MANILA, Philippines?Ruffa Gutierrez is worried that, by the end of the run of the forthcoming ABS-CBN series ?I Love Betty La Fea,? she may need Botox treatments.

It?s because her character, Daniela Valencia, is a world-class meanie, she clarifies. ?She?s always frowning.?

In ?Ugly Betty,? the Hollywood version of the Colombian soap hit, Ruffa?s character is being played by fellow beauty queen Vanessa Williams. ?She?s always wide-eyed on the show, as if she?s just had Botox,? Ruffa says in jest.

Coincidentally, it was judge Vanessa who asked Ruffa?s make-or-break question in the 1993 Miss World contest where she emerged Second Princess.

Ruffa has the complete DVD set of the US series, but is purposefully avoiding watching all the episodes.

?I hope to come up with my own interpretation of the role,? she explains. ?In any case, the first time I watched it, I was with my kids and there was a love scene! I had to turn if off.?

Although she?s making a point not to imitate Vanessa, Ruffa considers the ?Ugly Betty? star as one of her ?inspirations? in creating Daniela, along with Meryl Streep in ?The Devil Wears Prada,? model and reality show star Kimora Lee Simmons and, yes, herself.

?I can relate with Daniela because we both love fashion, but I can?t match her drive and ambition. Unlike her, I will not step on toes just to advance in my career,? Ruffa asserts.

Tip from mom

That?s one tip her mom-manager Annabelle Rama taught her and her siblings, she notes. ?We know our place. If there are more senior stars [with us on a show], we?ll readily give way. My mom made certain that we know how to respect our elders.?

Which is sorely lacking in today?s generation of stars, she observes.

?They don?t even know how to say ?Hello.? It?s as if they?re waiting for me to greet them first,? she gasps in mock exasperation. ?Why should I? I?ve paid my dues. Years in show biz have taught me to be friendly to everyone?even the drivers and alalays (assistants). Today?s stars didn?t have our kind of training.?

If there?s another trait she shares with her TV persona Daniela it?s her being a devoted big sis.

?On the show, I became nasty because I want to protect my younger sister Marcella [played by Megan Young]. That?s one thing I have in common with Daniela,? she insists. ?I?m the eldest and I have five younger brothers. I?m their ate. I give them advice when they need it and I make sure they don?t hang out with people who are bad influences.?

She describes Daniela as ?scheming, flamboyant, sophisticated.? She says her character?s bound to make life hellish for the put-upon ugly duckling Betty La Fea, portrayed by Bea Alonzo.

?But Daniela?s not the usual contravida,? Ruffa says. ?I want her to have a soft side. I don?t wish for Bea?s fans to throw tomatoes at me the next time they see me in public.?

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