What they did for love

They know it’s love because, a month after Rufa Mae Quinto and Rudy Hatfield called it quits, they started missing each other. Rudy missed Rufa Mae’s easy laughter, her ability to assure him when things don’t go his way. Rufa missed the guy whose utter dedication to his (basketball) career and the discipline that goes with it, rubbed off on her.

And so, she decided to call him and get it straight from him. Is the separation for keeps, or is there any way they can pick up the pieces from there?

Rudy must have been asking himself the same thing. In no time at all, they were back in each other’s arms. Rufa Mae met Rudy’s family for the first time in Michigan last Christmas, and they got bowled over.

"She gave them little Christmas presents, bags," Rudy reports. :"My mom (a Filipina) loves her to death. She has nothing but good words for her. Rufa Mae even made my mom and my sister cry (out of joy). You know how they can get emotional."

While she was with his family, Rufa had no qualms shedding her celebrity image and rolled her sleeves to wash the dishes on her own. No one asked her. She just went ahead and did it.

No wonder that to this day, she and Rudy’s sister email each other daily.

Before she met Rudy’s family, Rufa Mae felt edgy. What if they didn’t like me? "What if I run out of English words to say," she laughed.

To her relief, the Filipina matriarch’s influence on the Hatfields was so strong, they acted like a typical Pinoy brood, even in the US. Family bonding, for instance, is so strong, Rudy calls his mother long distance from the Philippines just to tell her how his day went.

Rudy himself has become so Filipinized he eats adobo and lumpia and understands a smattering of Tagalog.

At the presscon of Masikip sa Dibdib, which Rufa co-produces (her first) with Viva Films, Rudy smiled mischievously at his girlfriend’s typically playful answers in Tagalog to questions the press threw at them.

Playing a two-timing character in the film was an eye=opener for Rudy. He appreciated even more Rufa’s work and the tremendous effort it requires of her.

"Now," he relates, "I have more respect for her work. I understand why she steps out so late. It’s tough. I don’t know if I myself can do that myself."

Director Joyce Bernal had Rudy’s lines tailor-made for him. It was sprinkled with American slang. Besides, Direk Joyce thought, who else will have compassion for the movie than Rudy, who loves Rufa enough to devote his time and effort to the film, for free? Who else can give scenes that all-important kilig factor than these two real-life sweethearts?

In a culture which takes PAs (personal assistants) as part of the job, Rudy’s co-workers were pleasantly surprised he had none and wanted none. In true American fashion, he carried his own things and looked after himself throughout his four shooting days. With Rudy around, why depend on P.A.s?

In fact, why depend on any kind of helper, even at home? Rudy cooks for Rufa Mae, and doesn’t bother her with useless worries. This, says Rufa, allows her to concentrate on her work, and allows her to shine even more.

She cites an example: "He’s very supportive. After working for three straight days on the set, Rudy is still around. His presence alone is comforting."

At this point in her career, when looking out for number one is the name of her game, Rufa admits she can’t allow any form of distraction, especially in her love life, bring her down.

The family breadwinner (also her role in Masikip sa Dibdib) still has a lot of dreams to fulfill. Aside from settling down (no definite plans yet, though she and Rudy have "talked about the future"), Rufa plans to put up an export business with Rudy’s mom.

Helping small movie workers get jobs by producing films at this time of crisis in the industry, is another dream come true for Rufa Mae.

"I love the movies. And I want to help the people in it," she explains.

Rufa Mae also got the cue from fellow stars who produce and Hollywood celebrities-turned-producers like Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

"And," she says with a wink, "producers get to do scenes they really want to do."

This knack for having fun is the glue that keeps her relationship with Rudy well in place.

"I get so stressed out in playing basketball and she’s always in a good mood. She makes me feel better," he says.

Rufa, tickled pink, has changed for the better herself. She says she has imbibed Rudy’s discipline and focus.

"He watches what he eats and does regular workouts," she reveals.

Best of all, she knows he’s the man for her. Rufa Mae felt it when he came over her house for the first time.They have been texting each other since Rufa’s friend gave Rudy her (Rufa’s) cellphone number.

"I came from a show then and was even wearing a wig. I invited him over, thinking he’d just pass by for a few minutes," Rufa recalls that red-letter day.

When she noticed how gentlemanly he turned out to be, Rufa’s defenses melted like ice cream under the summer heat. She showed him her house and, at the end of the visit, embraced him to say thank you.

Rudy himself was touched.

"I’m basically a loner. Rufa Mae taught me to reach out to people, to fans," Rudy speaks of how his girlfriend transformed him.

Now, Rudy considers Rufa "my family" since his own is thousands of miles away. They’re not just sweethearts, they’re the best of friends. That, if you ask anybody, is the best way to go.