After only being away for about a month, Ruffa breezed back into town from L.A. last Nov. 29, purposely to host Songs and Laughter Unlimited, the second two-day concert to be produced by the family-owned Royale ERA Entertainment in barely two months, slated on Dec. 7 and 8 at the Country Waffles (Greenhills) – and right smack into yet another round of controversies (well, only "minor" issues so far) swirling around her.
First, is it true that she and her Turkish boyfriend Yilmaz Bektas are secretly married?
Second, is it true that she’s selling her condo unit at One Beverly Place in Greenhills (right beside the Atlanta Towers where Nida Blanca was murdered)?
Third, those internet photos (some copies e-mailed to Funfare) showing her with a few girls, one of them Jessica Rodriguez, laughing on the floor as if hugging each other.
Unruffled as usual, as cool as ever and gracious even under pressure, Ruffa clarified the (minor) issues point by point.
First, the "secret marriage yarn."
"No, Yilmaz and I are not secretly married. If ever we get married, we’ll tell the whole world about it. Next week, Yilmaz is following me here; he’s staying at a five-star hotel and not in my condo unit. And then, after the Country Waffles concerts, we’re flying to Sydney and from there, we might fly straight to L.A. Oh, yes, we’re pushing through with our cruise (with selected guests and friends) this summer aboard the Savarona (a luxury ship) around Sardinia and Fortosino in Italy."
What’s news is that Yilmaz has just gifted Ruffa with a three-bedroom penthouse unit in Istanbul, complete with a tennis court, a swimming pool, a spa, a concierge and a 24-hour security staff.
Second, the One Beverly Place condo.
"I did think of selling it because the area has become scary. Three people have died in barely one month, kaya nakakatakot. I could see the Atlanta Towers from my window and it’s scary. But my Mom (Annabelle Rama) advised me not to sell it yet because prices of real estate are down. I’m thinking of just giving it as mana to my brothers. Right now, I’m staying with my parents and my brothers in our White Plains (Quezon City) home."
Third, those Internet pictures.
"Somebody took those pictures in December last year during the shower for Jessica. We were all girls and we were having fun, playing Strip Poker. Jessica was giving the wrong answers so she was taking off her clothes and accessories piece by piece. Ganoon ang game na ’yon, di ba? I stayed at the party for only about an hour because I was having dinner with Yilmaz. Whoever had those pictures must have put them on the Internet, so hayun..."
Her two-year contract with Century Productions has expired and Ruffa decided not to renew it. "Basta," she said without disclosing anything, "I have bigger plans for the near future."
But she hastened to add that she is forever grateful to Century Productions, especially to its head Ken Botelho who treated her like his daughter.
"For two years (with Century), I had a great, great time. I went to many places for coverage and I met world-famous celebrities, including Goldie Hawn, Enrique Iglesias, Sarah Jessica Parker, Daryl Hannah, Will Smith and Muhammad Ali (whom Smith is portraying in the Ali bioflick). Century treated me like a princess and I really appreciated that."
No, Ruffa is not staying for Christmas and not even New Year which she and Yilmaz plan to spend in Miami where they might go after Yilmaz’s Sydney business trip. Then, they’ll go to Istanbul where Ruffa will take it easy in her new penthouse condo, minus Yilmaz, who’s staying in the Bektas’ family residence. "It’s bawal sa custom nila for a couple to stay together until they’re married," said Ruffa.
(Note: Songs and Laughter Unlimited features Mitch Valdes and Jessa Zaragoza on Dec. 7, and Dulce and Allan K. on Dec. 8, with Yam Ledesma, Jinky Llamanzares, Selina Sevilla and Tina Paner as guest performers. Beneficiary of the concert is the CBM Scholarship Foundation. Venue of the shows is the Country Waffles in Greenhills. For inquiries, call 727-25-34 to 36 or 722-44-15/722-44-22.)
Reception will follow at the Ayala Alabang Clubhouse.
The twins will have 16 godparents, including Luis Philip "Lucky" S. Manzano, Albert Reyes, Vince Lauron, Dr. Abraham Pascual, Victor Tan, Ariel Arce, Bong Lopez and Anthony Manlongat; and Alyanna Carmela S. Martinez, Joyce Bernal, Maribeth Bichara, Angelica Marie P. Ampil, Samantha Sadhwani, Berna Romulo Puyat, Jerevi Hermogino Hughes and Cheryl Dionisio.
Dec. 8 is significant to Aga because it’s the birthday of his late maternal lola, Concepcion Amador Fuentes (mother of Aga’s dad Cheng, his uncle Alex and aunt Amalia Fuentes). The ground breaking of Aga’s Ayala Alabang mansion was also held on that date.
Incidentally, Charlene was told by her OB-Gyne that she’s capable of multiple pregnancy. Does that mean that after the twins, Charlene and Aga could have twins again or triplets?