Ruffa Gutierrez

MANILA, Philippines — Ruffa Guttierez’s latest billboard where she’s seen lolling on the sand seems so relaxed and spontaneous that few would guess it took delivering on tall orders to achieve it.

In an interview for her endorsement of BodyTite of Belo clinic, the former Miss World winner shared with Bulletin Entertainment and other members of the press how she prepared for and finally became confident again to pose in a bikini. According to the actress, the last time she donned skimpy beach wear for the cameras was in her 20’s back in the ‘90s.

“I didn’t eat tapsilog for a month at iniwasan ko talaga ang desserts. Mahirap yon, ha, kasi hilig ko ‘yung dalawa pero, yun na nga, kailangan magsacrifice if you want to achieve the kind of body that you want,” she began.

The photo, which will be used for Belo billboards, entailed a lot of dedication to details. Though shot in Manila, the sand came all the way from Boracay because Ruffa wanted “white sand---ayoko ng maitim!” She also asked Resortwear Designer Charina Sarte to make her a one-of-a-kind bikini “kasi ayoko ng may kapareho.”

For the photo session itself, Ruffa had her hair lightened and her top “sprayed to peach” by Sarte. She also got an artificial tan because she doesn’t relish achieving the color the old fashioned way because “nakakasira ng balat pag nagbilad.”

Ruffa admits that she “ate” her words in undergoing BodyTite or what is known as Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL). She said that for the longest time, she resisted having an invasive procedure to lose fats even in “stubborn” parts of her body.

“Pero syempre I’m in my 30’s now so kailangan na ng konting tulong especially at---aminin na natin---nagkaroon ako ng konting laylay sa panganagnak,” she said.

The TV host-actress refers to loose skin in her tummy, which, she said, won’t go away even if she exercises herself to death.

“Kahit na mag-Bikram Yoga o Biometric pa ako the whole day, nabanat na yung skin from giving birth kaya mahirap na ‘yun mawala ng through pagpapagod lang.”

She denied speculations that she had her faced “touched.” She revealed that she had once asked Dr. Vicki Belo if she could get botox for her crow’s-feet, but the latter advised against it.

“Si Dra. kasi ‘yung tipong if it’s not broken, hindi niya ipapa-fix,” Ruffa said.

She added, which sent the press laughing, “Buti na din kasi at least may expression pa ‘yung mukha ko na nagagamit ko ngayon sa mga soap operas ko.”

Then another revelation: Ruffa once mulled having a breast reduction!

“Ang uso na kasi ngayon para totally payat ka, flat-chested. ‘Di na uso ang big boobs---it’s so gross!”

However, she skipped the idea because…

“They have to slightly open your nipple tapos…I’m sorry, I’m just trying to use the medically correct term!” she exclaimed, cutting herself short after seeing everyone around her in stitches.

When explained to her that the incision is not necessarily made in the nipples, Ruffa held her ground.

“Ayoko pa din kasi wala nga akong hiwa. Kaya nga tiniis ko na normal ang panganganak ko para walang hiwa, tapos ngayon pa ba naman ako magkakaron nun?

“Eh, hello, balak ko pa naman magasawa one day or magka-partner. Baka pag makita niya yung hiwa ko, maloka siya at biglang um-escape!”

BodyTite is an invasive procedure for body contouring and removing unwanted loose skin. It uses radio frequency (rf) energy applied over the skin and into the fat layer to allow simultaneous lipolysis and skin tightening. The patient who undergoes BodyTite can be mobile a day after surgery.