“I’m really excited to be managed by Arnold as we’ve been friends for the longest time,” she says. “We talked and I saw that we have the same vision on where I want to go in my career. I really need a manager who’d push me into new directions. Before this, he talked to my mom and they agreed about Arnold’s plans for me. With them joining forces, I’m confident that only good things will come out of this partnership. I also want to thank the entertainment press who’ve been supporting me all these years since I joined showbiz when I was 13 years old up to now that I’m already 25. Joke!” she laughs.
We heard Arnold will also be managing her two daughters, Lorin and Venice Bektas. “Yes. Lorin is 14 and Venice is 13. But I want them to focus muna on doing TV commercials, endorsements. Ayoko muna ng acting na may ka-love team kasi sa ganyan nag-uumpisa ang lahat dahil laging kayong dalawa ang magkasama, e. I should know! And I’m glad kasi they themselves prefer to give priority to their education. I’m working hard for them kasi hindi maliit ang bayad sa international schools where they study and I’m a single working mom.”
Does this mean she doesn’t get help from their dad? “The last time he sent something was peanuts from Istanbul. And $2,000. Sobrang tagal na noon. Ayoko namang humingi kasi kung gusto niya talaga magpadala, it should be voluntary. Sabi ng mommy ko, huwag ka nang humingi kasi maayos naman na ang buhay mo. Besides, the court says I have sole custody of my kids so ako na ang bahalang magpaaral sa kanila.”
She’s just happy that “It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” is doing fine and she is now regular seen in “Eat Bulaga”. “The 5th season of ‘It Takes Gutz’ is really doing well. We’re very successful in various regions at number one na kami sa E channel. Season 6 is now in the works! Abangan nyo pala sa Monday at 8:30 PM kasi may pasabog kami sa show. Tiyak na maraming magugulat kasi ako mismo, nagulat sa nakita ko, so don’t miss it. About ‘Eat Bulaga’, I really want to thank Sir Tony Tuviera kasi guest lang ako sa Jackpot en Poy portion, e nag-click, so nagpabalik-balik na ako roon twice a week. Now, every where I go, when people see me, they say Ruffaree, 1 2, 3 go! Ginagaya ako. Grabe talaga ang reach ng ‘Eat Bulaga’ and I’m happy to be now a semi-regular in the show. I’m truly glad sa exposure ko roon kasi nakita ng mga tao na hindi lang ako pasosyal na pa-Ingles-Ingles kundi puede rin akong pang-masa.”
How about acting? Is she willing to do contravida roles like what her contemporary Aiko Melendez is portraying in “Wildflower”? “Okay lang naman magkontrabida kasi I’ve played an elegant villain before sa ‘Betty La Fea’. Ayoko lang nung pumapatay ng tao. Gusto ko yung may redeeming value. But I’m so happy for my Kumareng Aiko kasi magaling siya at pumayat na siya, ha.”
What will be her role in the wedding of her brother Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati? “Wala pa namang definite plans. I think matagal pa yun kasi Chard just made a comeback and aside from ‘Luna Sangre’, he’s doing two new movies. And Sarah is also busy so uunahin muna nila ang careers nila. But I’m very excited for Sarah to be officially a part of the Gutierrez family.”
