Even Ruffa Gutierrez is unsure about the real status of her brother Richard Gutierrez and actress Barbie Imperial.
Appearing on the June 12 episode of ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’, Ruffa had a slip of the tongue while promoting her upcoming GMA series Beauty Empire. Playing the character Velma Imperial, Ruffa mistakenly referred to her co-star Barbie Forteza as “Barbie Imperial” — prompting laughter from both her and Boy Abunda.
“This is directed by Mark Sicat dela Cruz with Barbie Imperial… Barbie Forteza! Oh my God… Imperial,” Ruffa exclaimed. “Isa pa. Sorry, may Imperial kasi. I am so stressed… wait!”
Seizing the moment, Boy Abunda playfully asked, “Barbie and Richard ba are still together?”
Ruffa, still laughing, responded honestly, “I don’t know. Isa pa ‘yun… minsan bumpy, minsan okay. Naguguluhan na ako sa kanila!”
Earlier this year, Richard Gutierrez addressed rumors about his connection with Barbie Imperial, sharing that their closeness started when they partnered in a gastropub business in Alabang.
“Doon namin nakilala ang isa’t isa. And ‘yun, masaya siyang kasama, enjoy kaming dalawa, and doon na nagsimula,” Richard shared. He also clarified that Barbie was not the reason behind his split with ex-wife Sarah Lahbati. “Hindi siya third party, hindi nag-overlap… Wala siyang kinalaman.”
As for Ruffa, her return to GMA marks a new chapter in her career, with Beauty Empire set to premiere first on Viu on June 16 and on the Kapuso Network’s primetime block starting July 7. She stars alongside Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, Sam Concepcion, Choi Bo Min, Chai Fonacier, and Sid Lucero.
Ruffa praised her younger co-stars, saying, “Napakabait, silang dalawa. Si Barbie, kada lumalabas sa bibig niya, laging ‘po’ at ‘opo.’ Super sweet, super simple, and napakahusay umarte.”
She added that while they’re not exactly barkada-level close, “Nakikinig sila kapag nagkukuwento ako lalo na tungkol sa love.”
One of her biggest pieces of advice? “Huwag mag-live in! You should take someone more successful than you… Pero lahat tayo minsan nagiging tanga sa pag-ibig. Kapag nagiging tanga sa pag-ibig, kailangan isipin mo kung sino ka as a person. Have self-respect and wait for the person that’s really deserving of your love. Don’t settle for less.”
