NEWSFLASH

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MANILA BAN ON RUFFA LIFTED SOON

Manila, July 4, 1998 - After 4 long years, theaters in the city of Manila will soon be allowed to show movies starring Ruffa Gutierrez.

The lifting of a city-wide ban on Ruffa, imposed by Mayor Alfredo Lim as a result of the 1994 Manila Film Festival Awards Night fiasco, was the subject of an appeal to the Manila City Council by Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday. Ruffa and her parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabel Rama, were at the session hall gallery, watching and waiting for the reaction of the Councilors.

"Ruffa has suffered so much, has shown remorse. It is time to forgive," Atienza said. Later, Atienza assured the Gutierrez family that the ban would be lifted soon.

"I am sure the cityy Councilors have the heart and compassion to forget the past and move on to some pressing problems of the city. Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna concurred, saying that "whatever is good for the city will be approved by the council."

Ruffa told the Councilors that the Film Festival, which resulted in court cases filed against her, has taught her lessons in humility and responsibility.

"I have learned that popularity is fleeting, that as an entertainment personality I have a big responsibility to uphold myself as a role model for the youth. I am sorry for everything. I have realized my mistakes and I am trying to make up for them," a tearful Ruffa said.

Among the members of the Manila City Council is Kim Atienza, the good-looking son of Mayor Atienza, who got re-elected to his second term. Kim is a good friend of Ruffa, and was a special guest at the launching of her project "Roof-A-Child Foundation" on her birthday last June 24.

Among the first beneficiaries of Ruffa's project are the children in San Andres Bukid, the home district of Mayor Atienza and Councilor Kim Atienza.

Observers note that the "model behavior" of Ruffa, as evidenced by the concern she has shown for the less fortunate, will have a positive influence on the final resolution of the ban by the Manila City Council.

The Manila Film Festival court case gainst Ruffa is still being tried.