Annabelle Rama's congressional bid 'a blessing in disguise'

ANNABELLE Rama's daughter, Ruffa Gutierrez, said her mother's decision to seek for a congressional seat in the north district of Cebu City is "a blessing in disguise".

Sun.Star spoke to the actress during the "Enchanted Garden" tree planting activity and press visit in Bataan over the weekend.

Ruffa said that because of her mom's busy political career, the latter doesn't have time to read negative Twitter messages and answer all her haters and critics.

"This is a blessing in disguise. God is showing her this direction so that it will veer her away from all the non-sense intrigues that she's been in lately," Ruffa said.

Ruffa said that it is no big surprise that Annabelle decided to enter public service because she comes from a political family in Cebu. She's always home in the province and eager to help her kababayans.

"A lot of people don't know that my mom comes from a political family in Cebu. The Rama's are known to be in public service. Akala nila my mom is just a shoe-in, but they don't know her cousins, uncles and mga kapatid, they are all in politics," she said.

"Even if she's a talent manager, she's in showbiz, her roots really comes from that -- being in politics. I think this is the time for her to be serious, a time for her to focus on that and help her kababayans," she added.

The actress also revealed that Annabelle currently has tutors and advisers in the province teaching her good governance and public administration. She said her mom is really focused in this aspect of her life.

Ruffa also reiterated that the whole family is behind Annabelle. If they were a bit hesitant at first, she explained that it was because they don't want to subject Annabelle to more controversies.

"In the beginning I'm against her running because ma-miss namin siya, yung company niya and at the same time we're already quite busy as artists," she said. "Kung maintriga na nga yung mundo ng showbiz, tapos dagdagan pa ng pulitika mas magiging maintriga pa lalo yung buhay namin. Ayokong mangyari sana yun."

But Annabelle proved to her family that this is the path she wants to take.

Last October 5, the whole family, from patriarch Eddie Gutierrez to Ruffa, Richard, Raymond, Elvis, step-brothers Tonton and Ramon Christopher flew in to the province to witness Annabelle's filing of her certificate of candidacy.

Annabelle's talents from Royal Era Entertainment and Artists Management, television personalities Michelle and Ehra Madrigal and Arci Munoz also attended the event.

Ruffa said they will definitely help her mom in this new calling. She said she's keen to focus on women and children sector while younger brothers Richard and Raymond will reach out to the youth and will tap the environmental groups.

The actress knows Annabelle will be an asset for Cebu. Ruffa is confident that her mom will make it in the May 2013 elections.

When asked why Cebuanos should vote Annabelle in the 2013 poll, the television host/actress said: "Cebuanos should vote for her because she's not a liar, she's not corrupt. In terms of making law for the government and being in the congress, I think it will be quite amusing to watch my mom there because she'll really have a different presence and I think she can do well for people because she has the heart."

"If Manny Pacquiao can do it, I'm sure my mom can too," Ruffa said. (Sunnex)