Ruffa cries foul: Misleading!

MANILA, Philippines – Celebrities are easy target of online bashing — and misleading posts. Ruffa Gutierrez can relate particularly to the latter, when some online advertisements recently announced to digital natives that she left Cosmo Skin for moral reasons. Ruffa weighed in on the issue and made clarifications in a presscon, telling members of media that she remains the endorser of Cosmo Skin. The actress was joined by Bargn Farmaceutici Philippines Co. (BFPC) directors Niño Bautista and Red Gatus.

“I was shocked and I ignored it (initially) because I’m used to intrigues,” said Ruffa. “But it was when 10 people messaged me — and they were like very close friends — and told me ‘Ruffa, totoo ba ’to?’ (that) I felt (the need) to address it and if not, there would be one or two people believing it. At alam mo naman na kapag dumating na sa tao, grabe na ang balita. Instead of one plus one equals to two, one plus one equals to 25. So, I had to really clear it and I just want to say, of course, that I’m still with Cosmo Skin. We just came from a very successful event in Cebu and I use the products. We’ve been happily together as a family for three years now and hopefully for many more years to come.”

Upon learning and reading the posts, Ruffa related that she used her social media sites to say her piece but “hindi naman lahat talagang makakabasa nun... Actually, hindi lang naman ako ang biktima nito, maramimg mga artista. I don’t know if they have taken action already... I’m actually surprised how they (individuals making up those posts) spend their time. Mayroon talaga silang time na gumawa ng fake account, gumawa ng malicious na ad para manira ng kapwa tao. Let’s be fair. If you want someone to (patronize) your company or buy your products, you have to do it the right way.”

With President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s incoming administration, which has made statements on hunting down criminals, Ruffa hoped it will enact laws “to protect us,” aside from the existing ones. 

“As a matter of fact, I have like 30 fake accounts,” she said. “To tell you honestly, I would feel yung mga taong matatalino would know kung ako yun or hindi and yet naniniwala pa rin sila na naninira ako sa ibang artista, na ako talaga yun. It’s best that we go out of our way to correct them.” The actress added that she doesn’t even know the name of the company which reportedly created the posts.

To show that she is still part of BFPC family, makers of Cosmo Skin, Ruffa informed the public about its collagen product in powder form. “I think you should start when you are much younger,” she answered when asked about beauty regimen. “Kailangan preventive. Kailan ka gagamit ng produktong pampaganda kung kailan wrinkly na kayo? Bago pa lang magkaroon ng wrinkles, dapat gumamit na tayo to prevent it.” According to Niño, the collagen production in a person’s skin decreases when he reaches the age of 25. So he needs to take collagen, especially when approaching 30s.

Recently, Ruffa was seen acting in the TV5 primetime drama Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap? After that, exciting projects are in the pipeline. One of which is the season four of the E! co-produced reality TV show It Takes GUTz To Be A Gutierrez.

“We’re just about to shoot the (latest) season,” she said. “Everywhere we went in Asia and abroad, nanunuod sila ng show namin (people watched us). We have so many foreign sponsors now. So, we decided to push through with it. E! wanted us to renew our contract. So we did. It’s going to be launched in July.” In a Hong Kong sojourn, Ruffa met an Irish group, which is based in the former British colony, and gave in to their Kodak moment request.

“It will definitely be different,” she said. Jordan Mouyal, Ruffa’s boyfriend, will be a lovely addition to the cast but, according to her, is camera shy.

“The family,” said Ruffa is still the focus of the show, and also the kids — the Gutierrezes’ younger set. “Lorin and Venice are growing up. Zion is growing up.” They will add layers to the plotline.

It Takes GUTz will have British Steven Gilfeather at the helm and Tokyo as backdrop for the latest season and the playground for the main characters. As much as they want to add more Asian locations, their hectic schedules prevent them from taping episodes beyond Japan and the Philippines. “Let’s see” was Ruffa’s reply to the possible characters who will make surprise appearances in the show. “We’re still a very wholesome Asian family,” she added.

Aside from TV work, Ruffa joins the bandwagon of celebrities-turned-authors like Mom Annabelle Rama. It is a long-delayed book, said Ruffa. 

“Yung book ni Mommy, hindi ko talaga kayang talbugan, hindi naman ako ganun ka taray at ka tapang,” she said. “Everywhere I go, I know my mom’s book is sold-out because even in National Bookstores they would tell me... magandang pampasalubong. They always say wala na. Sabi ni Mommy na wag ko daw pag-usapan ang mga exes ko sa darating kong libro kasi wala daw bibili nyan. I told her iba ang storya ng libro ko. It’s about my life and it’s about love.”

Ruffa is partnering with ABS-CBN Publishing with this venture. She also shared that the book will also touch on fashion and give pieces of advice to women her age.