Ruffa Gutierrez is counting down to an emotional milestone as her eldest daughter, Lorin Bektas, prepares to walk across the stage and receive her college diploma in the United States—a moment the actress describes as both joyful and deeply fulfilling.
Lorin is set to graduate from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles this May after completing her degree in advertising and integrated marketing. Ruffa shared that she will be flying to California to attend the commencement ceremonies, which span May 1 and 2, marking the culmination of years of hard work for her daughter.
For Ruffa, watching Lorin reach this stage feels surreal. She admitted that the pride hits differently now that she officially has a college graduate in the family.
With Lorin finishing her studies, Ruffa said her focus will soon shift to supporting her younger daughter, Venice, who is currently pursuing a degree in political science. Both Lorin and Venice are Ruffa’s daughters with her Turkish ex-husband, Yilmaz Bektas.
Despite their separation, Ruffa emphasized that communication between her and Yilmaz remains open and consistent, especially when it comes to their children. When asked whether Yilmaz might also attend Lorin’s graduation, Ruffa playfully left the door open, hinting that it could be a surprise.
Ruffa was also quick to clarify that her daughters independently chose their academic paths. She stressed that she made it a point to let them decide for themselves, believing that education is most meaningful when driven by personal interest rather than parental pressure.
The actress shared these updates during a brief conversation with PEP.ph as she was leaving the 4th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group, held on January 25, 2026, at Cleo by Blue Leaf in Carmona, Cavite.
Beyond motherhood milestones, Ruffa also gave a lighthearted update on her personal life. For now, romance is not her priority, as she says her time is fully devoted to work and family.
While she admitted that there are people reaching out and showing interest, she joked that inspiration, occasional calls, and text messages are more than enough at this stage.
As for Valentine’s Day, Ruffa brushed it off with humor, saying she feels surrounded by love already—from friends, family, and the people around her.
Ruffa’s last publicly known relationship was with actor and former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, but these days, her spotlight is firmly on celebrating her daughter’s success and embracing a new chapter as a proud mom of a college graduate.