Ruffa: My daughters are priceless!

Curtain-raisers:

• The “in” initials these days seem to be DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid). The family of an unnamed (well, as far as The STAR is concerned) actor is demanding for a DNA test to make sure that he is, indeed, the father of a baby due to be delivered by a young actress late this year. A macho actor is also demanding for the same DNA test to find out if he’s really the father of his estranged wife’s eight-year-old child. It usually happens when a girl is involved with not just one guy.

• Wondering why Maricel Soriano is so scarce these days, a no-show during the preliminary investigation into the complaints filed against her by her two maids? A Funfare DPA said that she could be in Europe (Belgium, The Netherlands?). When she gets back, let’s hope that Maricel shall have recharged herself and size up the situation from a clearer perspective.

• This picture is so funny that I am tempted to call it “Happy Yipee Yehey Yuck!!!” It shows John Prats kissing his crush, HYY co-host Bianca Manalo, when teased by co-hosts Rico J. Puno and Pokwang to do it. It was a “long-distance” kiss, done on split-screen yesterday, with Bianca at the studio and John in San Juan for the Ikaw ang Bida remote coverage. Reader is asking, “Why is John attracted to beauty queens far taller than he is (he was also rumored to have gone steady with willowy Miss Earth Karla Henry from Cebu)? He should pick someone his size.”

* * *

Reacting to her ex-husband Yilmaz Bektas offer to give her $2M to have their daughters Lorin and Venice live with him in Istanbul, Ruffa Gutierrez vehemently said, “No deal. My daughters are priceless!”

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court last March handed down the decision that Yilmaz claimed in an e-mail to Funfare “is unfair to me because I wasn’t given fair treatment” under Philippine laws.

The decision stated that Yilmaz could have visitation rights and Ruffa said, okay, Yilmaz can see Lorin and Venice anytime — “In the US or in the Philippines, welcome naman siya dito anytime, but not in Istanbul. Dapat pagdating sa mga anak ko, walang perang pinag-uusapan. If ever, there should be a written letter saying that they’d be gone for two weeks and then they’d come back. Okey sa akin ang ganoon.”

Ruffa Gutierrez on Yilmaz Bektas: A reconciliation may not be possible anymore, but I want our relationship to be okay

Asked if, just IF, a reconciliation between her and Yilmaz is (evenly remotely) possible, Ruffa said, “Matagal na siyang humihingi ng ganoon, but it cannot be naman na sa telepono lang. Besides, it has been four years; it’s too late. I’m okay now, I’m happily single. I also like that our relationship will be okay but first he should prove that I can trust him again.”

Beyond that, Ruffa didn’t want to say anything more.

“The reason why I’m meeting you (the media) is not to talk about my personal affairs but my charity bazaar for children, called Ruffa’s Red Carpet, which will be held on Aug. 19 and 20 (Friday and Saturday), 1 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Newport Mall (Resorts World Manila).”

Ruffa said that she’s inviting 25 of her celebrity friends to rent booths (P10,000 per day). Donations are also welcome.

“I have so much stuff to sell,” said Ruffa. “Dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. It will be a tiangge-style project. Idea namin ni Tim Yap. It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do these past two years kaya lang palaging napo-postpone.”

Last June 18, Ruffa kicked off her series of birthday celebrations with a visit to the Baseco Compound near North Harbor where World Vision runs a day-care center. She was with her daughters and Royale Artists Management artists Ehra Madrigal, James Blanco and Bubbles Paraiso, and former beauty queen Reham Snow Tago, Azkals Simon Greatwich and James Rochlitz, and other friends.

Still active is her Roof-A-Child project which she put up in 1993 when she won Second Princess in the Miss World contest.

What’s up?

• From Noel Ferrer: Because of the strong box-office showing (and critical success, too) of the movie Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me, the Cinemalaya New Breed entry of my company (with Jerry Gracio and Erick Salud), the CCP has opened another screening tomorrow, July 24, at 10 a.m. The movie stars Edgar Allan Guzman and Mercedes Cabral. Tickets available at the CCP box office.

• From Anna Co Puno: Dear Friends, our dear brother Felix Co is now finally at peace with our Creator in his final dwelling place. His remains are at Capilla Del Señor of Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati City until July 25.

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