Rufa Mae Quinto's interview in YES! magazine's February 2008 issue contained the sexy comedienne's accounts in nearly every aspect of her life—family, career, and, of course, controversies. Considered an "autobiography" by Rufa Mae herself, she poured out her past, relating the ups and downs of her life as she talked away on one topic after another.
The most interesting part of Rufa Mae's life, however, would be her love life—specifically, that one romantic stage of her life where she figured in a "love triangle" with singers Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado. The issue may be already eight years old but Rufa Mae's interview stirred up a hornet's nest—Jessa's, to be exact—and brought forth a new chapter in this romantic issue.
It will be recalled that Jessa and Dingdong appeared live on Showbiz Central seven months ago and were interviewed by no less than Rufa Mae herself. The three chatted and laughed, and whatever past issues Jessa and Rufa Mae had in the past simply vanished, so it seemed. But with Rufa Mae's revelations, things got sour again.
JESSA: "IT'S FULL OF LIES." Yesterday in Startalk, a disgruntled Jessa Zaragoza said that Rufa Mae's statements were full of lies because the sexy comedienne never was Dindong's girlfriend in the first place. In fact, Jessa added, they were just going out and Rufa Mae was dating other men at the time.
RUFA MAE HITS BACK. Today on Showbiz Central, the normally laughing and smiling Rufa Mae looked irritated, sitting on the Central Jury's Hot Seat, as she explained her YES! interview point-by-point. Grilling her this time was fellow Jury member Mo Twister, who immediately shot out his questions.
"Let's get to the point na," Mo says. "According to Jessa, hindi naman nagkaroon kayo ng exclusive na relationship with Dingdong."
Rufa Mae: "Ok, gusto ko munang sabihin, Mo, na ang istorya ng buhay ko ay istorya ng buhay ko. Kung ano po ang nasabi ko sa YES! magazine, yung po ang nangyari sa akin. So, may karapatan ako ikuwento, at may karapatan din silang ikuwento kung ano man nangyari sa buhay nila. May karapatan tayo bawat isa, eh."
Mo's follow-up question: "Sabi ni Jessa in-attack mo daw sila, eh. What you would–"
Before he could finish, a clearly fired up Rufa Mae shoots back, "Alam mo, hindi lang naman sila, eh. At hindi nila binasa nang buo, yung gusto lang nila ma-pick up; ang gusto nilang basahin... Sabi ko naman na ‘Uy, dati pa naman yun. Past is past...' And naku, magkakabati na nga kami and everything. Para sa akin naman, eh, narration na lang yun, eh. Sobrang tagal na nun. Siya nga nagsabi na eight years ago na. So parang with me ang bata-bata pa naman natin nun, eh."
The usually talkative Mo can't get a question in because Rufa Mae is brimming with emotion on Jessa's recent interview. "I just wanna be real."
Rufa Mae continues, "Gusto ko lang maging totoo kaya masyado akong nagpakatotoo. Casual lang naman ako nung sinabi lahat ang katotohanan."
Rufa Mae pauses and Mo makes the most of his precious time by asking his original question: "Yes or no, naging boyfriend mo si Dingdong?"
"Magkakagulo ba kami ng eight years? Nagkabati nga lang kami last year at yung interview ko po, last year pa yun. Ngayon lang lumabas, okay...Kaya nga positive nga...Bagong taon, wala nang lihim kahit saan ka humarap, proud na proud ka, ganoon. Eh, ito namang super defensive na ‘to [Jessa] na gusto yatang makipag-away sa paligid...Puwede din naman pero kung ako sa 'yo, eh, tawagan mo na lang ako. Susmaryosep, o, dito ka na lang tumawag [on Showbiz Central]."
Sensing that his question might go nowhere, Mo decides to ask a new one. But again, he is brushed aside by Rufa Mae's discourse.
"Teka lang ha, bago 'yan [Mo's question], eh, gusto ko munang sabihin na hindi naman dahil na guwapong-guwapo si Dindong kaya siya ang topic dito. Ito ay tungkol sa sinabi ni Jessa against me.
