RUFFA has no qualms appearing without makeup.
Think “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” crossed with “The Love Boat” and “The Addams Family.”
When Inquirer announced via Twitter last Thursday that the Gutierrez clan was set to top-bill a reality show, the response among netizens was immediate and electric, ranging from the apoplectic to the apocalyptic.
Entitled “Inside Showbiz Presents It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez,” the planned reality show can very well be a lightning rod for controversy (and online haters).
During the show’s launch at Thai Bistro in Robinsons Magnolia, Raymond Gutierrez was unperturbed: “In this age of social media,” he said, “I eat haters’ [posts] for breakfast.”
In front of heartthrob-twin Richard and beauty queen-sister Ruffa, Raymond unabashedly declared, “I will be the star of this show!”
Talk about chutzpah.
CONTROVERSIAL clan: Ruffa, Venice, Raymond, Annabelle, Lorin and Richard. INQSnap this page to view more photos and video!
Actually, the show was Raymond’s idea. He brainstormed with Michael Carandang, former producer of “America’s Next Top Model,” and TV100 of One Mega Group, on the venture.
Richard conceded that Raymond was the “concept” guy in the family.
After the hubbub at the launch had died down, Raymond explained to Inquirer: “I said [I would be the star] only in jest. People don’t know that I have a sense of humor. In this show, they will finally see that I can be light-hearted and funny.”
His mother’s son
Such feisty remarks prove that Raymond is indeed the son of tempestuous “mommager” Annabelle Rama.
But patriarch Eddie Gutierrez could be equally combative: “I’m proud of my family. We can look anyone straight in the eye because we didn’t steal anything from the country. We worked hard for all the things that we have.”
RAYMOND says he will be the show’s star.
As expected, the matriarch unleashed a mouthful, alluding to another controversial clan, those beautiful battling Barrettos.
“I am shocked by what’s happening in show biz now, parents fighting with their children,” Annabelle said. “In our family, Eddie and I have the final say. We won’t let our children push us around. That’s because Eddie and I still work for our own money and we don’t rely on our children.”
Ruffa said, ever so diplomatically, “Each family is unique … I’d rather mind my own business.”
Annabelle said the reality show, which will follow the Gutierrezes on a 12-day Asian cruise, would present them unguarded, unplugged, uninhibited, un-madeup, warts and all.
“I told Michael that at home, I just wear duster bought from Divisoria,” Annabelle roared.
RICHARD says girlfriend Sarah may make a guest appearance.
Ruffa said she was fine being filmed without makeup. “It would look strange if I was all dolled up when I wake up in the morning.”
While Richard said the bathroom and bedroom would be off limits, Ruffa said, “They can film me while I’m asleep because I usually crash with my daughters Lorin and Venice.”
The three other Gutierrez brothers Rocky, Elvis and Ritchie Paul will also be part of the show.
They all confessed to being fiery and fearless—recipe for spontaneous combustion—so who would be the resident contravida?
“Maybe my mom,” Raymond quipped. “We all have different personalities. There can’t be just one antagonist.”
Ruffa agreed: “It depends on the time of day! I’m the abused child (sic) and the patient sister in this family, though.”
EDDIE is proud of his family.
Seriously now, Ruffa insisted: “My mom is often misunderstood. People don’t know that she is caring and loving. I hope this show will reveal the real Annabelle Rama. She can be loud at home, but she has a soft heart, too.”
Will their present and past loves make cameos?
Why not!
Ruffa exclaimed, “If (ex-husband) Ylmaz (Bektas) flies in, why not? He wanted to produce a movie on our love story … entitled ‘The Man With Two Faces.’ He just had to be the star!”
Richard volunteered, “Sarah (Lahbati) is part of my life now. She will be part of the show, too … We’ve been through a lot lately. It made our relationship stronger.”
A persistent question at the launch was whether Richard, described by Ruffa and Raymond as the “most reticent in the family,” would finally open up in the show and confirm those rumors that he and Sarah were now parents.
“We are neither confirming nor denying anything,” Richard said. “People will just have to wait … Some rumors have basis, but others are baseless. A lot is happening right now.”
Any major revelation will likely be made in the reality show.
Michael, TV100 head, pointed out, “As executive producers, the Gutierrezes own the show. They are fully committed to this project.”
“Inside Showbiz Presents It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” will begin as a two-part one-hour special, to be aired next year on a channel that will be announced soon.