Will Ruffa pass audition for Jon Bon Jovi movie? - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Just when we’re starting to wonder whatever is happening to her "out there," Funfare got the following hand-written (faxed) letter from Ruffa Gutierrez, direct from L.A. Here it is:

After taking a break in London for two weeks and being a guest of the Melbourne Cup in Melbourne, Australia, I’m back in Los Angeles.

Three weeks ago while doing WCW’s Halloween Havoc at the MGM Grand in Vegas, Mr. Botelho (Century Productions boss) collapsed at the set and was hospitalized due to exhaustion. His doctors ordered him to rest for a couple of weeks. During this break from my commitments with Century, my management company based in New York has not stopped working to expose me and introduce me to the right people in Hollywood.

I was submitted for a lead role in a Jon Bon Jovi film, Vampires which will be shot entirely in Mexico. I was to play Lina, a she-vampire out to conquer the world.

To prepare for my audition, I took private coaching classes with Judy Kerr (acting coach/actress/diaglogue coach on Seinfeld and The Michael Richards Show) for $100 an hour.

The following day I had a meeting/audition for Rush Hour 2 (sequel to the blockbuster starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker). I was to play Isabella, an undercover agent for the US Secret Service posing as a jetset who runs a floating casino aboard a yacht in the Hong Kong harbor.

Ironically, Jackie Chan and I met in 1994 during the Miss World Beauty Pageant in Sun City, South Africa.

Four days later, my manager called, congratulating me on my audition. The casting agency has submitted the tape to the producers and director for them to approve. Casting is always a long process in Hollywood. Actors practically kill each other to land a part. I cross my fingers that I will pass steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 as I have already passed the first step.

Joji Dingcong was in town and introduced me to Vino Perez, top choreographer for the stars. Four times a week I take one-on-one dance classes with Vino whose other clients include Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls), Sarah Michelle Gellar and Helen Hunt. (Session is $100 per hour). It’s not cheap working your way up.

Next project with Century Productions will be a concert series with Journey and Sanctuary Records on Jan. 6, 2001 in Miami and Nashville.

Last night (Nov. 22), I was a special guest of Monet Lu’s Annual Reflections Fashion Show held at the Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom in downtown L.A. I was wearing an Inno Sotto creation.

In the meantime, everyone is asking me – Whatever happened to Enchantment? It had such a huge introduction last June and everyone was so excited. To tell you honestly and bluntly – filming of Enchantment has been delayed until the political and economic climate in the Philippines improves. From the Abu Sayyaf incident last summer to the current crisis we are going through, Mr. Botelho has been warned that the financial rating for our country is rated "risky" right now. I just hope and pray that we will all unite as a nation really soon.

To all my fans, please expect me back home on Dec. 5. It’s been six months since I was last there. I not only miss home-made Filipino food but my whole family as well! On Dec. 9, I will witness the exchanging of vows of Jessica Rodriguez and David Bunevacz at the Fort. I’m also scheduled for photo shoots, tapings and press interviews. If time permits, I’ll be spending the holidays with my family.

That’s all for now ... Gotta run!

On my way to audition for Howard Fine’s master class, a recommendation by my agent in L.A. Year 2000 has been an incredible year. Let’s pray that 2001 will be more prosperous for all of us. Cheers!

Rachel, not Daisy, is RP bet to Miss Tourism World

So it won’t be Daisy Reyes (too busy) who’s representing the country in the first Miss Tourism World slated for tomorrow, Nov. 26, in Malta. Instead, it’s former Bb. Pilipinas-World Rachel Muyot Soriano who’s competing.

Here’s a brief report from Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezare, Gery Yumping and Frances Calubaquib:

The latter part of this year is definitely "pageant season." A few days before the culmination of the Miss World Pageant (more on this in a future issue) on Nov. 30 and the Miss Asia Pacific Pageant on Dec. 2, our very own Rachel Muyot Soriano will vie for the first ever Miss Tourism World title on Nov. 26 to be held in the exotic and beautiful island of Malta.

Statuesque at 5’10" tall, Rachel is 25 and definitely exudes the charm and grace of a true Filipina. She is a graduate of AB International Studies at the De La Salle University. She just came from the US after doing a series of fashion shows when she was offered the privilege of representing our country in this international pageant. With little time to prepare, Rachel summed up all her pageant experiences to psyche herself for this new competition. Rachel represented the country in the 1998 Miss World Pageant in Seychelles.

The daughter of jewelers Ruthy Soriano and the former Imelda Muyot, Rachel is determined to capture the Miss Tourism World crown. She will be wearing an Ibaloy-inspired outfit for the National Costume competition. The costume is made of gold beads with a stunning flame headdress.

During the send-off party hours before her flight last Nov. 16, Rachel promised to do her best to promote the country as a tourism destination amidst these turbulent times. Her dream of becoming a diplomat is surely underway.

She wants to fulfill her mission in life by promoting literacy among street children through free education and help them develop their skills which would help them in the future.

Asked whether she would join showbiz, she just gave a meaningful smile.

We wish Rachel all the luck.