Ruffa Gutierrez said her ex-husband Yilmaz Bektas wanted to “propose and get married” to her again, a revelation that ignited talk of a possible rekindling of romance between them.

Gutierrez made the revelation in an ambush interview on the sidelines of a beauty drink launch in Quezon City last Tuesday, March 11. The beauty queen-actress, who is now in a relationship with Herbert Bautista, was quick to shut down such speculations.

Still, Bektas’ gestures toward her of late left a lot of questions, such as why he refers to her as his “boss.”

“Ako ang boss niya. Hindi siya makahanap ng isang katulad ko. Hanap siya nang hanap sa buong mundo,” she gamely told reporters. “As a matter of fact, he wanted to propose and get married to me again. I thought it was a joke. Gusto niya akong yayain three months ago.”

(I’m his boss. He couldn’t find anyone like me despite looking around the world. As a matter of fact, he wanted to propose and get married to me again. I thought it was a joke. He wanted to ask me three months ago.)

Gutierrez further said she thought that Bektas’ proposal was a “joke,” and she was in denial at the time. The Turkish businessman, however, seemed firm with his offer and even invited her to go on a train around Europe.

“Sabi ko, ‘Is this a joke?’ [Sabi niya], ‘No, I want to invite you to be on a train with me,’ and mag-train daw kami all over Europe. So, sabi ko, ‘Totoo ba ‘to or baka he’s planning my murder on the plane or train. Sabi niya, ‘I’ll just visit you na lang there [in the Philippines],’” she recalled.

(I said, “Is this a joke?” He said, “No, I want to invite you to be on a train with me,” and we’ll ride a train all over Europe. So I said, “Is this real or is he planning my murder on the plane or train?” He said, “I’ll just visit you there in the Philippines.”)

When asked outright if Bektas is courting her again, Gutierrez clarified that it’s not the case but is nonetheless happy that they are on good terms.

I don’t say he’s courting me again. At least, we’ve come to that decision and that time in our lives where we can joke and be happy with one another,” she said. “Matagal ko na siyang hindi nakikita eh (I haven’t seen him for a long time). The last time I saw him was 18 years ago.”

Bektas’ relationship with their kids

The former beauty queen was also asked how Bektas’ relationship with their daughters Lorin and Venice improved since their reunion in 2022. According to Gutierrez, they have been communicating “regularly” and he also helps in supporting them financially.

“It’s been two years since they reconnected with their father and I’m very happy that they’re more at ease. ‘Yung pain na nakita ko sa heart nila for many years, nawala. I’m just so happy for my daughters because they have a personal relationship with their dad. Kami rin ni Yilmaz, okay kami. Minsan nagbibiruan kami.”

(It’s been two years since they reconnected with their father and I’m very happy that they’re more at ease. The longstanding pain in their hearts went away. I’m just so happy for my daughters because they have a personal relationship with their dad. Yilmaz and I are okay. We sometimes joke around.)

Even though their marriage had long ended, Gutierrez said she would always wish him well. “I always wish him well. I always wish he becomes successful in life kasi (because) his success is also the success of my kids.”

“No matter where he goes, there can be only one Ruffa. And he knows that,” she added in jest.

Gutierrez and Bektas tied the knot in 2003 and their marriage was annulled nine years later.