Actress Ruffa Gutierrez couldn't help but be moved to tears at the press launch for Avon's Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign today, May 20, at the Ayala Museum. As Avon's endorser and ambassador for the cause listened to the experiences of other battered women (dramatized by stage actresses Irma Adlawan, Liesl Batucan, and Stella Canete), she told FN, "I'm remembering it again," referring to her experience with domestic violence at the hands of estranged husband Yilmaz Bektas.
Later, she said, "Yes, you need to speak out and reach out to your family, but what's important is starting over--that's the most difficult part. It's been three years and I have a new life. May bagong buhay na ako, thanks to the love and support of my family, friends and my Avon family."
Ruffa also announced during the press launch that she was donating the P200,000 she won recently on the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" to the Women's Crisis Center. She jokingly said to Sister Mary John Mananzan, the Center's co-founder and chairperson, "Sister, I hope you'll continue to pray for me!"
To learn more about Avon's campaign and see Ruffa's 2009 birthday activities at the Women's Crisis Center, check out the gallery below.
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