Ruby Rodriguez is now thriving in her role at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, where she combines her passion for public service with occasional hosting.
Actress and host Ruby Rodriguez left the Philippines with her family during the pandemic and she is thriving with a job in the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles and hosting on the side. She was last seen in the super blockbuster hit “Hello Love Again” with Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards with Joross Gamboa, Valerie Concepcion, Jennica Garcia and many more.
We chanced upon Ruby in the Philippine Consulate office in LA and she generously gave us a life and career update.
“I’m all good,” she said. The actress, who once charmed audiences with her acting and bubbly personality, has now found fulfillment in a different kind of role.
“Iba naman. Kung minsan kapag sinasabing artista, ang connotation ay hindi nakapag-aral. Hindi naman po ganun lagi. Iba na po ang artista sa Pilipinas. Most are already graduates. They studied. Marami na po tayong ganung kuwento. Ang fulfillment ko ay yun pong pinag-aralan ko ay ginagamit ko na ang utak ko ngayon sa pagsisilbi sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na nangangailangan, nanghihingi ng tulong, ‘yung hindi nakakaintindi sa batas natin, sa konstitusyon dahil ang dami na rin pong amendments na nangyari, ‘yung po ang itinutulong ko ngayon. Ginagamit ko na po ang utak ko ngayon para sa kabutihan na at paglilinaw sa batas. Hindi na sa basta katarantaduhan na lang.”
While she does miss her time in showbiz, she’s found a different kind of spotlight at the consulate.
“Yes, namimiss ko ang showbusiness, pero the thing that I am doing now sa consulate ay para na rin akong nasa showbusiness kasi when I start to brief the people, they make me go out, so para akong nasa showbiz, naghohost pa rin.
She shared how hosting and public speaking have not left her life entirely. “I kinda miss it, kaya I may not be practicing that here a lot, pero kung may offers naman for me to host or appear on TV, I have had mga table reads na rin dito. They would allow me naman to do those things. Basta hindi ito magcoconflict sa trabaho ko rito (sa consulate), kasi gusto ko ito!”
As much as she values her work at the consulate, family is at the heart of her decision to relocate to the United States. “One of the reasons why I am here is because of my daughter Toni,” said Ruby.
“She is doing very well here. She is working now at alam kong kaya niya kaya hindi ako natatakot.”
But, her son’s future and health were top priorities as well. “It’s really for my son. Health care is better here, not just healthcare. Education is good in the Philippines but education for special children is different here. They have more openings, they have more pathways for children to improve their lives, be independent and productive members of society,” she shared.
She also spoke candidly about her husband, Mark Aquino, and the difference in their feelings about living in the U.S. “Mas gusto niya ang Pilipinas. Mahal na mahal niya ang Pilipinas. Mas mahal niya ang Pilipinas kaysa ako,” she said with a laugh. “Siyempre when you’re married for a long time, we’re basically good friends. Since only child siya, ang buo niyang pamilya nandodoon. Hindi katulad ko, nandito na lahat ng kapatid ko, nandito na mga kamag-anak ko, so siyempre hati siya, hindi ako ang mas mahal niya. Ang mas mahal niya ay ang mga anak niya.”
Her lightheartedness quickly shifted as she reflected on the sacrifices her husband had made for their children. “Hindi siya masaya rito, pero dahil masaya ang mga anak ko, lalo na si AJ, nilulunok (ng mister ko) ang lahat para sa anak ko,” she said with a touch of emotion. “Pang MMK at Magpakailanman ang buhay ko. Maganda yan, collab, wala nang away-away, pang Maalaala Mo Magpakailanman.”
She’s also excited to return to a familiar role as a host, particularly for the Filipino community in Los Angeles. “I’ll be hosting for the Filipino community for the MMDA’s MMFF 50 in LA. I’m grateful to MMDA kasi ang dami kong pelikula na naipalabas sa MMFF: lahat ng Okey Ka Fairy Ko at Enteng Kabisote,” she recalled fondly. “And I would also host mga parades before. So this event is the turnover of the jeepney to the Filipino community here in L.A. There is a Filipino historic town dito sa L.A., just like Little Tokyo, Korea Town. We have our own with the arch and all, and the jeepney is unique to us all.
She spoke passionately about the iconic jeepney and its cultural significance to the Filipino community. “I hope the phase-out of the jeepney shouldn’t happen. Sana we can push for improvements and modernization especially with the machines, but not a total phase out. Maybe an upgrade.”
Ruby will be hosting jeepney turn over event with Atty Don Artes of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the MMFF50 in LA that will kick off the whole festivities in Los Angeles to culminate with a star-studded free concert called “Konsyerto Para sa Pilipino” on March 8 at the Lyric Theater, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, California.
There’s a meet and greet with the stars of the MMFF50, with Miss Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Lorna Tolentino, Dingdong Dantes, Janice de Belen, Sylvia Sanchez, Arjo Atayde, Enchong Dee, Ruru Madrid, Cedrick Juan, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Kaladkaren, Sofia Pablo, MJ Lastimosa, and Alexa Miro.
Then there’ll be a world-class concert performances of none other than Jaya, Jed Madela, John Arcilla, Joey Albert and Junior New System. And the lead stars of the upcoming Star Cinema film “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” namely Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, will grace the occasion too. Presented by Metro Manila Film Festival, Metro Manila Development Authority and PAGCOR, the free concert is supported by Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles, CineGang, Mowelfund and GF Bayona Productions.
