MANILA, Philippines — Ruffa Gutierrez fondly looked back on her Binibining Pilipinas days as the leading national pageant marked its 60th anniversary.
Ruffa was one of the main hosts of the finals night on Sunday, which saw Myrna Esguerra of Abra and Jasmin Bungay of Pampanga being crowned as Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 and Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024, respectively. The coronation was made extra meaningful by the presence of Binibini titleholders through the years.
In an exclusive chat with The STAR, Ruffa shared her personal highlights from this year’s edition of Binibining Pilipinas, “Being reunited with more than 100 queens for the 60th anniversary of Bb. Pilipinas.”
“It was not only an iconic moment but nostalgic as well as I remembered my own journey as a beauty queen 31 years ago. March 21, 1993 to be exact when I competed and was crowned Bb. Pilipinas World 1993.”
Ruffa was only 18 years old at that time though she had already been courted to join when she was younger.
An 18-year-old Ruffa as Binibining Pilipinas World in 1993.
“At the tender age of 16, I already received offers to join Bb. Pilipinas because of my height. I kept saying no because I was so busy with my showbiz career doing countless movies with Regal Films, was a Monday mainstay of ‘That’s Entertainment’ and had two regular sitcoms, ‘Ready Na, Direk’ and ‘13,14,15,’” she recalled to The STAR.
“After shooting a ‘Blowing Bubbles’ endorsement in Puerto Azul with Jun de Leon, I went to the Bb. Pilipinas screening straight from the beach with my curly hair and polka dot polo shirt to politely tell Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta that I wouldn’t be able to be a candidate that year. I was 50/50 and unsure of myself because I had zero preparations.”
However, a “walkout incident” that happened on the sidelines of the screenings emboldened the reluctant candidate to give the pageant a go at the last minute.
“Much to my surprise, while I was explaining myself to the BPCI executive committee on why I couldn’t join, nagkakagulo na pala outside. More than 60 percent of the aspiring beauty queens walked out. (They were saying) For sure, I was gonna win kasi artista daw ako. My assistant even got involved in a fistfight with a catty candidate (laughs),” Ruffa shared.
With fellow hosts — from left, Nicole Cordoves, Catriona Gray, Kylie Verzosa and Mary Jean Lastimosa — at the coronation night.
“I was so shocked — the walkout actually boosted my confidence. I decided then and there that I would go for it. There was no turning back!”
Ruffa became a frontrunner to win the competition, eventually taking home the Binibining Pilipinas World crown.
Asked if she ever felt bad that she didn’t get the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title, which went to Dindi Gallardo at that time?
Ruffa said, “To be honest, I felt bad for a day because I grew up in California watching Miss Universe since I was eight years old. I would prance around wearing a plastic Miss Universe crown, cape and scepter in our garage.
“The day after coronation night, my parents told me over breakfast that I shouldn’t be sad because Miss World was just as prestigious. Eric and Julia Morley just struck a deal with business magnate Sol Kerzer and I would be flying to South Africa to represent the Philippines. It was God’s will and my destiny which I fully embraced.”
With Miss International Andrea Rubio (center) who is part of the judging panel.
Revealing some untold stories as the Binibini representative to the international pageant, she shared, “I was thrilled to represent the Philippines in the Miss World Beauty Pageant that would take place in November 1993 at the Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, South Africa. The preliminaries were held in London, England. I was terrified because it was my first time to travel alone. I made a lot of friends but some candidates were competitive.
“The heels I was set to wear for the coronation were stolen from my room and were found under the bed of another candidate’s room. I made headlines in Sun City because during pre-pageant socials, I ordered fresh milk while everyone was having wine.”
Ruffa went on to be declared Miss World Second Princess, still considered one of the iconic moments in the pageantry world.
Looking back, such transition to beauty queen from being artista — interestingly, not the other way around as is most the case — was a major turning point in her career. “Being Miss Philippines and Miss World Second Princess 1993 has definitely made a significant impact in my life. It was the turning point from being a teenage movie and television star to a beauty pageant titleholder overnight,” Ruffa said.
With Alice Dixson, Binibining Pilipinas International 1986.
“Many opportunities came my way. I launched my own foundation for less fortunate children, I traveled the world, and was definitely on top of the world. The rest is history as they would say.”
Now when asked to give some advice to the new Binibini queens, whose lives are about to experience major changes as well, Ruffa said, “My advice to the new set of Binibinis is not to be pressured, overwhelmed and most importantly, don’t lose sight of your authentic self.
“A lot has changed since I joined the world of pageantry 31 years ago — we had no social media back then. Now information is at your fingertips. Use this to your advantage — most especially, since the Philippines has the biggest, the best and most supportive pageant fans!”
Interestingly, there are now pageant fans eyeing Ruffa’s children Venice and Lorin as beauty queen material. Will their mom allow them if ever they want to join a pageant?
Ruffa said, “Whatever my daughters decide to be, I will always be here to support them in their respective careers. I’m their biggest disciplinarian but also their number one cheerleader.”
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