deadly combination of beauty, brains, class and poise, it is no wonder why Ruffa Gutierrez-Bektas presently lives a charmed and privileged life. Even during her Regal days as one of the film outfit's best bets for stardom, many already observed that she was no ordinary gal. for one, she's very confident and can express herself well. She also knew what she wanted and what path she wished to trek.

All the good things that happened to her were part of a dream that she turned into a reality: from being a popular teen star to becoming a good actress to ending up an international beauty queen to becoming a producer to marrying a powerful tycoon to becoming a mother to two adorable angels. Now, her life serves as an inspiration to many and even if she's not really based in the country anymore, the fans still clamor for the latest updates on her.

FASHION TV PREXY

Recently, the former Miss World 2nd Princess visited the country after a year together with kids Lorin and Venice . The original plan was for them to relax by it turned out to be a working vacation as Ruffa obliged to various commitments to catch up on the times she wasn't on the country. She got busy doing boob tube guestings, personal appearance and magazine pictorials.

“That's true! I'm super-dooper busy these days. I try to multitask. I haven't been home for a year, so wala pa man ako sa Pilipinas, marami nang nagre-request for possible photo shoots and TV guestings. So, during my three-week stay here, my schedule was so tight. I hope that when get back in January, I'll have time naman to visit my mom's relatives in Cebu and enjoy,” the statuesque beauty avers.

She recently hit the headlines when it was reported she became the prexy of Fashion TV. Can she elaborate on this?

“Oh, yes!” she exclaims. “We had our launching last August in one of Istanbul 's hottest spots. I am excited with my new role as the president. We have so many plans in the future like putting up a fashion hotel that includes a fashion café and bar in Turkey . I also plan to venture into fashion merchandising. It's gonna be a big, big project. I'm aware that it would be challenging in the beginning but with determination, we'll succeed.

“Actually, Fashion TV is a 24-hour Paris-based channel,” she continues. “Sixty percent of what's shown on it comes from Paris while the other 40-percent features Turkish designers and models. We've lined up different events and in fact, we have an upcoming one titled Fashion TV Presents: The White Winter Ball. It'll be a grand showcase of Turkish hot couture which will be held in one of the country's biggest palaces.”

MOMMY DEAREST

But despite her responsibility for Fashion TV Turkey, the kids are still Ruffa's top priority.

“Motherhood is masaya na mahirap,” admits Ruffa. “It's hard because both girls are vying for my attention. Lorin is two while Venice is one naman. I have to learn how to divide my time. I have to learn how to talk to Lorin and after a few minutes, kausapin si Venice . It is hard specially when I'm traveling and I have to learn how to divide my time. It is hard specially when I'm traveling and Yilmaz (her husband) is not around. Back in Istanbul , it's easier kasi ‘yung isang girl, nasa tatay niya then ako naman, naglalaro doon sa isa.

“Even in sleeping, like Lorin sleeps with me now kasi may isip na siya, eh. She understands more. This is the reason why I giver more attention to her lately. Ayokong magselos siya kay Venice . Now, they love each other and play together.'

Interestingly, how does her day start when she's in Turkey ?

“Well, back in Istanbul , I don't have a set routine. I sleep late na but I also wake up late. Usually, I'm up to 12 noon. Sabi nga ng ibang mga nanay, I should enjoy these times kasi when the girls start going to school na, gigising na ako nang maaga, ako na ang magpi-prepare ng breakfast nila, I will have to take them to school so ngayon na maliliit pa lang sila, I should take the opportunity to maximize my sleep,” shares Ruffa.

“After waking up, we play na. We go to different activities every day. By January, I'll enroll Lorin in a nursery school since she's ready for it na,” narrates the doting mom.

MRS. BEKTAS IN TURKEY?

How about her relationship with Yilmaz?

“We're doing very well naman,” she says. “For one, we never have the kids sleep with us kasi, I believe as husband and wife, we should also have our private moments alone. So, ‘pag gabi na, the kids sleep in their own room and kami namang mag-asawa, we have our quiet time together. Important din na nagbabakasyon kami na kaming dalawa lang. in fact, when I get back to Istanbul , we're bound to Paris for some bonding time.”

Through the years that they've been together, what are the things that she discovered further about her partner?

“Wow, I've known him for six years now and we've been married for two years. One interesting thing I still discovered about Yilmaz is that he's truly a loving guy, puwede siyang makipaglaro at makipagharutan sa mga anak niya. Hands on dad siya. When he has the time, nagmamasahe siya, nagpapalit ng diapers, kinakantahan niya and even here when we're in Manila, lagi niyang kinakausap sina Lorin at Venice so, naaalala nila ang tatay nila even if he's in Istanbul. That's very important,” she shares.

How adjusted is she now living in a foreign land?

“I can say I've adjusted really well in Istanbul ,” says Ruffa. “The first year was difficult kasi, in one years, I was already a mom, a wife, I moved to a different country on my own without my family with me, I had to learn a new language which is Turkish, I was trying to lose weight, mahirap but now that I've my own set of friends and social activities, nakakapag-enjoy na ako. Specially now that I have Fashion TV.”

MOVIE STAR

Speaking of Fashion TV, how did she get into it?

“Actually, Yilmaz wanted me kasi to be busy with something,” starts Ruffa. “Since Venice is already a year old, sabi niya, it's about time to keep myself busy. I believe that in a person's life, you have to keep on growing. Your mind has to continue functioning. So, when he offered me to be the president of Fashion TV, I became excited because it was something I grew up with. Even as a little girl, I was already acting in front of the cameras so I perfectly know the ins and outs of the business so to speak.

“Now, to produce clips on fashion, feature Turkish designers and models and put if for the people to see, mas magand ‘yon. Now, I'm knowledgeable about the business. Hopefully, mag-expand pa sana ang empire namin. We're trying to be conservative as of now but we hope madagdagan pa ‘yung channels naming,” revelas the glamorous actress-beauty queen.

Does she miss her life as a movie star?

“Oh yes!” she quips. “Acting will always be in my veins. That's why if I've the chance like now that I'm on vacation, I accept guestings. I've guested in my brother Richard's telefantasya Sugo. There, I played the role of a tribal princess, Marikma. I also guested in Extra Challenge, Home Boy, Quizon Ave. and a lot of exciting programs. Yilmaz naman permits me to do occasional acting as long as the project is okay.”

This early, many are already wondering who between her two girls will follow her footsteps as a star and beauty title-holder.

“Really?” asks Ruffa. “Well, my dream for my children is for them to finish sa isang Ivy League school. I hope that they'll grow up to be bright girls at sana , maging masipag sila in their chosen career in the future. Both naman are biba but when it comes to girlie things, si Lorin, 10 months pa lang, mahilig na sa makeup, si Venice hindi. Parang she's more studious.”

Though she's away from her [Gutierrez] family now, Ruffa says:

“It's as if they're always there. Yes, I admit I miss them, spending time with them. We've been together all the time but now, we constantly communicate with one another naman. My siblings, we always text and update one another on the latest developments in our lives. Sina Mommy at Daddy naman, lagi ring tumatawag. Especially when the girls get sick, I call my mom for some tips. They do visit me too. Hopefully, next summer, my whole family will join me in Istanbul .”

Experiencing the best of both worlds at present, Ruffa is happiness personified. And she has these words as a parting shot: “I don't regret anything that I did in my life because it made me the person hat I am now, the Ruffa that is today. Perhaps, I would just have different choices in a few-decision makings but that's it. I'm very thankful that I live a full life.”

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