ACTRESS Ruffa Gutierrez has been officially named the first global brand ambassador of Kabayan Remit for 2025.
The announcement was made in a signing ceremony at SuperSam in Quezon City, witnessed by Kabayan Remit’s Princes Manalo (head of operations) and Karina Salve Untalan (commercial manager). Ruffa is stepping into this role with purpose, lending her voice to a brand that supports millions of overseas Filipinos sending money back home from the UK, Canada, and the US.
This new partnership isn’t just about star power — it’s about values. Kabayan Remit is known for its integrity, security and affordability, handling over 1 million transactions annually valued at more than $500 million. Since its founding in 2012, Kabayan Remit has become the trusted platform for overseas Pinoys, regulated by top-tier financial institutions such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and Canada’s FINTRAC.
Despite never being an OFW herself, Ruffa embodies the spirit of Filipinos — resilient, transparent and committed to family. “I may not have left the country to work abroad,” she shared, “but I’m the one sending financial support to my daughters Lorin and Venice, who are both studying overseas.” With a deep sense of responsibility, Ruffa relates to every Filipino who sacrifices for the people they love most.
“Suportahan natin sila kasi ang gusto lang naman nila, maitaguyod nang maayos ang kanila pamilya,” she says.
Raised in the US by her parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, Ruffa witnessed how hard it is to build a life from scratch. “My parents worked so hard to give us a good life,” she recalls, adding that the same work ethic is what she carries to this day.
In a candid interview, Ruffa opened up about keeping a respectful relationship with her ex-husband, Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas, despite the challenges. “I raised them on my own,” she says of her daughters, “but never ko siyang siniraan. I tell them the truth, but I always tell to respect him because he’s their dad.”
With honesty and openness, Ruffa emphasizes the importance of maturity in co-parenting. “Wala akong tinatago sa kanila and ang maganda sa kanila, they value that I raise them, but they also want to spend time with their father. So importante pa rin ‘yung pagmamahal ng isang tatay. Kasi I don’t want them to have daddy issues one day, ‘di ba? Or male issues later on.”
When asked about Yilmaz’s planned visit to the Philippines this year, Ruffa shared that she’s excited. “Kasi, for the first time since 2008, babalik na siya sa Pilipinas. Kung pupunta siya, ha. Kasi, nung in-announce niya na pupunta siya, maraming girls na nag-message sa’kin. And ayoko silang papatulan … pero nabasa ko.
“‘Wag na kayong mag-message sa’kin kasi wala naman ako sa buhay ni Yilmaz for the last how many years. So sa mga babae na nagre-react, ‘wag na kayong mag-message. Isa dun Filipino. Sila ‘yung affected. So sabi ko, let him come and spend time with his kids. It’s not about me. It’s about building that connection with them.”
These days, aside from family, Ruffa is focused on self care. She glows not just with confidence, but with discipline. When complimented on her weight loss, she laughed, “Before, I’d skip a meal and lose five pounds. Now? Gutom lang!” She credits her transformation to hard work, movement and emotional wellness.
“You really have to work, you have to sweat and I think it’s also good for our emotional stability, para maging mas fresh tayo. Kailangan talaga galawin natin ‘yung katawan natin.”
And though she’s no longer in her 20s, Ruffa has no desire to be model-skinny. “We gain ten pounds on screen,” she says. “I want to be strong, not skinny. I want to be voluptuous and healthy.”
Another reason for her glow? A quiet love life. In a world where everyone’s relationship is a scroll away, Ruffa chooses to keep her romance low-key. “It’s not a secret, but it’s private. Not everything needs to be posted. What matters is how you feel, not what people think.”
And as for rekindling romance with Yilmaz? “Let’s cross that bridge when we get there,” she says with a smile.
Turning serious, she explains: “I think all of you were there. You know our love story. You saw the end kumbaga, wala naman kaming tinatago. And siguro Filipinos pa rin, they want us to get back together, but you know, our kids are not (aged) 2 and 3 anymore, they’re already young adults, so kung magkakabalikan ng isang relasyon not necessarily Yilmaz and I. Dapat because of you two, hindi dahil sa mga anak.
“Kasi at the end of the day, mga anak mo mag-aasawa na rin ‘yan. They’ll have their own family, so you’re gonna be stuck with this guy na kailangan talaga love mo ‘yung taong makakasama mo, especially at my age now. Hindi na tayo — my God let’s run away! Hindi na exciting. Ngayon parang, let’s watch a movie, holding hands na lang, ‘di ba?”
But Ruffa thinks the feelings between the ex-couple will always be there.
“Siyempre, tatay siya ng mga anak ko. So never mawawala ‘yung love for him. May pinagsamahan. iba ‘yung asawa kaysa sa boyfriend.”
At her core, Ruffa is a giver. She no longer wishes for anything for herself; if anything, quality time is what she cherishes most. For her upcoming birthday on June 24, she only prays for good health for her parents.
Her love language is acts of service. As a nurturer and a provider, Ruffa understands the emotional and financial toll that comes with raising a family alone — and the joy that comes with seeing your loved ones thrive.
“Even now, I’m still the sole provider,” she shares. “So I’m thankful to brands like Kabayan Remit that trust me.”
And in true Ruffa fashion, she wraps it all up with honesty — and a little humor:
“If Yilmaz wants to support the kids, great. Let him send through Kabayan Remit. Download it na!”
