Ruffa Gutierrez celebrated her 34th birthday recently, and she celebrated it in 2 fabulous bashes. The first was on June 21, in Blue Leaf, Taguig, where Ruffa hosted a chic and fabulous party for 200 guests. It was a gift from Dr. Vicki Belo of BeloMed as Ruffa is its newest endorser. The who’s who and the controversial of Philippine Showbiz attended the event, including stars from the warring networks of GMA nad ABS-CBN. Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez had an animated banter. Richard Gutierrez arrived with leading lady KC Concepcion. Sunshine Cruz was in attendance, minus husband Cesar Montano, in a revealing outfit. Rufa Mae Quinto almost bumped into the couple Jessa Zaragosa and Dingdong Avanzado. Anne Curtis and Sam Milby were almost glued to each other. Several celebs were also spotted such as Ruffa’s bestfriend Donita Rose, brother and Pinoy Idol host Raymond Gutierrez, Marvin Agustin, Geneva Cruz, Rachelle Alejandro, John Estrada and partner former Ms. Earth Priscilla Mereilles, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez, Agot Isidro with hubby Manu Sandejas, etc..It was a glittery glittery night indeed…

And then yesterday was Ruffa’s actual birthday, and she celebrated it with a so-called Spa day in Philosophy Spa with friends Pops Fernandez, Phoemela Barranda, Donita Rose, Ana Roces, Ms. Girlie Rodis, among others, don’t ask me where was Gretchen Barretto, lol….food was catered by Margarita Fores (Cibo,Pepato) and cupcakes from Sonja’s Kitchen.

And speaking of Gretchen Barretto, she allegedly blamed Ruffa’s secretary who is the one who revealed all that happened in the Dusit Hotel credit card issue.

Photo Credits: MJRodis

Maria Mercedes Manhilot-Cantu a.k.a. Ched Manhilot, the controversial sister of Cesar Montano airs her side of the story after being sued for Libel by sister-in-law Sunshine Cruz over alleged malicious and hateful emails reportedly being spread through Friendster by Ched Manhilot against her.

Ched Manhilot is based in Italy and is amrried to an Italian. Here’s an email by Ched Manhilot regarding the Sunshne Cruz emails issue:

“I had my qualms about Shine before, and I have my reasons for this. I was just being a protective ate to Cesar then. But when they got married, I tried my best to be her ate as well.

“I have said a lot of things to her personally, both good and bad. I cannot remember specifically if I said those things she claims I said in e-mails. I will have to check my files.

“Shine and I have our misunderstandings. Let’s leave it at that. But for sure, I’m not the cause of their separation issue. That is an old song that the two revive from time to time.

“Re the libel case, I’ll wait for the summons. Until then, I will go on with my life here in Italy. I don’t see any reason for me to be intimidated. After all, I am an Italian citizen.

“My life does not rely on other people’s perception of me. But for Cesar, that is a different story. I hope Sunshine took that into consideration before she did this sort of thing.”

Also in The Buzz last Sunday, Ched Manhilot, has these to say:

“I don’t see any reason to take it seriously after all. Kasi I’m an Italian citizen, the Philippine court has no jurisdiction over me.”

“Huwag niyang sabihin na nine years na kaming magkakaaway o nine years nagtitiis sa akin. That’s a big lie! Nag-start yung rift namin talaga, yung mother ko pinalayas niya doon sa bahay nila. Parang she was not happy to see my mother around.”

About niece Angela Montano: “Nag-away sila, five years ago. They were yelling to each other. Dinala ko si Angela sa Italy. Three months dito sa Italy. She couldn’t stay here anymore so
she had to go back there. Pagbalik niya doon, Tita, wala na yung kwarto ko doon, sabi niyang
ganun. In-invade na raw ng stepmother [Sunshine] niya. Yun isa sa mga sama ng loob ko. Pero hindi ko ipinakita sa kanya.”

These, among other revelations from Ched Manhilot.

