For the past two days, Ruffa Gutierrez has been quietly turning over the funds that were raised during RRRampa for a Cause. The bazaar and fashion show was held on September 16 last year. Ruffa, together with her brothers Richard and Raymond, called on their celebrity friends to help out in the event. Ruffa said they were able to raise about P1.7 million.
"Last year, we made P1 million which we gave to Unicef and the Philippine Red Cross. So, this year we decided to hati-hatiin yung mga naipon namin, yung na-i-raise naming funds. Make-A-Wish Foundation was P200,000. World Vision was P700,000. UNICEF, P500,000. And then, Asilo de Milagrosa in Cebu is P100,000," Ruffa detailed.
Ruffa met with Make-A-Wish Foundation last Monday, January 14 at Sapori Trattoria restaurant in Greenhills. Ruffa was with her parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama when they handed the cheque to Make-A-Wish President Ramon ‘Booie' Segovia. The cheque amount of P200,000 will help around 15 to 20 children in their wish-granting programs.
"We would like to thank Ms Ruffa Gutierrez and her brothers who joined her also in RRRampa for a Cause. You know they make use of their celebrity status for positive socially relevant issues like helping our kids, most have cancer. With their donation, we would be able to grant wishes to our kids and make their lives more meaningful," Booie Segovia said.
To which Ruffa replied, "As for me, I believe that me, my brothers, Richard and Raymond and our family, we're just instruments of God. And I don't think that we should be glorified. We're being used as a tool to help others because I wanna use my being a celebrity, especially this year, to help others because God gave me a second chance to make a comeback for a reason. I just wanna enjoy my fame, and I wanna enjoy it in a good way."
Ruffa added that she was also available for any wish-granting activities of Make-A-Wish.
Yesterday, January 15, Ruffa was joined by her brother Richard at the United Nations offices in Makati City to give their cheque to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). Also with them were Ruffa's kids, Lorin and Venice, and their mom Annabelle. Rhian Ramos, a close friend and Richard's co-star in his Captain Barbell show also joined them.
"Parang advanced birthday celebration ‘to sa UNICEF. I'm just so happy, I'm just so blessed na yun, kasama ko yung family ko dito ngayon. At siyempre, gusto ko pasalamatan lahat ng mga artista from both networks na sumuporta sa event namin to make this all possible. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng kapwa artista. Sana patuloy ang pag-unite natin para makatulong," Richard excitedly said.
"It's really great to be reaching out, to be helping out and to be part of this event," the star of Kamandag said. "I feel so blessed with my family that we were able to raise a lot of funds to help our children. But we are all just instruments of God for this event. He was the One who made this possible. He was the One who gave us inspiration."
Loveless Richard. "For my birthday, you know it's my first time that I'm not going to celebrate a big celebration. Siguro, intimate lang with the family and a few friends. Since this year, I told you that I'm very busy. So, sa mismong birthday ko, I'll be working. I'm just spending my time with my co-actors," when asked about his birthday plans.
But Richard was caught off guard with a question about his being loveless on his 24th birthday.
"Ano wish mo sa birthday mo, Chard? Loveless ka daw ngayon," Ruffa threw the question.
"Loveless. Well, I have a lot of people who love me," a surprised Richard told his sister while cameras were taping.
"Like...?" Ruffa continued.
"My family, my friends. And here, the people at Unicef. So, I'm very happy. This year, I just wanna continue working hard and give it back. I wanna organize an event this year with the family. Definitely, we're gonna make it happen again," Richard said as he smiled back at Ruffa.
Richard was also asked if he would consider dating once again, especially KC Concepcion. Her mother Sharon Cuneta kidded in her birthday concert last week that her daughter was available to be courted by any guy.
"I guess that's very good news. Right now I'm very busy with work. I'm so busy. I'm focused this year. I wanna achieve a lot of goals this year. Do positive things. So, tingnan na lang muna natin. As of now kasi, I can't afford na manligaw or magkaroon ng relationship kasi sobrang busy ko nga. Unfair naman. So, take one step at a time. Let's see what happens this year," Richard said.