HOMEPAGE    RUFA MAE QUINTO    ARTICLES and INTERVIEWS    PHOTO GALLERY     MOVIES and MUSIC     TELEVISION     GUESTBOOK    CONTACT US     FREE EMAIL ADDRESS     HOTTEST LINKS     PEOPLE'S COMMENTS   

RUFA MAE BY NUMBERS

21
By JET VALLE

Rufa Mae Quinto is now celebrating her eighth year in showbiz. Yet the amazing thing about Rufa Mae -- or Peachy, as she is fondly called by close friends -- is that she remains uncompromisingly true to herself. Although the ride to stardom had not been easy, her spirit has remained unscathed by all the trials and tribulations that came along the way.

Here are 21 reasons why Rufa Mae is nothing remotely like her popular dim-witted onscreen persona.

1. Because every time she is presented a contract, she reads it meticulously and even gives her own comments unlike some other artists who just take the money and run.

2. Because she so impressed MTV top guns when she presented an award two years ago that she was made host of the MTV Pilipinas Awards the following year. “O ‘di ba, ka-level ko sina Vaness Wu at Michelle Branch!” she roars heartily.

3. Because Rufa Mae recently launched a new CD soundtrack (her idea, mind you), to supplement and complement another “baby” (and “labor of love”), the uproarious comedy Masikip sa Dibdib: Ang Buhay ni Boobita Rose.

4. Because she line produced Masikip sa Dibdib herself for Viva Films.

5. Because the new CD, a long-delayed and much-anticipated follow-up to her debut Rated R (of four years back), showcases yet another facet of this multitalented lady on three exciting cuts, including the title track.

6. Because she said, “We really wanted to go for quality with this new album, kumbaga world-class!”

7. Because Rufa Mae recruited for the album the industry’s best artists, who just happen to be her dearest pals: “Masikip sa Dibdib” is by Ogie Alcasid, “Baby Boy” is by Janno Gibbs, with a track by Lito Camo of “Spaghetti Song” and “Otso-Otso” fame.

8. Because truth be told, Rufa Mae has quite an extensive and eclectic musical background.

9. Because believe it or not, the album’s carrier track is a collaboration of sorts between Ms. Booba and Mr. Songwriter Ogie.

10. Because the resulting ditty is another winsome potential hit for Rufa Mae and Ogie. “It may sound simple,” she points out, “It may sound funny but it has a serious message, which is to empower women everywhere.”

11. Because her previous collaboration with Ogie, “Lumilipad” from her super heroine caper Super B., clinched a handful of nominations for Movie Theme Song of the Year from various award-giving bodies. “I’m really proud of that song,” she beams.

12. Because she was the one who originated the expressions “Todo na ‘to!” and “Go! Go! Go!”

13. Because she handled her break-up with ex-boyfriend Dingdong Avanzado with much grace that the whole nation sympathized with her when she was replaced with Jessa Zaragoza.

14. Because she was the one who reached out to Jessa. They’re now friends again.

15. Because before hitting the jackpot with Booba, Rufa Mae had her fair share of struggles.

16. Because as part of the “Wednesday group” of that show, Rufa Mae counted as batch mates such luminaries as Judy Ann Santos, Sunshine Dizon, and Kyla. “Imagine, I used to sing duets with Kyla,” Rufa Mae giggles. “O ‘di ba?”

17. Because she saves and saves her money as if there’s no tomorrow.

18. Because she spoke straight English for five straight minutes during her recent interview on The Buzz.

19. Because she personally visits her salon Booba’s Secret in Paranaque at least once a week.

20. Because she is in my Friendster group.

21. Because in her own words, mimicking a much-quoted line from Anna Dizon, “Booba is Booba.”