Just ask multitalented Rufa Mae Quinto who knows this truth by heart. During her elementary years at a public school, she remembered receiving only R5 for her daily allowance which she usually spent on public school delicacies like turon, sago and gulaman and even flavored ice cone called on the streets as "scrambol." Compared to her brother, who was at the same grade level as she was, her allowance was R15 less than her brother’s. Now who would expect that years after, when she joined showbiz, she would become a millionaire?

"Kasi nga nasa public school ako. Kaya raw nasa public ako sabi ng nanay ko Grade 1 pa lang ako mahina na ako," shared Rufa laughing over lunch at Cafe Ten Titas in Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center in Cubao. "Tamad lang daw kasi ako. Mas mahilig ako noon na mag-patintero, syato, tumbang preso. Talagang ibang level ako noon."

Today Rufa has also earned the reputation of being in a league all her own, in an extraordinary level as an actress, stand-up comedian, singer, TV host and even as a businesswoman.

Just recently, she proved her mettle as a multi-tasking artist when she successfully mounted her so-called "1st Major-General Concert" at the Aliw Theater entitled "Bombshell Unleashed." She wasn’t only the star of the show because she produced it, marketed it, sold tickets and booked her special guests.

Her concert’s "major-general" success has already spawned a repeat tentatively scheduled this August and it will be at the Mall of Asia. And who knows, it could even become a series of shows that would even tour the country or even abroad.

"I’m very happy with the support I’ve gotten from my colleagues, the press and my fans. My show was successful because of them," exclaimed Rufa.

Rufa counts her Aliw Theater major solo concert as one of her many blessings from God this year. The ratings of her sitcom with Senator Bong Revilla "Hokus Pokus" has suddenly gone high and insiders from the show have tagged her as the show’s lucky charm!

"Right now I need to focus more on my career because I feel I have a very big responsibility as an actress. I think I’ve matured because before I could not say this," giggled Rufa.

She recalled that a big part of her life was pegged on her love life. But she has gotten tired of this angle and now she would like to be known more because of her talent.

"Hay naku, bahala na sila. Now since I’ve been working with the best directors, actors, performers and producers in the country, nakakahiya naman if I don’t give 110% effort in anything I work on," she explained.

She’s very grateful and proud of the prime artists she worked with in her recent concert. They were Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Janno Gibbs, the UP Concert Chorus, Teri Onor and John Lapus. Even the costume designers she worked with were topnotch like Eric Pineda, Arielle Agasang and Paul Cabral.

Rufa’s movie projects this year includes "Oh My Ghost" under OctoArts Films under the direction of Tony Reyes who helmed "Enteng Kabisote" into a box-office hit. She will be working with Marvin Agustin, Allan K, Pinoy Big Brother’s Uma and Carlos Agassi. In "Oh My Ghost" she plays a woman who was gang raped and whose soul is haunting the people involved. She will also be doing "First Time" (just a working title) which is a sex comedy. There’s also a movie in the works with her and Bb. Joyce Bernal who her in directed "Masikip na Dibdib."

Though it was reported that she would do the big screen version of the comic book heroine Zsa Zsa Zaturnah, that plan would not push through anymore.

"I don’t think I can do it anymore because of my schedule. Marami lang akong gagawin this year," she said.

What’s lacking now for Rufa is her Prince Charming which she hopes would come soon. She says that now that she’s 28 years old she can’t help but also think about her future as a wife and mother.

"Sometimes I get lonely at night too. I think it’s a woman thing," she lamented.

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Noted and awarded director Augusto "Totoy" Buenaventura passed on last June 2 at the Chinese General Hospital. He was 77. He was survived by his wife Julie. Interment will be on June 8 at the La Loma Cemetery.

It is recalled that Totoy directed several movies for then top action star Joseph Estrada. Among the action-drama flicks he directed for JE Productions was "Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa" which won awards. The movie, scripted by Diego Cagahastian, starred Joseph Estrada and Gloria Diaz among others.

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What in coommon between soulsiren Nina and Roselle Nava? They were both honed in a kids’ group Centermates in different time and space. Roselle was a Centermate in the 80’s while Nina was a Centermate in the 90’s.

With Nina and Roselle enjoying a piece of stardom at present, a new batch of Centermates takes off in a unique fashion as it fills a void in the kids’ category in the entertainment genre. Unlike its predecessor, this new generation of Centermates has a CD album that testifies to their artistry and capability.

The new Centermates is composed of 5-song-and-dance kids who can dazzle the young and old alike with their funky steps and movements. They are Cristelle Peig, 12; Caryln Ocampo, 9; Migs Raymundo, 10; Jasmin Salvo, 11; and Randell Panganiban, 11.

Individually, they are all outstanding solo performers in their training at the Center for Pop Music Philippines. Highly impressed on their singing performance, Butch Albarracin CPMP Founder and CEO formed them as a group. As young as they are done major concerts and TV performances to back up their experiences.

Butch Albarracin said, "I believe that stardom is prepared for. And the new Centermates have prepared for it, in terms of vocals, stage performance, spiels delivery, dressing-up and confidence."

Philippine entertainment becomes more exciting as the new Centermates treat music lovers specially kids and the young-at-hearts to their first CD album consisting of infectious, danceable songs that bring out their best form as kids. It is highlighted with its carrrier song "Gusto Kong Kumanta" that describes what these kids like to do with their God-given talents. This catchy melody and engaging rhythm was written for them by Sir Butch Albarracin.

Inspired by the Centermates’ star appeal, Butch Albarracin put up the C4P Records, a division of the Center for Pop Music Philippines, Inc. to discover potential and promising singing talents of his training school. Recording executive Tato Malay is C4P consultant.

Distributed by Galaxy Record, the Galaxy Record, the Centermates promises a sure gold for the kids’ achievements. With their dazzling performance, steps and movements, the Centermates will certainly develop a new kind of audience among the kids’ sector which, until now, remains undeveloped.

As a part of their industry strategy, the Center for Pop Music Philippines recently staged a campus tour in the Centermates’ respective’ schools to test the acceptance of their performance and their CD album among the kid sector. Surprising, the Centermates became instant hits evidenced by wild applause, cheering and feet stomping noise. In fact, a long queue of fans waited for a chance for the kids’ autograph after their performance. Now, grade school kids have found a new group of singing idols who belong to the 9 to 12 age bracket instead of idolizing 20-year-old singing star.

Definitely, the Centermates hits the right entertainment niche at a time when airlanes blare with adult songs leaving children with no other choice but sing what they hear in the radio.

Catch the Centermates’ CD album launching on June 8, at 4 p.m. at the Entertainment Plaza of SM City North EDSA in QC. Guest artist is Nyoy Volante. Show host is Gwyneth Albarracin. Certainly, the Centermates are kids singing for kids.

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Tidbits: Happy b–day greetings today, June 6, go to Monette Flores, Greg Lerma and Criselda ‘Gay" Gloria....Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Larry delos Santos....