Ruffa Gutierrez

Ruffa Gutierrez has appealed to people especially the entertainment press to stop insinuating that she has a relationship with some politicians, especially presidential contender Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Makati Councilor Jun-Jun Binay.

There had been rumors linking her to them and which the beauty queen actress considers unfair and baseless, especially with Sen. Aquino who is into a relationship with a lady councilor.

As to Councilor Jun-Jun Binay, Ruffa appealed more strongly, “please, no more teasing. The slightest insinuation that there is something going on between us is not nice at all. It’s not only disrespectful to the memory of his dear departed wife, but it’s not true at all,” the said.”I’ve only met him once and spoken just a few words with him when I went to register as a voter in Makati.

Ruffa related that a few days ago, coming from a shooting for the “Shake, Rattle & Roll” episode “Ukay-Ukay” she brought her daughter Lorin to school and along the way, she asked the girl who her favorite classmates are. Lorin mentioned a few names and then when she heard Lorin say “she died,” a drowsy and stunned Ruffa drew to attention.

Ruffa asked who died and Lorin said, “her mom. Alexi’s mom died, Mommy. Alexi Binay. She is seven years old, one year older than me. My classmate at Repertory Philippines, remember?” “That’s so sad, Lorin, why what happened to her?” Lorin said “She died while giving birth three months ago. She had to choose between saving her own life and her baby’s life. She chose her baby’s life. Alexi’s was beautiful, with long hair. Her grandpa is Mayor Jejomar Binay. Isn’t that so sad, Mommy?”

Ruffa texted Jun Lalin: “My conversation with Lorin may mean nothing to you but it left me speechless and in tears. So I’d like to appeal for all the teasing with me and Councilor Binay to stop.” She added: “Being a celebrity and public figure, there will always be speculations about my personal life which I’m trying to keep private. This much I can share: I am super happy now with my life, work and most especially with my angels. I am whole and happy on my own...”

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Audie Gemora leads cast of the celebrated musical ‘Sweeney Todd’

The celebrated Tony Award-winning musical “Sweeney Todd” opens Nov. 14 through Dec. 13, 2009 at the Onstage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

“It is a dream role for me,” said Audie Gemora who is playing the lead role. Audie, a veteran stage actor, is a juror of the now popular talent show, “Talentadong Pinoy” on TV5.

“I’m so fulfilled,” added Audie. “I am so glad that Baby Barredo entrusted to me the role. In fact, the director did not even require me to go through an audition. The role was given to me on a silver platter.”

Michael Williams co-direct the stage musical with Baby Barredo.

“Sweeney Todd” opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre on March 1, 1979. It ran for 557 performances.

Repertory Philippines stages the local production of “Sweeney Todd, and aside from Audie Gemora (Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd), the musical includes, for the other major roles, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Mrs. Lovett), Robbie Guevara (Beadle), Roger Chua (Judge Turpin) and newcomers Lena Mckenzie (Johanna), and Franco Laurel (Anthony).

Lending musical support is Gerard Salonga, with the FILharmoniKa.

“Sweeney Todd” is a 1979 Tony-winning musical featuring the music and lyrics by musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim, and book by Hugh Wheeler. It was based on the 1973 play “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” by Christopher Bond.

On Nov. 3, 2005, a scaled-down production on Broadway featuring Michael Cerveris (Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd) and Patti LuPone (Mrs. Lovett) opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre and it ran for 384 performances.

Stage actor stalwart Audie Gemora said: “When I perform on stage, I become a creator because I give life to the character I am playing.”

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo has been acting on stage for the last 25 years. She starred in the local productions of “West Side Story,” “Camelot,” “The King and I,” and “Evita,” among others.

Menchu had earlier played in “Sweeney Todd” as the young girl, Johanna, in 1982. Now, she plays the rather weird Mrs. Lovett. She finds it as a major challenge, as she described it as if she was coming from the cold.

On his part, Audie described the stage musical as the classic masterpiece of Sondheim. “It’s the Olympics for actors. It has to be performed with precision. The ear has to be trained for its particular type of music. The challenge is to bring the listener to that space where the dissonance is actually harmony!”

The other members of the cast are Marvin Ong, Meynard Peñalosa, Juno Henares, and the chorus members composed of Joy Virata, Raul Montesa, Rem Zamora, Cara Barredo, Naths Everett, Oliver Usison, Jay Glorioso, Red Concepcion, Teenee Chan, Marisse Santos, Ring Antonio, James Stacey, Jejie Esguerra, Hans Ekstein, Jay Pangilinan, David Cruz, Gary Junsay, Collins Gutierrez, Gloria Sicam and Rona Guba.

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‘Sine Sindak at Eastwood’

Cinema One, in celebration of its 15th anniversary, gave recently avid viewers an early halloween treat dubbed as “Sine Sindak at Eastwood!”

Two horror films were shown: The Cinema One Original “Yanggaw” starring Urian Best Actor Ronnie Lazaro, multi-awarded Tetchie Agbayani and Joel Torre; and “Shake, Rattle and Roll 25K final segment “Lihim ng San Joaquin” starring Tanya Garcia, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Noni Buencamino, Ronnie Lazaro and Pen Medina.

Kapamilya stars and celebrities who braved the night were Megan Young, Joem Bascon, Victor Basa, Dimples Romana, PFF’s Ram Sagad, Mark Abaya, Isabel Roces, Brent Javier and featured film “Yanggaw’s” cast and crew including director Richard Somes and actors Ronnie Lazaro and Aleera Montalla.

Aside from these two spine tingling films, three of the hottest Pinoy bands – MYMP, Duster, and Sandwich – rendered hair-tickling performances while guests were able to play cool games with the celebrities. Comedians Tuesday Vargas and John Lapus brought the house down with their hosting.

An added bonus was also free fortune-telling and tarot card-reading for those who bought issues of select ABS-CBN Publishing magazines.

For more updates and information on other upcoming events, tune in to Cinema One available on SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operations nationwide.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 7 go to Mrs. Choleng Hipolito, Gen. Ernesto Mata, Alice Bernal, Vallirie Galvez, Chaze Sanculi, Coke Nicolas, Aida Fandalian, Roberto Castro, Erwin S. Tagle, Rommel S. Gumatay, Annabel Santiago, Dennis Odesma, Maricar de Mesa, Mickie Joy Hyatt of Star Magic and Ms. Carol Matsuda of Networld Hotel.