Rufa Mae: Lucky in love, lucky in career

Rufa Mae Quinto is extremely grateful for all the blessings that come her way. One of the busiest (and most visible) sexy comediennes in showtown, ravishing Rufa Mae juggles three GMA 7 top-raters (the gag show Bubble Gang, the sitcom Idol Ko Si Kap and the Sunday noontime musical-variety S.O.P.).

In a lot of ways, Rufa Mae is basking in the glow of pure bliss both in the personal and professional realms. Her relationship with longtime boyfriend, basketball player Rudy Hatfield is going strong as ever.

"He’s a funny guy," she attests. "He’s very responsible. Very sweet. And he has a soft, kind heart. But what I love most about him is that he understands my work."

Since breaking up and reuniting a few years ago, the coosome couple has discovered that love is indeed lovelier the second time around "At first, we were ill at ease," she looks back. "But after a short adjustment period, we were able to regain each other’s trust." Now, they are in perfect sync. They both agree that work is their priority and that they should support each other’s goals.

"We grow together," she enthuses. "He doesn’t stop me from doing anything. He doesn’t interfere in my career. Same thing with me. I don’t make comments about basketball because I don’t know anything about sports."

But when it comes to things that truly matter, they are both certain that they can rely on each other completely. "If he has an important game, like the championship, and I am free from work, I would watch it and cheer him on," she beams.

Even her businesses, Booba’s Secrets in BF Homes Parañaque and her newest venture, Rufa Mae’s Trip and Tours are booming. Also opening soon is a cafe cum restaurant which Rufa Mae co-owns with her Bubble Gang co-stars.

As such, she has no time to fret about petty intrigues. "I just laugh about it, really," she volunteers. "I don’t want to think about anything negative. I just want to focus on the positive."

Ten years in the biz have taught her a lot about her work, about herself. "I’ve come to accept that you cannot please everybody," she chimes in, "Bahala na sila. Basta I’m just doing my job and I’m not hurting or stepping on anyone’s toes, I’ll be fine."

She’s one tough cookie. "They can’t put me down just like that," she affirms. "I’m not saying that I’m a saint, but I know myself very well. I know that I have a good heart. That I help a lot of people. That I am very caring and loving to my family, my pamangkins. I know that I work hard, that everything that I’ve achieved, I’ve attained through hard work."

One shining testament to her perseverance is the home she built and bought with her "blood, sweat and tears."

"Until now I still can’t believe my good luck," she shares. "Imagine, I came from nothing. From rags to riches talaga. It just goes to show that nothing is impossible once you put your heart into it, once you pray for it."

In a nutshell, this is the piece of advice she’d like to impart to other starry-eyed, star-struck wannabes out there. "Never lose hope," she intones. "Always love your job. Always give your best. Always give your all."

Great Image Campaign

Great Image Digital Photo Shop garnered two awards in a month’s time – Top Photo & Digital Imaging Company of the Year at the 21st Annual Year-Ender Excellence Awards held last February at the AFP Theater and Number One Photo Services (National) from the National Shopper’s Choice Annual Awards 2004 also held last February at the Dusit Hotel.

Recognized for its excellence in product quality, company reputation, brand recognition and consumer service, Great Image has lined-up a number of great surprises, promos and perks for its valued customers for the whole year.

Great Image is one of the pioneers in the photo and digital industry. It is known for its excellent, professional, reliably fast and creative photography services with 25 branches all over Luzon (in all SM Malls, Robinsons, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Riverbanks Center and Market! Market! in Taguig) and four company owned Picture! Picture!

Great Image continues to advance its professional and excellent photo services to the public. Among the services offered by Great Image are family portraits, child photography, graduation photos, school/corporate photography, ID/passport, glamour shots, reproduction/restoration of old photos, enlargements and photo and video coverage for all occasions.

For this year, Great Image is launching its graduation campaign "Minsan Lang To, Walang Take Two." As the graduation season comes, it is important to capture this great milestone through pictures. And the best way to have a picture-perfect graduation photo is to have it taken by Great Image.

Among the previous awards given to Great Image are: 2003 Consumer’s Choice Awards Most Outstanding Photo Studio by the Consumers’ League of the Philippines; 2004 Buyer’s Choice Awards Most Outstanding Photo Studio; 2004 Consumers Excellence Awards Outstanding Photo and Digital Imaging Company by the Consumers League of the Philippines; 2004 Consumers Choice Awards Most Outstanding Photo Studio; and 2004 Philippine Business Excellence Awards No. 1 Photo Studio by the Awards and Recognition Association of the Philippines.