Ruffa Gutierrez, now TV5 contract artist

It is popular belief that the reason Ruffa Gutierrez is turning her back on ABS-CBN, her home for the last three years, and moving over to TV5 is because she has been offered a talent fee three times higher (or even more) than what she has been receiving at the Kapamilya network.

In her recent press conference held at Annabel’s, Ruffa declined to mention any amount but said “I’m very, very happy with my talent fee, but huwag na natin sabihin ang amount.” Of course, she left ABS-CBN not only for this “because at the end of the day, it’s not only money that matters. I also want to grow as an actress and host. This is going to be a big challenge for me, to leave ABS-CBN, my fans and viewers of my shows there, but I hope they’re also going to watch me in my TV5 shows.”

She has to work hard for the future of her children, she added, choked with emotion as she said “alam niyo naman na I’m a single mom…”

Ruffa also said “nagpaalam naman ako nang maayos sa mga bosses ng ABS-CBN. My mother (Annabelle Rama) wrote a letter and then talked to Ms. Charo Santos and Ms. Cory Vidanes about my resignation, and they understood naman. Nalungkot din sila just like me. I thank them for giving me projects since 2007, I’m really very grateful to the network. I’m going to miss working with Boy, Kris, Ai Ai, Bea, John Lloyd and all those I’ve worked with…” Ruffa said “I will always have the highest respect for Boy and Kris. Our friendship will remain. They wish me good luck in my new endeavor.”

Ruffa and her mom, who is also her manager, signed a three-year non-exclusive contract with TV5. In the welcome presscon that TV5 tendered for the actress-beauty queen, Perci Intalan, the network’s head of creative, said “it is with excitement that we welcome Ruffa Gutierrez to TV5.”

He added that the first time Ruffa guested on the network, “the creative team was impressed,” and that started it.

“I’m very honored to become one of the contract artists of TV5,” Ruffa said. She described Manny V. Pangilinan, head of the aggressive network, as “a visionary and a savvy businessman who has the ability to make the network grow. I can proudly say that under him TV5 will be a network to reckon with…” She added: “It’s nice to grow with a company that has so much hope and so much plans and vision, such as going HD, and a whole lot more. Ang sarap maging parte ng malaking plan na ‘yon, at nakakataba ng puso na isa ako sa mga unang artist that was signed up by TV5.”

Ruffa’s own talk show

Ruffa’s first prominent appearance on TV5 happened last Saturday, when she was judge (talent scout) in the finals of “Talentadong Pinoy Battle of Champions.” She will be a regular talent scout of the show which has been dubbed the “No. 1 Talent Show ng Bayan.” Soon (middle of this month), she will start her own talk-show, entitled “Paparazzi.” Interestingly and intriguingly, she will be in the company of Cristy Fermin and DJ Mo Twister who were reported to be at odds in the past. Ruffa herself and Cristy Fermin weren’t also in good terms for sometime.

Well, as has always been said and as Ruffa reiterated, in show business, there are no permanent friends or enemies. “It’s a big merry-go-round ang show business.” “Paparazzi” will be pitted against “The Buzz” and GMA-7’s “Showbiz Central” of which her brother Raymond is one of the main hosts.

Aside from “Paparazzi,” Ruffa will also be given shows that will showcase her acting skills in drama and comedy, Perci said.

Kris apologizes to Ruffa

Meanwhile, Ruffa Gutierrez walked out from “The Buzz” last Sunday after she was offended by Kris Aquino’s remarks on Ruffa’s move to leave ABS-CBN.

While “The Buzz” was ongoing, Annabelle Rama was interviewed by Pia Guanio on rival talk show “Showbiz Central.” Ruffa’s mother and manager unleashed a mouthful against Kris saying that Ruffa should have held her ground long ago.

