Rufa Mae is proud of what she has achieved after almost 10 years in the business. "I’m thankful, because all these years, despite the competition, hindi pa rin ako nawawala sa eksena," she says. "Ibig sabihin lang talaga, they can never put a good woman down."
The good thing about Rufa Mae is that she willingly shares her blessings with others – particularly other members of her family, which include her stepbrothers and sisters. Other people may not know it, but Rufa Mae has been supporting her stepsiblings for more than 10 years, after her stepfather, supposedly a Chinese businessman, disappeared from the scene. They have never heard from him since then. Rufa Mae has four half-siblings on her mother’s side and three on her father’s side. Her mother does not work, so Rufa Mae has virtually been the family’s breadwinner.
She does not resent the fact at all. "Mababait naman ang mga kapatid ko. They are there anytime I need them. Naaasahan ko kahit paano," she says. One of them finished Fine Arts at UP, and another is now a company member of the world-famous Ballet Philippines. Another has a manpower business. Yet another drives for Rufa Mae occasionally. The two youngest are still in school.
That is one of the reasons why Rufa Mae is still not married. "Gusto ko muna ayusin ang family ko," says the versatile actress.
As for her stepfather, Rufa Mae has no idea what happened to him. According to her, she has no interest in finding out his whereabouts, because her earnings from showbiz – while not astronomical have so far managed to cover most of the family’s expenses. The only reason she wants to find him is for her stepsiblings. "Hindi lang naman kasi sa financial siya kailangan, eh," she says. "I hope he shows himself to them so he can guide them. If he really wants to show up, I’m easy to find."
After putting her family’s affairs in order and making sure her mother and siblings are properly provided for, Rufa Mae’s next priority is herself. She recently bought a house in the Ortigas area (which she is still paying for on installment basis) and is now in the process of furnishing it. Does her sudden desire to own a house have anything to do with the reportedly rekindled romance between her and basketball star Rudy Hatfield?
Rufa Mae confirms that yes, the two of them are back in each other’s arms. They were together for five years before Rufa Mae guested on The Buzz to announce their break-up. "It was one of the reasons," says Rufa Mae of the controversy surrounding Fil-Ams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). "I was really confused at that time. We didn’t know if Rudy would have to leave for the US, and if he’ll come back here to play basketball."
Their reunion happened when Rufa Mae traveled to the US for the launch of GMA’s Pinoy TV. Rudy was in the US, having gone there to visit his family. He left Manila June 28. While there, he continued to text and call Rufa Mae, and when she went to San Francisco for the Pinoy TV launch, she and Rudy met, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now that they are back in each other’s arms, all is right with Rufa Mae’s world. Will they be getting married soon? Rufa Mae admits that yes, they have talked about it – marriage was actually a subject the two of them had discussed even when they were together the first time – but she still worries about her family. Rudy, who is very close to Rufa Mae’s family, understands that and fully supports her. "Of course, when I get married, my priority will be the family I will start someday. Kaya gusto ko maiayos muna sila," she says of her family.
Rufa Mae is one star who really knows how to count her blessings. And if what God has given her so far is any indication, those blessings will just keep on coming.