Ruffa on row with Kris: Time to bury hatchet

Source: Daily Inquirer
By Marinel Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:11:00 03/11/2010

Filed Under: Entertainment (general), Celebrities, Television

MANILA, Philippines—Controversial actress and TV host Ruffa Gutierrez, who reportedly walked out of gossip show “The Buzz” last week over a comment made by co-host Kris Aquino, said it's now time they bury the hatchet.

“Kris, wherever you are, you know I'm not mad at you. Minsan lang hurt ako, emotional ako. I'm sure you understand me because we've been friends for a long time,” Ruffa told a group of entertainment writers during the Avon Fashion Penthouse event she hosted at the St. Francis Shangri-la Place in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday night.

“I don't want to hear anything about Team Ruffa or Team Kris, sana Team Friendship na lang,” she said.

In one of the show's “P.O.V.” segments last Sunday, Kris told Ruffa: “Aminin mo, ibang level ang saya dito.” A teary-eyed Ruffa replied: “Well, I know. You don't have to rub it in, Kris. I'm sad na so sana 'wag mo namang dagdagan.” The actress-TV host has signed up to join the newly reorganized TV5.

Ruffa said she and Kris, who issued an apology to Ruffa via SMS to various publications on Sunday night, have not had the time to personally talk just yet.

“What happened between Kris and I was really very petty. We are going to see each other again. Very happy na kami. We can go back to working peacefully again. I just want to be very positive and move on,” said Ruffa.

“I don't hold any grudges. When people—I'm not referring to Kris—do me wrong, I always forgive just as long as they know what they did, as long as they don't do it again and again. If you're bitter about people, magre-reflect sa'yo. You will only get wrinkles. It's always better to be positive and happy.”

Ruffa added: “In the past, I've encountered a lot of people who say bad things about me and my family. They now reach out and say positive things—just like (Inquirer Entertainment columnist) Dolly Anne Carvajal, whom I've had a misunderstanding three years ago. I've read her columns. She's been fair.”

Ruffa chose to keep mum if she would appear on “The Buzz” for the last time on Sunday.

“Although I'd be out of town with the kids this Sunday, a lot of things can still happen. Let's just wait and see,” she said. “All I really want is a graceful exit. I've already asked permission from my ABS-CBN bosses (about my decision to leave the show).”

Ruffa also said she is expecting her estranged husband, Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas, to arrive later this month.

“We'll probably spend time in the beach. He said all he just wants to do is to read story books to the kids under a coconut tree. I'll give that to him. The girls (Lorin, 6, and Venice, 5) also miss their dad. I want to be able to show them that even though Yilmaz and I are having problems, we still respect each other,” said Ruffa, adding that she has not spoken with Yilmaz for the past nine months.

“There were moments (with Yilmaz) that were sad. But we also had a lot of good times together. I want to cherish those moments. I hope to have a peaceful relationship with him,” she said.