THE  TURKEY  PRESSCON  THAT  NEVER  WAS
 

MANILA, APRIL 16, 2008 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - A few days after Yilmaz Bektas flew back to Istanbul Sunday last week after a surprise four-day visit with his estranged wife Ruffa Gutierrez and their daughters Lorin and Venice, a rumor circulated that he would be giving an “explosive” presscon last Friday in Istanbul in which he would make “shocking” revelations. The guess was that Yilmaz would confirm that he was filing an annulment case, and other “secrets” besides.

Thankfully, there was never any presscon, much to the relief of Ruffa who claimed that she was not at all “bothered” by reports linking Yilmaz to 2006 Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico. Yilmaz insisted that she was only his “business partner.” In fact, a Turkish newspaper which published the Yilmaz-Zuleyka “romance” also linked Yilmaz to another beauty queen from Puerto Rico, identified as 1998 Miss World Joyce Giraud. (Note: According to Funfare “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, Joyce was not a winner. She represented Puerto Rico in the 1994 Miss World pageant where Ruffa finished Second Princess, or third placer; and placed second runner-up in the 1998 Miss Universe contest.)

Ruffa confirmed to Funfare that, as per the Turkish newspaper report, Yilmaz now lives in Barcelona, Spain, which was mentioned by Yilmaz when he was here last year in a last-ditch effort to win back Ruffa as the place where he wanted him and Ruffa (and their daughters) to start life anew.

Here’s an excerpt from that Turkish newpaper story, translated into English by a Funfare contributor who sent the clipping:

Contractor Yilmaz Bektas, the former owner of Fashion TV Turkey, is always on the agenda of tabloid press because of his passion for luxurious cars and romantic relationships with beautiful ladies from the world of models. His fame in flirtatiousness is recognized on international arena...

...Actually, the Latin beauty queen is familiar with Turks and Turkey. Miss Universe visited (the) country and was hosted by “Beyaz Show” after she was crowned. Love affair of Yilmaz and Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza has started in Mexico City, Mexico, during the 2007 Miss Universe contest. Mendoza attended (the event) to hand over her crown to the new beauty queen (Riyo Mori from Japan) and she met Yilmaz during the after-party. Friendship between the couple has turned into a romantic relationship in time. The couple has been going out for a while and recently they spent romantic days in Istanbul...

Incidentally, Joyce Giraud denied having had any romantic relationship with Yilmaz. Here’s Joyce’s “official statement” sent to Ruffa’s LA-based friend Monet Lu who forwarded it to Funfare:

Usually I would not comment on this type of false stories but as Ruffa’s dear and long-time friend, I told Ruffa I would make a statement to clarify the matter.

At no time did I have a relationship with Yilmaz. I only know him as the boyfriend-husband of my friend Ruffa. The only purpose for my visit to Turkey was to do a campaign that Ruffa suggested me to do. She has a copy of my entire portfolio which she helped organize for me.

Again, at no time did I ever have an affair or any relationship with Yilmaz. Any such allegations are unequivocally false.

I love Ruffa and she is a dear friend. I also love the Philippines!!! When I was there, the people gave me so much love, they made me feel I was at home, so I hope to go back one day.

Tirador’s triple win in Singapore fest

From Funfare’s Toronto-based “international correspondent” Ferdinand Lapuz, this report:

Brillante “Dante” Mendoza’s Tirador (Slingshot) won three Silver Screen awards at the just-concluded 21st Singapore International Film Festival (April 4 to 14): Best Asian Feature Film, Best Director (for Mendoza) and NETPAC Award. Out of Coverage won the Special Jury Award and Inessa Kislova the Best Performance Award (for Swift).

Produced by Centerstage Productions and written by Ralston Joel Jover, with Armando Lao as creative consultant, Tirador stars Jiro Manio, Coco Martin, Kristoffer King and Nathan Lopez, with the special participation of Jaclyn Jose and Julio Diaz.

It had its world premiere in September last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, won the Special Jury Award at the Marrakesh Filmfest in December last year and the Caligari Award at the Berlinale last February. It’s competing this month in Indianapolis (USA), Milan (Italy) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), and in Granada (Spain) in June.

Tirador has been screened in 20 international filmfests and will be shown at filmfests in Seattle (USA), Karlovy Vary, Sydney and Melbourne (Australia), Edinburgh (UK), Durban (South Africa), Bangkok (Thailand) and Warsaw (Poland).

It has been acquired for distribution in France (by Swift Distribution), and United Kingdom and Ireland (by Pecadillo Pictures). It will be shown in Manila soon.

What’s up?

• Here’s Fr. Corsie Legaspi’s healing schedule for the rest of April and early May: April 19 (Saturday), 26 (Saturday) and 28 (Monday), healing session from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center in Binakayan, Cavite; and May 1 (Thursday), 2 to 7 p.m., Karakol (from the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center to Freedom Park in Kawit, Cavite).

• Australia Australia! is a month-long promo event from April 15 to May 15 in participating supermarkets, department stores, beauty bars, fashion boutiques, pet stores and other retail outlets throughout the Philippines. The event highlights Australian food and non-food products such as wine, beverages, fashion, personal care, pets and pet feeds, building and construction supplies, etc. During the promo period, an SMS-generated raffle will be conducted for lucky patrons to get a chance to win the major prize of two round-trip (economy) tickets to Australia courtesy of Qantas, plus several minor prizes such as gift certificates, sample products and other Australia goodies.

• Sun Cellular, Greenhills Shopping Center and Jobstreet.com present Job Lounge, in cooperation with Jobstreet Select, Convergy’s, Teletech, Telus, IBM Daksh and Accenture. Venue is Virra Mall, starting today until April 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Unlimited free cups of coffee guaranteed.

• From Lyn Cruz, wife of Tirso Cruz III, this item: Nora Aunor topbills A Million Thanks to Mama, a Mother’s Day presentation, on April 25 at the Glendale Hilton, Glendale, California, with Jo Awayan as guest performer. Last February, Tirso guested on Nora’s show in Oxnard, California, produced by the International Cultural Association of California for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga. The loveteam (photo) sang Together Again.

• Ricky Reyes has invited Hong Kong hairstylist Kenti Tam to hold a Cuts and Colours seminar today and tomorrow (April 16 and 17), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Ricky Reyes Learning Institute in Quiapo, Manila. Tam graduated from Vidal Sassoon in London, trained in England and France, and started his hairdressing career in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Assisting Tam in the seminar are Alma Calpahi and Jun Ambrosio of the RRLI’s training division, training supervisor Bong Sayo and RRLI instructor Willie Victoriano. For inquiries, call Bong Sayo at 0915-5293533 or landlines 733-4848 and 733-5162.