MANILA -- After her "relationship" reveal with former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista during her interview with Karen Davila, Ruffa Gutierrez is still reluctant to share details about her and her new boyfriend.

Ruffa Gutierrez admits relationship with Herbert Bautista

The issue about their romance swirled around months ago, but Gutierrez decided to keep mum about it to protect her privacy.

“For me at my age, I’m turning 50 this year, I’d rather keep things quiet, and I want to focus on my personal life. And I believe that relationship lasts, it’s because it’s private,” she said, adding, “I don’t really want to talk about it so it’s better that we keep quiet, I don’t want to also hide it ‘coz it’s been a long time.”

Their relationship bloomed during the filming of the pandemic comedy series "The House Arrest of Us" starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla back in 2020. Since then, Gutierrez and Bautista had steady communication and relationship.

“Everything’s good. I am enjoying my privacy. Even my mom was like ‘bakit ka nag-aannounce, magpapakasal ka na ba?’” she said.

Gutierrez’s mothere, Anabelle Rama, in the past has always been vocal about her daughter’s affairs. From suitors to ex-husband Ylmaz Bektas, Rama would always have something to say.

“That’s the story of my life, di ba? But I think with my mom now, she thinks I’m old enough siguro naman noh, hindi na siya masyadong nagme-meddle. But she’s always gonna be my mom and she’s always gonna be outspoken,” Gutierrez said. 

But the big reveal, according to Gutierrez, is: “And also I think she likes and she appreciates the person that I am dating now.”

Last Sunday, Ruffa celebrated her 50th birthday with family and friends. The actress uploaded a reel on her Instagram account and some of the guests spotted at the party were Arlene Muhlach, Karla Estrada, Sunshine Cruz and her boyfriend Bautista.