Ruffa now head of Fashion TV Turkey

As Funfare briefly noted a few issues ago, Ruffa Gutierrez and daughters Lorin and Venice are coming home first week of September from Istanbul for a month-long vacation.

"I miss home," Ruffa told Funfare during a brief phone chat. "The last time I was there was more than a year ago. Can hardly wait to be there."

While here, Ruffa will have daughter Venice baptized (or "dedicated") on Oct. 2. She’s scheduled to guest on TV shows, including Showbiz Stripped (GMA, Saturdays, from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.).

A few days ago, Ruffa formally and officially assumed her position as president of Fashion TV Turkey. During the glamour-glitter event, Ruffa was introduced by 1995 Miss Turkey Demet Sener who just got married to NBA player Ibrahim Kutluay.

Here are bits and pieces of Ruffa’s speech:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!

Hosgeldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul, one of the most special cities in the world where Europe meets Asia. First of all, I’d like to thank you all for coming. It’s such an honor for me to be a part of this project and to be a part of the new Fashion TV Turkey. What makes this evening most amazing is that we are LIVE in more than 200 countries around the world! We have made history as it is the first time it has ever happened in the 10 years of Fashion TV internationally. By doing this we are not only promoting Turkey but introducing our fashion designers and models as well.

From now on, we will be at your presence with our new image, innovations and lots of surprises... Fashion TV merchandising, hotels, bars, beach clubs... you name it!

So now ladies and gentlemen, let the fashion take the stage! The party is just about to begin... I’m Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez and welcome to the new Fashion TV Turkey!!!

Here’s how Ruffa feels about her new position, as she was quoted in a Turkish newspaper:

"Before I used to be talent on camera and now I’m behind the scenes calling the shots and making the decisions. The picture is so different on the other side of the fence. The stress is on you!! We decided to have the launch 15 days ago and had nine days to send out invitations to 3,000 people and plan the party.

"Thank God it didn’t rain and our party was a success! Donita (Rose) was on the waiting list from Singapore for a whole month and even had a dress made for the party but all flights to Istanbul from all over the world were fully booked until first week of September. I was so touched when I received text messages from my cousins in Cebu, friends from Columbia, Miami, Argentina and London who watched us live!

"Guests included Mike Tyson, Bo Derek, Ursula Andres, Flavio Briatore, and Istanbul’s elite, jet set, actors, singers, models and political figures. We also had some Formula 1 pilots and had authentic Ferrari and Renault Formula 1 cars on display. Our next event will be Fashion TV’s White Winter Ball this December. Be sure it’ll be better than our launch!"

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