Rufa Mae Quinto still pursuing green card in US but will stay in PH for career

Rufa Mae Quinto. Image: Instagram/@rufamaequinto

Newly single Rufa Mae Quinto said she is still pursuing her permanent residency in the United States, but will be staying in the Philippines for the meantime to focus on her career.

In an interview on Jodi Sta. Maria’s vlog on Sunday, July 6, Quinto said she will settle down in the Philippines while taking up acting projects, but will still return to the US for vacations and “errands” once in a while since she considers herself a US resident.

“Of course, I’ll still go to the US. I am still a resident. But my whole heart belongs here (Philippines). I will return there in the US for vacation or errands,” she said.

The actress-comedienne said one of the reasons behind her return is that she is “single” again. She is separated from her estranged husband, Trevor Magallanes, although the latter has yet to file for a divorce.

Quinto also explained that she had to stay in the US for quite some time in order to acquire her green card, which would enable her to lawfully take up permanent residency in the states.

While in the Philippines, she said she would be staying in an ancestral home, which was owned by her grandmother.

“Before the pandemic, I had it renovated. But I had to put the renovation on hold. It didn’t push through because it was so expensive. This is why this house is important to me. It holds a lot of meaning and certain feelings attached to it. Every part of my childhood and my roots are there. But it has to be renovated,” she said,

Quinto and Magallanes, both holders of US and Philippine passports, tied the knot in 2016 and welcomed their daughter Athena the following year. Reports of their marital woes became public in December 2024, which was eventually confirmed by the estranged pair.

Despite this, the “Booba” star said in January 2025 that Magallanes has yet to formally file for a divorce to end their marriage for good. /edv