Why Ruffa walked out of Buzz

It was her mom, Annabelle Rama, who “ordered” Ruffa Gutierrez to walk out of the ABS-CBN Sunday show The Buzz yesterday while a commercial was being aired (that’s why televiewers didn’t see the walkout), leaving co-hosts Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino to finish the show without hinting that something had gone wrong.

“I have had enough of Kris treating Ruffa badly,” Annabelle told Funfare in a phone interview right after the incident. “Palagi niyang binabara si Ruffa. As a mother, nasasaktan ako. You know Ruffa, she keeps quiet even if she’s already hurting, so I told her, ‘Umalis ka na d’yan!’ I don’t know why Kris was doing it to Ruffa. Now Ruffa will be happier doon sa kabilang channel; walang mang-aapi sa kanya doon.”

Annabelle was referring to TV5 with which Ruffa has just signed a contract for five shows, including co-hosting a showbiz talk show to be called Paparazzi (with, as co-hosts, Cristy Fermin and Mo Twister who was recruited from GMA where he co-hosted Showbiz Central) and resident judge in the station’s top-rater Talentadong Pinoy.

“That’s one of the reasons why I accepted TV5’s offer,” added Annabelle who acts as Ruffa’s manager. “Also, of course, the talent fee was good (far bigger than what Ruffa was getting from ABS-CBN). Ruffa had only one show at ABS-CBN so I requested (the ABS-CBN) management to let her go. She’s a single mom and she’s supporting her two daughters by herself.”

But through her PRO Jun Lalin, Ruffa said that she didn’t really “walk out;” she just went to her dressing room crying because, according to Jun, “she didn’t want ‘to make a scene’ on camera.”

During last Friday’s presscon called by TV5, Ruffa, who was supposed to stay on at ABS-CBN until March 14, said that she left the station with a heavy heart “and lots of tears.” Her move to TV5 should tone down the rumor linking Ruffa to John Lloyd Cruz over whom sources said she’s getting “negative” text messages reportedly from Shaina Magdayao, the other girl linked to John Lloyd.

“But I will remain friends with him,” assured Ruffa whose estranged husband, Yilmaz Bektas, is expected to arrive any day now to visit their daughters Lorin and Venice. “Yilmaz knows everything about me because she reads Funfare on-line,” added Ruffa.

Meanwhile, texted by Funfare for comment, Kris sent the following message: Review the tape if you wish. My comment (about Ruffa) was said with much affection.

Bicol is a cradle of beauties

“The time of the Bicolanas has come,” said “beauty-watcher” Gerry Diaz. “Finally, the beauty of the Bicolanas are being noticed and documented. Bicol is a cradle of beauties.”

Gerry, a BDO executive, is referring to the Bicolanas who have been winning beauty contests, including the just-concluded 2010 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant won by Venus Raj as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, with Diane Recio as first runner-up. Venus is from Bato, Camarines Sur, where Diane, 2009 Miss Iriga, also hails from. The outgoing Bb. Pilipinas-International, Melody Gersbach, is from Legazpi City, Albay. 2009 Mutya ng Pilipinas Jane Banares is also from Legazpi City.

Also beaming with pride is philanthropist Francis Padua Papica, the guy who has been distributing books in schools around the country through his Read To Lead campaign. Venus graduated as a scholar of Francis’ foundation.

“I feel like a very proud dad,” said Francis in an e-mail from L.A. where he is based.

This year’s batch is truly beauty-and-brains which was evident in their smart and intelligent answers during the crucial Q&A.

Pinoy designer in Oscar race

Today’s Oscars (covered live by ABS-CBN) should be interesting to because not one but two Filipinos are in the race, one in the animation category and the other is fashion designer Oliver Tolentino who has been selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences as a finalist to compete in “Oscars Designer Challenge 2010.”

Oliver was chosen from among applicants who submitted design sketches from all across the US. Only nine designers were selected to create one gown for possible appearance on the 2010 Oscar telecast. The winner of the challenge will receive two tickets to attend the show and witness his/her gown being worn on the stage by one of the “trophy girls” who brings the Oscar statuettes to the presenters.

At a press conference and fashion show held today at the Academy’s Beverly Hills headquarters, the nine designers presented their one-of-a-kind gowns before hundreds of members of the international press.

Oliver created an elegant off-white, “green” eco-friendly mermaid gown out of his home country’s native piña (pineapple fabric) and abaca fabrics. The bodice is asymmetrical layered strips of piña accented with Philippine fresh-water pearls all over the neckline. Pearls line the plunging back and extend in an asymmetrical swirl around the waist. The long piña skirt is covered with piña and abaca rosette hand-cutouts, broken up by two concentric strips of accordion-like piña fabric.

“I am trying to promote my home country’s native fabrics wherever I go,” said Oliver. “It promotes an entire industry that employs so many talented, skilled workers. I feel it’s my duty but fortunately it’s also my pleasure and honor to work with piña. I love it and I love seeing the reaction of Westerners when I tell them that piña is pineapple fiber. They are in awe when they hear that and see what elegant gowns can be made from it. It makes me so proud.”

Born in Orani, Bataan, Oliver started his career in the ‘90s in Manila and became the first ever Philippines-based fashion designer to expand into the US when he opened a boutique in the Melrose area, L.A., in July 2009.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)