Ruffa Gutierrez is going through rough times. Actually, not just Ruffa but the entire famous Philippine Showbiz clan, the Gutierrez’es. Her dad, veteran actor Eddie Gutierrez collapsed and was timely saved by an angioplasty procedure. Her mom, the feisty Annabelle Rama has long been diagnosed with myoma in her stomach and is to be operated today at the Asian Medical Center in Alabang.

“Magkakaroon kami ng Holy Mass sa room niya with Fr. Joey Faller officiating. Sa Saturday, habang ginagawa ang procedure sa kanya, magkakaroon kami ng prayer meeting sa room ni Mommy, dadalhin naman ng boss ko, si Ola Espiritu, ang pastor namin.

Na-touched nga ako noong nasa hospital pa si Daddy. Nag-prayer meeting din kami sa room niya, nakita ko si Mommy na nagdasal din siya. Dati kasi, lagi niyang sinasabi na as a Catholic, sa Catholic lang siya. But in times talaga na ganoon, sa Kanya tayo kakapit,” said Ruffa Gutierrez who converted to being a Born-Again Christian from being a Muslim.

In life, dumaraan talaga tayo sa pagsubok, walang perfect sa buhay. Kaya noong nasa hospital si Daddy, I’m thankful na nandoon sina Kuya Tonton (Gutierrez) at Kuya Monching (Ramon Christopher) dahil nasa States nga sina Richard. Ako naman ang taga-update sa kanila kung ano ang nangyayari kay Daddy. Kung during happy times ay magkakasama kami, mas naging close kami nang dumating ang trials na ito. What’s important ngayon, okey na si Daddy at si Mommy naman, gagawin na rin ang procedures sa kanya.”

Cristy Fermin has been suspended by ABS-CBN from appearing in her television program, The Buzz and from her radio program in DZMM, also owned by ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN deemed that Cristy Fermin violated provisions of her contract with her remarks against Nadia Montenegro in The Buzz on October 5, 2008. ABS-CBN also cited that Cristy Fermin’s actions also brought damage not only to her reputation and credibility but also that of The Buzz and ABS-CBN. Here is the complete statement of ABS-CBN with regard to the suspension of Cristy Fermin:

“Ang kontrata ni Ms. Cristy Fermin bilang host ng The Buzz sa ABS-CBN Channel 2 at anchorperson ng Showbiz Mismo sa DZMM ay sinuspinde hanggang December 31, 2008.

Ang suspension ng talent contracts ni Ms. Fermin sa ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation ay may kaugnayan sa mga pahayag niya sa episode ng The Buzz noong October 5, 2008. Ang aksyong ito ni Ms. Fermin ay lumabag sa ilang probisyon ng kanyang kontrata.

Nilabag din ng aksyon ni Ms. Fermin ang mataas na batayan ng propesyonalismo at integridad sa pamamahayag. Ito ay nagdulot ng kapinsalaan hindi lamang sa kanyang pangalan at kredibilidad, kundi sa programang The Buzz at ABS-CBN.”

Kris Aquino tops the 2008 YES! magazine’s Top 20 Celebrity Endorsers. Ranking is based on the most money earned by the celebrity endorser. What is surprising is the six degrees( or even closer) of separation in the Top 20 Celebrity Endorsers, like mother and daughter Sharon Cuneta and KC Concepcion; former husbands and wives, Movie Queen and now Batangas Governor Vilma Santos and OMB Chair Edu Manzano, not to mention former wife Maricel Soriano; brother and sister Richard and Ruffa Gutierrez, among others, such an interesting mix..Here is the rest of the Top 20 Celebrity Endorsers of 2008:

1. Kris Aquino - 22 tri-media endorsements
2. Sharon Cuneta - 5 tri-media endorsements
3. Marian Rivera - 25 tri-media endorsements (tied with)
KC Concepcion - 9 tri-media endorsements
4. Aga Muhlach - 6 tri-media endorsements
5. Piolo Pascual - 15 tri-media endorsements
6. Judy Ann Santos - 24 tri-media endorsements
7. Vilma Santos - 4 tri-media endorsements
8. Robin Padilla - 5 tri-media endorsements
9. Richard Gutierrez - 9 tri-media endorsements (tied with)
Maricel Soriano - 7 tri-media endorsements
10. Dingdong Dantes - 9 tri-media endorsements
11. Dawn Zulueta - 7 tri-media endorsements
12. Lucy Torres-Gomez - 10 tri-media endorsements (tied with)
Angel Locsin - 11 tri-media endorsements
13. Manny Pacquiao - 9 tri-media endorsements
14. Sarah Geronimo - 10 tri-media endorsements
15. Lea Salonga - 4 tri-media endorsements
16. Edu Manzano - 10 tri-media endorsements
17. John Lloyd Cruz - 8 tri-media endorsements
18. Toni Gonzaga - 8 tri-media endorsements
19. Anne Curtis - 5 tri-media endorsements
20. Ruffa Gutierrez - 7 tri-media endorsements

Because of so many complains on the results, particularly from Angel Locsin fans, YES! Magazine through Summit Media President Ms. Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, answered the hullaballoo:

“I have spoken to Ms. Maglipon, our Editor-in-Chief, and this is how they computed for the results. They actually counted the number of endorsements that Ms. Locsin has 12 active endorsements and then asked around the industry about her talent fee. The YES! team then multiplied the number of endorsements versus the rate card in order to come out with an annual number. Please read YES! and tell us if we got the number of endorsements wrong. If you can give us facts, we will definitely print your letter and admit our error.”