Annabelle told Pia, “Ako, nanay ako. Ako, nagdurugo ang puso ko kapag si Ruffa umiyak na sa bahay. Pag-uwi ng bahay ni Ruffa, umiyak na ‘yan sa’kin sabi, ‘Ma, binabara na naman ako ni Kris.’ Siya nga lagi kong inaaway, ‘Bakit hindi ka lumalaban Ruffa? Bakit hindi ka lumalaban sa Kris Aquino na ‘yan? Sino ba siya?’ Hindi pa nga nanalo ‘yung kapatid niya ang yabang-yabang na niya! What more kung mananalo ‘yang si Noynoy, lalong ang buong showbiz aapi-apihin niya. Hindi naman tama ‘yung ganyan!”

Kris later addressed the issue saying, “I had dinner with Noy tonight after his TV shoot. He told me di raw ba pwede na may quiet Sunday kami? And he asked why siya nadamay when he’s not even part of Buzz. I would like to extend a loving hug to Ruffa. I viewed the tape and although I still feel I gave my comment with affection, maybe it made her feel even worse because she’s now moving in a new direction. We had what I believed was a good working relationship in the almost two years we were together on the Buzz.”

She added, “I can also understand that Ruffa’s mom dislikes Noynoy and my family, maybe because of (our)  association and our proclamation of admiration for Dingdong (Dantes, considered showbiz rival of Richard Gutierrez) and his selfless contribution to help Noy’s presidential bid. It is with Ruffa that I enjoyed a healthy relationship with and I have only good words to say about her. To Ruffa, I sincerely apologize for causing you hurt. My brother Noynoy would like to add that we live in a democracy – one where we are very free to make our own choice for president.”

* * *
What Councilor Inton did for the industry

He is not a movie personality but Quezon City Councilor Ariel Enrile Inton, Jr. but he has done a lot for the movie industry. Alarmed by the long-time slump in movie production, he proposed an amendment to the Quezon City Revenue Code imposing a 15 percent share from the gross income of movies.

Councilor Inton successfully abolished the amusement tax in favor of the movie producers via an ordinance called “Zero % Amusement Tax.” Inton ordinance would mean more jobs for the small movie workers, more jobs for actors in its collective form and more entertainment for the general public. This prompted the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and other entities to recognize Councilor Inton for this and other measures he has initiated to help uplift the movie industry.

Also working hand in hand with Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) executive director Ms. Boots Anson-Roa, Councilor Inton has helped twice in raising funds for the foundation. The QC Council, through the Inton ordinance, imposed a one-peso increase in movie tickets in Quezon City theaters to be given to Mowelfund. Reportedly, the collection now amounts to almost a million pesos.

Also through Councilor Inton’s initiative, the short street that connects Jamboree St. to EDSA where GMA Network is, is now called “GMA Network Drive.” Also, a portion of the street connecting N. Domingo St. and Santolan Road where Sampaguita Pictures and Vera-Perez Productions are located is now called Jose O. Vera, in honor of the grandfather of Mrs. Marichu P. Maceda and Mrs. Gina de Venecia.

German “Kuya Germs” Moreno also sought Councilor Inton’s help in reviving the “City of Stars” project that was apparently taken for granted by the City Government. Councilor Inton filed a resolution propagating Quezon City as the “City of Stars” that was originally proposed by then councilor Dingdong Avanzado in 1998. The ordinance obliges all radio and TV stations and entertainment establishments to propagate QC as the “City of Stars.”

Believing that the youth of QC can fulfill their dreams of becoming movie stars in the future, Councilor Inton also put up an acting workshop called “Shining Stars Acting Workshop.” The aspiring stars were trained by top directors like Celso Ad Castillo, Maning Borlaza, Mel Chionglo, Tony Reyes, Soxie Topacio and the late Rudy Meyer. Krissa Mae Arrieta of GMA Artist Center is a product of the workshop. Councilor Inton also organized a group called Himig Ariel Scholars, now performing in different barangays in QC.

* * *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 10, go to John Lesaca, TJ Manotoc, Mrs. Lourdes Cruz, Fred Panopio, Rosanna Marquez, Pete Dacuycuy, Erlinda “Ada” T. Santiago, Alexc Estrada, Nelson Gumatay, Julia Barretto of Star Magic and JC de Vera.