The face of the new generation of empowered women, Ruffa Gutierrez tells us how being a responsible mom has brought her closer to her real self and her dream home

Story Jose Paolo dela Cruz Photography Sara Black Art direction Marci Delfin Styling Bea Constantino Set styling Vanna Malvaiz Makeup Varda Atienza Hair Jeff Aromin

Everything about Ruffa Gutierrez, at least on the day of this interview, is a far cry from the goddess everyone sees on billboards and TV. There are no fancy dresses (yet). Her hair is wet from a fresh shower, taken not too long ago. She doesn’t even have makeup on. And while this former beauty queen and mother of two still looks as young and beautiful as ever, one cannot help but wonder if all vanity has finally deserted her.

It hasn’t. She was just too busy the night before. And the many days and nights before it.

“My career at the moment is really on the go. I think it’s booming and the blessings I’m receiving are definitely beyond what I expected when I first came back from Istanbul three years ago,” says Ruffa, as she sits on the makeup chair with her hair dripping slightly. True enough, much of her work can be seen on TV5, where she’s part of the network’s top shows. She plays host to showbiz talk show Pinoy Paparazzi, celebrity judge to reality talent search Talentadong Pinoy, and recently, leading lady in her very own Five Star Drama anthology. Add to that her stellar billing in the Jose Javier Reyes movie Working Girls, and it’s quite easy to conclude that this celebrity-extraordinaire has never been more in demand.

But just like many other successful celebs, Ruffa admits that she too takes the good with the bad. She is often forced to sacrifice some aspects of her personal life, especially quality time with the ones she loves—her daughters Lorin and Venice.

“I’m very busy. I’m very tired. I don’t really get to spend as much time with the kids, but they know naman that I’m doing this for our future,” says Ruffa. To make up for lost time, she tries her best to do small things with Lorin and Venice. For instance, she personally tucks her daughters in at night, and sleeps with them on the same bed.

Ruffa describes this as a beautiful experience, both simple and overflowing with love. Scarce as they may be though, it is these fleeting moments of happiness that fuel Ruffa’s ambition whenever she feels worn out or beaten down.


Get more of Ruffa Gutierrez’ dream home in Celebrity Living, June-July 2010 Issue.