Ikinagulat ng marami ang balita na lumabas ngayong umaga, May 8, sa column ng batikang showbiz columnist na si Ricky Lo sa Philippine STAR— ang pakikipaghiwalay ni Ruffa Gutierrez sa kanyang Turkish husband na si Yilmaz Bektas.

Personal na tinawagan kahapon ni Ruffa sa telepono si Ricky para sabihin ang malungkot na balita.

Nakausap namin kanina si Ricky, at ayon dito, mutual decision ng mag-asawa ang paghihiwalay. Moments later, nakatanggap kami ng text message mula kay Jun Lalin, ang confidante ng Gutierrez family.

Sinabi sa amin ni Jun na padadalhan niya kami ng joint statement nina Ruffa at Yilmaz tungkol sa kanilang paghihiwalay.

Ito ang official statement ng mag-asawa na ikinasal sa NBC Tent ng The Fort noong March 2003:

"It is with much regret that RUFFA GUTIERREZ and YILMAZ BEKTAS announce their mutual decision to end their four years of marriage.

"Earnest and sincere efforts at saving their marriage have failed. It is to the best interest of Ruffa and Yilmaz, their children, and respective families that such decision to sever marital ties had to be made.

"All issues and formalities concerning the dissolution of the marriage shall be done in accordance with applicable laws in the most cordial, amicable, and private way possible for the benefit of all concerned.

"Ruffa and Yilmaz will remain committed parents and continue to be friends as they live their separate lives. They ask for everyone's understanding and consideration in respecting the family's privacy during this most difficult time. No further statements will be issued."