A 'fire and ice' birthday for Ruffa

I have known Ruffa Gutierrez since she was 13 years old. It really is nice that, after all these years, we are still very much in touch. Ruffa loves celebrating her birthday and people love going to her party. Since so many of her friends and family know each other, her birthday celebration becomes a mini reunion of sorts. 

Recently, Ruffa was given a birthday celebration at Aracama at The Fort by Dr. Vicki Belo and her daughter Cristalle Belo-Henares.

The entrance of Aracama (by chef Fernando Aracama) was designed with roses forming a huge letter B (for Belo). It was the unmistakable mark that I was in the right place. I was actually one of the first to arrive. The minute I arrived, Ruffa sent me a text message that she was 10 minutes away.

Years of friendship and a successful partnership between Ruffa and Belo have made this party an annual tradition. My good friend and top corporate imaging consultant Jojie Dingcong conceptualized the event with the assistance of Ruffa’s younger brother Raymond Gutierrez and Marilen Nunez. Floral designer Robert Blancaflor did an amazing job with the décor and the flowers.

Aracama was accentuated with glass and crystal furniture. Red peonies and tulips were perfect for the night’s theme, “Fire and Ice.” There was even a seven-foot-tall Swarovski crystal tree in the venue. Guests were asked to come in white or red.

An audiovisual presentation showing Ruffa’s Habitat for Humanity project in Payatas and the relaunch of her Roof-A-Child Foundation was played on screen. Ruffa made her grand entrance in a white gown. Cristalle hosted the event with Raymond. 

The food was also planned by Jojie. Aracama had four food stations: a salad bar, a fresh lumpia bar, a hot noodle bar and a prichon (fried lechon) bar. Ruffa’s mom Annabelle Rama had the lechon flown in from Cebu. Drinks were overflowing.

The party also introduced Belo Medical Group’s new application, BELOfied App. Guests played “doctor” by “belofying” their photos. Check out the Mac App store to download it.

The “fire and ice” night was a fun party. Ruffa, the former beauty queen, is as tough as ice and as hot as fire, the essence of a Belo beauty. Happy birthday, Ruffa!

Making life better for others

Around 12,000 runners recently showed up early in the morning at Bonifacio Global City for Fila’s Run for School Rooms. The run was aimed to raise funds for the rehabilitation of classrooms in Iligan City through the Kapuso Foundation.

TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva led the gun start and awarding ceremonies. Fila’s Cris and Butch Albert were joined by Fila endorsers Georgina Wilson, Borgy Manotoc, STAR’s Tim Yap and the newest addition to the Fila family, Fabio Ide. Issa Litton hosted the affair while Acel Van Omen capped the event with some songs.

The turnout was massive despite the slight drizzle. Coach Jose Andes, Athletes In Action’s national director, said, “Any work that makes life better for others is worth doing, no matter how demanding it may be.”

Edith Mendoza, Huper International CEO and managing director, said, “In our coming together, united by our desire to help Iligan get back on its feet, we have taken a giant step to the city’s recovery.”

The event was supported by Sony, Gardenia, Pocari Sweat, OraCare, Soyami Healthy Chips, Mentos, Milcu, Treelizer, Air Conserve, Paramount Life and General Insurance Corp. and the Bonifacio Estate Services Corp.