PART 1: Ruffa Gutierrez walks out on The Buzz because of Kris Aquino
Annabelle Rama defends daughter Ruffa; hits Kris.
Many were surprised when news broke that Ruffa Gutierrez had walked out of ABS-CBN’s showbiz talk show The Buzz yesterday, March 7. Ruffa is one of the hosts of the program, along with Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda.
In the “P.O.V.” segment of The Buzz yesterday, Ruffa suddenly became emotional when Kris joked with her: “Ruffa, admit it, the fun is on a different level here.” Kris was apparently referring to Ruffa’s planned move to TV5. Ruffa will be leaving ABS-CBN and The Buzz two weeks from now.
After Kris said this, Ruffa responded with this: “Well, I know, you don’t have to rub it in, Kris. Of course, I’m sad too, so please don’t, you know, add more.”
But at this point, tears were clearly visible in Ruffa’s eyes, and she was clearly holding back her tears.
Before the commercial break, Ruffa was seen standing up from her seat while Kris and Boy were still sitting.
Shortly after the scene, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) learned that Ruffa had walked out completely and did not finish the show. According to a report in PEP Alert yesterday, which was based on information from Ruffa’s camp, “Ruffa Gutierrez is crying and leaving The Buzz because of Kris Aquino’s threats against her.”
ANNABELLE STRIKES BACK. Before The Buzz even ended, its counterpart program on GMA-7, Showbiz Central, got an exclusive phone-patch interview with Ruffa’s mother, Annabelle Rama.
A sullen Tita Annabelle (as Ruffa’s mother is called in showbiz) spoke to Pia Guanio on the other line.
Pia’s first question to Annabelle was where Ruffa was at that moment.
“I’m sending her home, Pia,” Ruffa’s mother replied. “You know, the reason I kicked Ruffa out of The Buzz was because I couldn’t take it anymore that Kris was always blocking her every Sunday, okay? That’s why Ruffa and I always fought. I said, ‘Why don’t you fight Kris? Who is she?’
On what is supposed to be her last two weeks on The Buzz, Ruffa Gutierrez (left) walked out on the show, following a comment from co-host Kris Aquino (right) about Ruffa’s decision to leave ABS-CBN for TV5. Only minutes later, Ruffa’s mother, Annabelle Rama, badmouthed Kris on another show
“You know, Pia, Kris is not doing a good job with Ruffa, huh. Noynoy [Aquino, Kris’s brother] hasn’t even won the presidency yet, huh, he’s already bragging! What more if Noynoy wins? Oh, all the artists are pathetic, especially the young ones who are just starting out. It won’t be long. He’s blocking Ruffa every Sunday. What, is he jealous of Ruffa?”
Pia asked Annabelle what she thought was the reason why Kris was “blocking” Ruffa.
“He must be jealous of Ruffa! He’s jealous of Ruffa!” Annabelle replied. “That’s why I’m calling on the people, don’t vote for Noynoy because Noynoy hasn’t even won yet, huh, Kris is already bragging. You thought he owned showbiz!”
Is it true that Ruffa cried at a restaurant in Tomas Morato?
“Ruffa cried. She was in the dressing room earlier. I said, ‘Get out of The Buzz,’ I told her. That’s so mean! She wants to work! Ruffa, I understand you working at The Buzz. But if Kris insults you, that’s not right! And you’re not fighting back! Why is that? Why did you let him insult you there?'”
Pia asked Annabelle what Kris and Ruffa were talking about at The Buzz before Ruffa walked out.
“You know, Pia, Kris doesn’t care if Ruffa leaves. I’m sure she’ll be really happy. But I, I just told Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN TV head], Charo [Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN president], and then Linggit Tan [Entertainment Production Head] that I would pull Ruffa out. I didn’t tell them what the reason was. But now, for what he did to Ruffa, I have to tell the people: That’s why I pulled Ruffa out of The Buzz, first of all, Kris’s blocking of her, I can’t take it anymore.
“I, I’m a mother, Pia. I, my heart bleeds when Ruffa cries at home. When Ruffa comes home, she just cries at me. They say, ‘Mom, Kris is blocking me again.’ I’m the one who’s fighting her. I said, ‘Why aren’t you fighting, Ruffa? Why aren’t you fighting that Kris Aquino? Who is she?’ Her sister hasn’t even won yet, he’s already bragging. What more if Noynoy wins, let alone all the showbiz people he’s bullying? That’s not right, Pia!
“You’re kidding, he [Kris] is hiring Ruffa to sing for Noynoy for free, I agree! I don’t have a commission either, I agree! She should be with Ruffa, there’s no more pay for Ruffa’s campaign, huh! He’ll bully her even more!” Annabelle continued.
Was it Annabelle herself who told Ruffa to leave the set of The Buzz?
“I told her to leave! Because Ruffa wants to work. ‘No! Get out of there right now! Kris Aquino will bully you again! Don’t!'”
In the end, Annabelle gave a message for Ruffa.
I know you’re a workaholic. I know that. When you work, you’re treated like that by your colleagues, that’s not right. I was right to send you away from there. It’s good that you listened to your mother. At least, you’ve left. On the other station [TV5], there’s peace of mind. No one envies him there. No one will bother him there. So, it’s okay that he won’t be back on The Buzz.”
As far as PEP knows, Ruffa was supposed to be on The Buzz until March 21. But because of what happened, it seems like yesterday was her last appearance on the show.
One of the programs that Ruffa will be doing on TV5 is the showbiz-oriented talk show Paparazzi, with Cristy Fermin and DJ Mo Twister. Its timeslot will compete with ABS-CBN’s The Buzz and GMA-7’s Showbiz Central.
PEP also learned that ABS-CBN is currently eyeing TV5, and the giant network (ABS-CBN) has no plans to give any show or even guest star any of its artists who will have a show on the new network (TV5), even though the latter is offering non-exclusive contracts to the artists.
EXCHANGE OF TEXT MESSAGES. It’s only been a few hours since the incident on The Buzz and Showbiz Central, text messages have been flying from both camps.
Allegedly from from Ruffa Gutierrez’s camp, this is the text message that PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon received: “Kris Aquino is really rude, Ruffa couldn’t take it anymore, he walked out now. He’s so abusive, his brother hasn’t even won the presidency yet, he’s super arrogant. He’s really ugly and his ratings will be low if we stay away from each other. He’s making me sick. Thanks.”
It’s unclear whether Ruffa knew, or had Ruffa’s permission, to send this text message.
This is what Ms. Maglipon allegedly received from Kris Aquino’s camp: “Ruffa Gutierrez found a reason to cover up her shameless act at ABS-CBN! She and her mother Annabelle Rama are keeping quiet at Kris’ and ABS-CBN’s expense! Her contract with ABS-CBN is not over yet, she’s set to sign with Channel 5. She did a great disrespect to ABS-CBN! She switched to Villar because Noynoy’s camp couldn’t give her any of her money! “He didn’t even have the decency to inform Kris if he considered her a friend. All this is just money! Stop using ABS-CBN for your gimmick, Ruffa! Just show your gratitude to the station that revived your career! And stop using the network to beg for mercy. We know how tough your family is! Especially Annabelle Rama! Stop trying to clean up! Filipinos are not stupid!”
It is unclear whether Kris knew, or had Kris’ permission, to send this text message.
