Bongbong, along with clippings of Philippine magazine covers featuring the wedding.)
• From Hurriyet (bought in 25 countries worldwide, including L.A., London and New York), April 9, 2003 issue, headlined 100 People Aboard a PrivateJet Flew to Manila:
Top businessman Muhittin Bektas’ son Yilmaz Bektas and Miss World Beauty 1993/Filipino actress Ruffa Gutierrez got married in Manila last March 25 at the NBC Tent in front of 800 guests. Bektas flew in 100 people for the said occasion.
Yilmaz, who’s a part of CMC di Pavenna (an Italy-based construction party) threw a party in Ataturk aboard the Savaranoi, the world’s biggest yacht, last summer.
They met during the Cannes Film Festival in France (in 2000) where Ruffa, 28, was covering the event for an American television.
Her mother is from Manila.
Being a modern Muslim, Yilmaz can’t have four wives.
Ruffa gave up her career, including a soap opera on GMA 7 entitled Habang Kapiling Ka.
(Note: Ruffa is currently in L.A. looking for a house. Her five-month pregnancy is going smoothly. Yilmaz is soon following her.)
There. Good enough?
Instead, Red and Alice are putting up a concert with Verni as solo topbiller maybe before end of this year.
But just the same, Sergio, a Grammy winner, is performing with other Pinoy talents, including Titchie Sarabia (cousin of the Vivian Sarabia), a percussionist; Jennifer Cuneta (New York-based singer who’s related to Sharon); Boston Delina; Angel Desai; and Kristina Kanders.
It promises to be an entertaining show, with the Brazilian community helping Red and Alice put it up.
Sergio Mendes and his band once performed in Manila.
Alice quoted Sergio as saying, "I love the Filipinos. They’re warm, like Brazilians, and they responded with enthusiasm to our music."