Ruffa Gutierrez: '2008 was a great year'

As the year 2008 is about to close, Ruffa Gutierrez can’t help but look back with fondness as this year has proven to be a great one for her. She has certainly outdone herself this year. She started 2008 with the release of the box-office hit movie “Desperadas” which opened nationwide on January 1, New Year’s Day. She did the TV series “Kokey” as the leading lady of Redford White. Then who could forget the comedy film “My Monster Mom” where she appeared with her equally lovable mother Annabelle Rama.

Ruffa also signed up with the Belo Medical Group as endorser, further strengthening her relationship with the famed company that continues to make her beautiful. After all, she had been patronizing Belo Medical Group for years. She also renewed her contracts with the various product endorsements she has.

In fact, Ruffa became a much sought-after product endorser since she returned to Manila that she landed on Number 20 on the Top 20 list of Top Product Endorsers published by YES! Magazine. She believes she got more endorsements after she appeared on “The Buzz.”

“I think in a year’s time I have grown professionally,” said the lovely Ruffa who is co-hosting “The Buzz” with Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda. “And I believe I have grown in terms of being a host. Of course, I admit I was kind of nervous because I am sharing the spotlight with Kris who we all know is the queen of talk. At first, I was not too comfortable to talk in Tagalog but Kris and Kuya Boy gave me the chance to be more comfortable as the weeks went on in The Buzz.”

“I am more challenged when it comes to my hosting chores whenever Kris is around because I know I have to do my best. Besides, hosting is one career that I never want to get rid of. With hosting comes longevity. Even if you are already married and have children, you can always find a job as a host. At this point in my career, hosting is the most beautiful job for me.”

Aside from The Buzz, Ruffa is likewise dreaming of hosting her own talk show. She wants to do a lifestyle show or morning talk show that reaches out to all the mothers out there.

People are talking about Ruffa also because of her role as the fashionable and beautiful kontrabida Daniella in “I Love Betty La Fea.” Aside from her stunning looks and ravishing beauty, she also got praised for her acting as the feisty Daniella, the foil to Armando (John Lloyd Cruz) and Beatriz (Bea Alonzo). She’s very thankful for the very good reviews she has received.

“From the beginning, people were telling me that I really fit the role of Daniella, while the others were kind of hesitant to see me because I am playing a kontrabida,” she explained. “But you know, I told myself that I want to do something different. And when I do something, I really do my best. Kahit na sabihin o isipin ng mga tao na kontrabida ako o masama akong tao sa role ko, I don’t care. Hindi ko na inisip kung ano ang magiging outcome. I did the role the way that I should, and nakakatuwa kasi I received a lot of good reviews for my performance as Daniella.”

The actress is also thrilled to be doing the sequel of Desperadas. She became closer with her fellow actresses namely Iza Calzado, Rufa Mae Quinto and Marian Rivera. The happy tale of four lovely sisters with different personalities was a blockbuster, hence the sequel which is still directed by Joel Lamangan.

“I think now, professionally, we’re much closer to each other. As colleagues we get to talk to each other and bond more with each other. And Desperadas 2 naman is a very light movie. It’s a comedy and I am glad I am able to dabble in comedy which I really enjoy. Modesty aside, I believe I am also effective in comedy. This is the part of Ruffa that people don’t get to see too often because they always perceive me as someone who is glamorous, or hard to reach. But when I do comedy medyo jologs ako ng konti,” she explained.

What other role would she like to portray? “I want to do a role of a simple probinsiyana so I won’t have to wear makeup. Para naman lumabas naman ang aking natural beauty. I’d like to do non-glamorous roles once in a while,” said Ruffa, laughing. “I want to do a character that has depth and meaning.”

What can we expect from Ruffa in 2009? “If in 2008, I was in number 20 among the top-ranked product endorsers. I’d like to see that number improve in 2009. I also plan on putting up my own line, but I still have to design the clothes so let’s keep it under wraps first. I will continue doing my annual charity bazaar for my Roof-A-Child Foundation. And I hope to do more movies, TV shows and hosting jobs next year.”