To know more about the List and many other celebrities, grab a copy of the October 2008 issue of YES! Magazine, with Dawn Zulueta on the main cover, available now in your favorite magazine stands and bookstores.

Well, things are heating up in Philippine Showbiz! After that alleged Kris Aquino and Charlene Gonzales confrontation, Ruffa Gutierrez is miffed at Riza Santos, her co-star in I Love Betty La Fea. Riza Santos earned the ire of Ruffa Gutierrez after she kept the entire cast and crew of ABS-CBN’s  I Love Betty La Fea waiting for hours on one of its recent tapings. I Love Betty La Fea is premiering tonight! Riza Santos aside from being late did not even bother to offer an explanation for her tardiness or at least greet the people present at the set, Ruffa Gutierrez recalled.

“Ayoko na sanang palakihin ‘to pero ang sa ‘kin lang naman, you know, sana just say ‘hi’ naman to your co-stars, say ‘hi’ to your director, mga kasamahan mo. Kasi ‘yon ang itinuro sa akin ng mga magulang ko, e, na kailangan lahat ng mga senior stars, lahat ng mga kasamahan mo sa showbiz, kailangan batiin mo para pakikisama,” Ruffa Gutierrez revealed yesterday, with The Buzz during a sit-down interview.

Based on what she heard and knew at the time, Ruffa said that Riza’s call time was seven o’ clock in the evening but she showed up at around 11 p.m.

“Last eksena ko na ‘yon. So, gusto ko na talagang umuwi kasi I wasn’t feeling that well, at saka siyempre gusto ko naman makasama si Lorin at saka si Venice kaya parang excited din ako umuwi kasi kokonti lang ‘yong mga eksena ko for that day,” explained Ruffa.

For a supposed quick take, Riza’s absence consequently forced Ruffa and the staff to stay and linger around the set until near midnight. What irked Ruffa is the apparent lack of courtesy of Riza Santos the moment she arrived.

“Ang sa akin lang, kung ‘yong mga bida na si Bea Alonzo at si John Lloyd Cruz laging maaga sa set, on time, lahat po binabati mula sa mga crew hanggang sa director nila, napakabait po nila kahit mga superstar sila.

“You know, frustrated lang ako kasi minsan sa mga baguhan na wala silang parang respeto sa mga nakakatanda sa kanila, na sana bumati naman sila.”

Meanwhile, from the camp of Riza Santos, a source said Riza Santos was not aware of her taping schedule that day, thus making the entire incident a case of miscommunication between the production team and Riza’s group.

Ruffa argued that Riza could have at least issued an apology, particularly to the director, for all the hassle she had caused.

“At that point lang, whether she was stuck in traffic or whether she had a big problem, you know, ang sa amin lang sana she could have said sorry man lang to the director because all of us were just waiting for her.”

“So parang one hour nang natapos ‘yong scene or 30 minutes, wala pa din po siyang sinasabi. Kumbaga parang, wala lang. So, when I stood up, I said, ‘Okay, bye everyone, bye!’”

Turning her attention to Riza, Ruffa said, “‘You know, Riza, next time don’t make anyone wait,’ sabi kong ganun. ‘If you wanna make it in this business, be professional,’ and I just left but still she didn’t say anything after that.”

For The First Time had a successful premiere night last Tuesday (August 26) in two SM Megamall Cinemas. It had its regular showing yesterday (August 27), as of press time, no news yet on how successful the movie was on its first dayIt reportedly made P15-M on its First showing day! about the same with the box office return of the smash hit, A Very Special Love. Reports from fans are that long lines in the cineplexes were seen, and people are queuing up for the movie. In the smashing success of the For The First Time premiere night, the biggest celebrities of Philippine Showbiz were in attendance both from rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA. Notably present in the premiere night supporting lead stars KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez were:

KC Concepcion ’s Family: Sharon Cuneta, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and Elaine Cuneta who were in Cinema 10 of the Megamall, an intrigue in itself really, and KC’s real dad, Gabby Concepcion who watched on Cinema 9 of the Megamall.

Richard Gutierrez ‘ Family: Annabelle Rama, Eddie Gutierrez, Ruffa Gutierrez, twin brother Raymond and brothers Rocky, Ramon Christopher and Ritchie Paul Gutierrez.

ABS-CBN Executives: Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN Executives Malou Santos, Cory Vidanes, Deo Endrinal and Star Magic head Johnny Manahan.

Only one GMA Executive attended - Redgie Acuna-Magno, the rest, Richard’s mentor’s in his hit TV show, Codename: Asero like Executive Producer Carol Reyes and Angie Castrence and Codename: Asero director Mark Reyes.

The Kapuso Stars who attended were: Richard Gomez, German Moreno, Senator Bong Revilla Jr., JC De Vera, Paolo Paraiso, Rhian Ramos, Michelle and Ehra Madrigal.

The Kapamilya Stars who attended were: Jericho Rosales, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Mariel Rodriguez, Ai Ai Delas Alas, Maja Salvador, and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

Ano ang hinihintay nyo, tara byahe na! ay..nood na.LOL. Actually, from the sheer beauty pa lang of Greece, the movie is worth it. I will be watching this myself in the days to come, when schedule allows. And look at these photos, there could be something brewing between KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez in real life from these pics alone, kaya watch na ng For The First Time to see the “magic” and “chemistry” on the big screen. Kaka-excite!!