Ruffa Gutierrez to celebrate birthday with abused women and children

"I celebrated my birthday with them last year at dahil, siyempre, ang mga abused women and abused children, malalapit 'yan sa puso ko, kasi at one point in my life, I was also a victim of abuse," shares Ruffa Gutierrez.

Author: Julie Bonifacio

Four days na lang at ise-celebrate na ni Ruffa Gutierrez ang sunud-sunod na party and dinner for her birthday sa June 24. Pero bago 'yan ay magkakaroon muna ng star-studded celebration si Ruffa sa The Buzz this Sunday sa ABS-CBN. Ise-celebrate niya rin ang kaarawan niya sa piling ng mga kababaihan at kabataang inabuso.

"For my birthday, I'll be visiting the abuse center that Tita Gina [de Venecia] put up for abused women and children. I'll be there on June 28 and magsisimpleng salu-salo kami doon.

"And then, I'll be having a spa party given to me by Mikaela, ang aking sponsor. Dra. [Vicki] Belo is throwing me a party. Tito Boy Abunda is also throwing me a dinner. So, I'm so touched na marami ang nagmamahal sa akin. Hindi ko na kailangang gumastos for my birthday. Maraming nagbibigay sa akin ng dinner and party," very proud na sabi ni Ruffa nang makausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

THE ABUSED. Kahapon ay nag-renew naman ng kontrata si Ruffa with Avon products. Nabanggit ni Ruffa na sa kanyang cause na pagtulong sa mga inabusong mga babae't mga bata, inspirasyon niya ang Hollywood actress at kapwa niya Avon endorser na si Reese Witherspooon. Aside from being one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, honorary chairman din si Reese ng Avon Foundation, ang foundation for women's breast-cancer research and prevention of domestic violence against women, at longtime supporter ng mga organisasyon for child welfare and prevention of child abuse.

"Actually, I really look up to Reese Witherspoon as not only a very good actress but as a woman who's strong, dignified, and she believes in women's rights. And I can say in my own little way ganun din ako.

"As a matter of fact on June 28, I'll be visiting Haven. Nandun na rin ako last year. I celebrated my birthday with them last year at dahil, siyempre, ang mga abused women and abused children, malalapit 'yan sa puso ko, kasi at one point in my life, I was also a victim of abuse.

"And I can say that it doesn't end there. Puwede namang baguhin ang buhay mo and you can stand up and face the world and start anew. And I can do it, I'm sure all the women out there can do it as well. Kailangan lang nila ng aking prayers at aking tulong, nandito lang ako," pahayag pa ni Ruffa.

NO "GIMIK." With her job and participation in worthy causes, paano naman niya binibigyan ng oras ang sarili niya? Paano ba siya gumimik?

"Actually, hindi po nila ako pinagsasabihan because you can ask my Mom. I now live with my Mom and Dad at talagang hindi ako lumalabas sa gabi. Wala silang problema sa akin, you know. And sometimes, I'm always in the house kapag wala akong work. Siya pa ang nagsasabi sa akin, 'Ruffa, lumabas ka naman.' Nagiging homebody na ako.

"I just stay home or go to Belo or go to the gym. Nagdyi-gym na rin ako ngayon. 'Tsaka wala naman kasing interesting sa labas, di ba?

"I mean, if you go out, mapapaaway ka lang. Baka ma-blog ka pa. Matsitsismis ka. Wala namang cute na anybody around."

YILMAZ MENTIONED. Ano nga pala ang birthday wish niya?

"Ang wish ko is good health. After what happened to Kuya Rudy [Fernandez] last week, siyempre, lahat ng buong industriya, lahat ng buong Pilipinas, nalungkot. So, I think kahit ano pa ang mangyari sa buhay mo with all the success, with all the beautiful things that are coming your way, I think importante pa rin yun talagang good health.

"So, sana yung good health for me and for my family. Sana makapiling ko rin ang pamilya ko many, many years longer and more success for my career and also for my kids."

Binati na ba siya ng mister niyang si Yilmaz Bektas?

"Actually, kagabi nabuhay na naman siya dahil sa PEP na 'yan. Ba't daw nandun ang name niya?"

Ayon sa report, si Ruffa naman ang nagbanggit ng pangalan ni Yilmaz kaya siguro nag-react naman ang kanyang Turkish husband.

"Basta, basta. Ayaw ko munang magsalita. Ewan ko nga, e. Nalaman niya pa rin. Nakakarating sa kanya everything kaya ayoko munang mag-comment."

Sign lang 'yan na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nakaka-move on si Yilmaz sa kanya.

"Basta for me, he's still the father of my kids kaya dapat magkaroon kami ng isang magandang peaceful relationship," pagtatapos ni Ruffa.

Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal