Ruffa opts to take the high road

MANILA, Philippines - Ruffa Gutierrez (photo) confesses she recently became emotional when she read and heard unfavorable comments about her and her family. But Ruffa realized soon enough she should not pay attention to people who don’t matter to her or go down to their level.

From hereon, she opted to take the high road and concentrate on productive and fulfilling professional and personal endeavors. For one, Ruffa has an upcoming movie, The Mommy Returns, Regal’s Mother’s Day offering, opening on May 9.

Directed by Joel Lamangan, The Mommy Returns is family entertainment — a comedy with a touch of horror. Ruffa shares stellar billing with Gabby Concepcion, Gloria Diaz, John “Sweet” Lapus, Jillian Ward and Pokwang.

Ruffa recalls she and Gabby co-starred in several movies and that they’ve always worked well together. She says it’s an honor and a pleasure to work with Gloria, who she admires. Gloria’s daughter Isabelle Daza and niece Georgina Wilson are Ruffa’s good friends. Gloria and Ruffa are beauty queens, Miss Universe and Miss World runner-up, respectively.

Ruffa is also a TV host, fashion icon and product endorser. And more importantly, she is mother to Lorin and Venice and an advocate of child welfare and women’s rights. With such credentials, Ruffa says she has neither the inclination nor energy to engage in petty feuds with bashers. “I have more important concerns to attend to,” says Ruffa.

She says she’ll surely accompany her daughters when they watch The Mommy Returns, urging other parents to also do so. “The whole family will enjoy The Mommy Returns, and learn a lesson or two,” she says.

Maternal love is the underlying theme of the movie as shown by the roles of Pokwang and Ruffa. The mother (Pokwang) who refuses to leave her children behind and the woman (Ruffa) who yearns to fill in the void left by a mother’s death.

Ruffa looks forward to doing more films, be they drama or comedy or whatever as long as they bring out the best in her. Remember she’s taking the high road.