Cesar Montano reacts on the Sunshine Cruz and Ched Manhilot feud by issuing the following statement:

All ugly things said against my wife are not true, same with my sister Chedi. they both don’t deserve to be treated that way just because of grudges, personal differences. Kawawa ang mga walang kinalaman, especially their children.

They are both mature and adult citizens of this world. Shine and Ched must have known their own responsibilities to themselves and family, country, and God.

From day one, I told them to stop destroying one another by saying harsh things. It can still be resolved. It’s sad they declined. I love them with all my heart. Nothing can change. I pray that you soon realize you are destroying our family and your kids are part of it.

Meanwhile, Cesar Montano’s manager, Norma Japitana said that when she asked Cesar Montano what’s the score on the Sunshine Cruz subject of hate emails by sis-in-law Ched Manhilot, Cesar reportedly said to Norma: “baka naghahanap lang daw ng makakaaway si Sunshine kaya hayaan na lang daw.”

Norma is also puzzled why the sudden buzz when just last week, Cesar and Sunshine, were even seeing each other and are a constant date and reportedly Sunshine has actually moved back to the couple’s new house in Tivoli.

Hindi ko nga maintinidihan, e. Dati rin may nilabas na Marianna del Rio issue, pero hindi rin napatunayan na totoo. Ngayon, eto naman. Hindi alam ng press yan, e. Baka siya ang nagkuwekuwento, Norma laments.

Sunshine Cruz is consulting her divorce lawyer for a possible annulment of her marriage with Cesar Montano. Contrary to the news that the couple are getting back for a possible reconcialiation, Sunshine Cruz is already on the verge of filing for divorce or in the case of the Philippines, for annulment.

Sunshine Cruz is particularly riled at Ched “Marimer” Manhilot (married to an Italian), sister of Cesar Montano based in Italy who she said has been spreading malicious rumors about her.

“Hi friend… I’m issuing a written statement this Saturday for StarTalk. They are doing a story on what’s happening and what is being done to destroy me and my family by my own sister-in-law with the help of my stepdaughter (Angela Montano).

“Too much na friend and what hurts is the fact that Cesar [Montano, Sunshine's husband] is not protecting his family from his sister at all. I need to do something before they totally crush me.

“It’s been years that I kept quiet for Cesar. I was told by someone that hate e-mails for years about me were being sent to writers and TV stations. They now realize who is spreading the hate mails.

“From the suicide death of Cesar’s cousin pinpointing me to be the cause, to pocketing campaign money of Cesar, to having an affair with another guy… Lahat yun kinakalat sa TV at press ng isang taong matagal nang gustong sirain ang pagsasama namin ni Cesar at sirain ang kinabukasan ng mga anak ko…”

“Kailan lang kasi ako nag-log in uli sa Friendster,” Sunshine related. “May mga kamag-anakan kasi ako sa ibang bansa na nagpi-Friendster, at marami nga silang nababasa tungkol sa akin. They gave me an idea about the bad things being circulated about me. Kaya I wanted to find out for myself.

“Hindi mapakialaman ng sister-in-law kong si Ched ang Friendster account ko dahil banned siya. Noon ko pa alam na siya ang nagkakalat ng mga paninira sa akin, pero pinagtitiisan kong lahat yun, alang-alang sa asawa ko.

“Alam ng Diyos kung paano ko pinakisamahan ang pamilya ni Buboy. Iniisip-isip ko hanggang ngayon kung ano ba ang malaking kasalanan ko sa kanila para gawan nila ako ng ganito,” himutok ni Sunshine.

“Kaya kong tiisin ang lahat ng ‘yan, ang mga paninirang ikinakalat ng pamilya ni Cesar sa akin, dahil mahal ko siya. Pero na-realize ko, siya na mismong asawa ko, deadma lang at walang ginagawa para protektahan ako at ang mga anak ko sa mga ganitong klaseng paninira sa akin,” Sunshine said sobbing.

