uffa Gutierrez-Bektas have come to terms with herself.  She has already accepted that her husband, Yilmaz Bektas has a daughter by a previous relationship before he even met her.  Her step-daughter, Ilknaz (8), is not only very close to her but also to her half-sisters, Lorin and Venice .
 
When Ilknaz turned eight last January 21, it was Ruffa who organized a party for her stepdaughter which was held at the Bektas Residence in Istanbul , Turkey .
    
Here's an e-mail from Ruffa:
    
"Happy Chinese New Year To All!  Ilknaz celebrated her 8th birthday with her sisters, Lorin and Venice , for the first time.  It was a day of peace and a new beginning.  I can't tell you how liberating it was for me to make amends with someone who has affected me so negatively in the past.  A truly positive way to start the Year of the Dog.  See you all soon! - Ruffa"
 
Meanwhile, Ruffa is very proud of her younger twin brothers, Richard and Raymond, who are both doing well in their respective showbiz careers.  Being a big sister to her young siblings, Ruffa keeps on reminding her brothers to be professional with their work and to keep their feet on the ground all the time.
  
Richard is actually Ruffa's male version.  He is not only very professional with his work but he also exudes good PR just like  Ruffa.  He also duplicates the popularity enjoyed by her elder sister when she was at her peak.

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Former beauty queen-turned-singer-actress Rachel Ann Wolfe, younger sister of jazz artist-businessman, Richard Merck, has been permanently residing in New Jersey, USA for 15 years now together with her second husband, Italian-American John Epitaletta and their kids - all boys — Trevor (6), Luke (4-1/2) and Jake (2-1/2).  Rachel's first son, Max (12), is her only child from his previous husband, Dr. Carl Calica.
 
Before leaving for the U.S. , Rachel did some movies for Regal Films and other film outfits.  She was also a recording artist of OctoArts International.  Once in a while, Rachel Ann would come to Manila to visit her relatives and friends.
 
Aside from Richard who is married to Roni Tapia-Merck, Rachel Ann has a younger brother, Ronnel Wolfe who used to be a member of the now-defunct Octo Maneuvres.
 
Their mom, jazz queen Annie Brazil (who was here last Christmas) is still active with her singing career in New York .

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The two-night pre-Valentine concert of Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez and singer-composer Ogie Alcasid at the Araneta Coliseum billed as "Forever After" together with Rico J. Puno and Ai-Ai de las Alas as special guests is something to look forward to not only because this is the first time Rico J. will be working with Regine, Ogie and Ai-Ai but because of its unique concept, a fantaconcierto.
    
Singer-comedian Allan K. will play a dual role, a narrator and a witch.  It revolves around a story which has Regine (as Regs) and Ogie (as Pogs) as the starcrossed lovers  separated when they were kids, but are destined to meet and fall in love in the future.  Ai-Ai is the ice queen of the fairy land, Amorata who once had a romantic relationship with another fairyland denizen, Rico J.  By twist of fate, the two break up and Ai-Ai is left bitter and hurt.  She vows revenge against the enemy—love.
 
Although Regine, Ogie, Ai-Ai and Rico J. will still be singing romantic ballads, their songs will be based on the magical love story written by Ricky Lee and directed by Rowell Santiago.
    
"We're pretty much excited with the concept, the very first of its kind," says Direk Rowell Santiago.
    
"Forever After," a fantaconcierto  and one of a kind musical-comedy concert  is being presented by Wyeth's Progress Gold in cooperation with Star Media and GMA-7.  This  will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on February 10 and 11 with Raul Mitra as the musical director.

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