Cesar Montano, Sunshine revealed only replied, “Basta, ang nai-text pa niya sa akin, ‘Kasalanan mo ‘yan dahil nakipag-away ka sa kanila!’ when she related the incident to him.

Masakit ang balik ng mga salitang yun dahil hindi totoong nakikipag-away ako sa mga kamag-anakan niya. At kung may problema man kami, wala silang karapatang yurakan ng ganoon ang aking pagkatao, at kapag naaapektuhan ang mga anak ko ng ganito, lalaban na ako,” Sunshine further said.

“Alam ni Cesar na ipinaglaban ko siya sa mga magulang ko noon dahil ayaw nila sa kanya, pero pinakasalan ko pa rin siya. Bakit hindi niya magawa sa akin yun ngayon sa mga kamag-anakan niyang sumisira sa akin?

“Nakikipag-usap na talaga ako sa lawyer ko. May nilapitan pa akong isa pang lawyer sa pagsasampa ko ng annulment case. Through these years, sinira nila ang buhay ko. I have to fight back, for the sake of my children,” Sunshine ended still sobbing.

After Palos, Cesar Montano shines in The Singing Bee. The Singing Bee debuts this week on ABS-CBN primetime and posts impressive ratings. “The Singing Bee,” hosted by Cesar Montano, is essentially a videoke contest combined with a spelling bee. Contestants are not pressured to sing in tune but have to know the correct lyrics. A live band called the Bandble Bee, headed by Musical Director Mel Villena, plays the tunes that players will sing, while sexy dancers, dubbed as the Honeybees, dance to it. Just like a quiz bee, players will test their knowledge and hurdle several rounds before making it as a Singing Bee Champion. Watch The Singing Bee below, Cesar Montano as host, with Celebrity Contestants: Lassy, Atak, Kiray, Kitkat, Tuesday, and Erik.

Although highly doubted because no other survey firm conducts such an extensive overnight measurement, here are the Top 10 shows for daytime and primetime programming according to AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila (Metro Manila and neighboring provinces) households from April 21 to 24, 2008.

April 21 (Monday)

Daytime:
1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 24.2%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 21.2%
3. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 20.1%
4. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.1%
5. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.5%
6. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 15.9%
7. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 15.4%
8. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.6%
9. SiS (GMA-7) - 9.1%
10. Boy & Kris (ABS-CBN) - 7.7%

Primetime:
1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 34.4%
2. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 33.9%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 26.9%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.4%
5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 23.9%
6. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 23.5%
7. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 22.3%
8. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%
9. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 21%
10. The Legend (GMA-7) - 20%

April 22 (Tuesday)

Daytime:
1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.1%
2. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 21.1%
3. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 20%
4. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.1%
5. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.8%
6. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 16.7%
7. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 14.2%
8. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 13.6%
9. SiS (GMA-7) - 11.4%
10. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.6%

Primetime:
1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 36.7%
2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 36.3%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 29.5%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 27.4%
5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%
6. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 23.6%
7. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.3%
8. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 21.9%
9. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%
10. The Legend (GMA-7) - 19.9%

April 23 (Wedenesday)

Daytime:
1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 22.4%
2. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 21.9%
3. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 20.7%
4. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 17%
5. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.8%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 15.7%
7. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 13%
8. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 12.8%
9. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 11.6%
10. SiS (GMA-7) - 11%

Primetime:
1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 34.2%
2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 32.8%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 31.6%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.2%
5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.4%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%
7. The Legend (GMA-7) - 22.6%
8. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 22.3%
9. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%
10. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 20.5%

April 24 (Thursday)

Daytime:
1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.2%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 19.4%
3. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 18.9%
4. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16%
5. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 15.9%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 14.7%
7. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 13.1%
8. Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 12%
9. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.8%
10. SiS (GMA-7) - 8.1%

Primetime:
1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 32.4%
2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 32.1%
3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 28%
4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.3%
5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.2%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 25.1%
7. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%
8. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 24.4%
9. The Legend (GMA-7) - 21.7%
10. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 20.2%

Source: AGB Nielsen Philippines