SHE?S not supposed to fall in love this year, says actress-TV host Ruffa Gutierrez, who is being romantically linked to Smartmatic-Asia Pacific president Cesar Flores.

?A feng shui expert told me that this year is not my year for love. She said that if I force it, I will only break my heart and make it bleed,? Gutierrez told the Inquirer.

In 2007, Gutierrez broke up with her husband, Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas. They have two daughters ? Lorin 7, and Venice, 6.

Last year, the 36-year-old actress had a short-lived affair with John Lloyd Cruz, who is nine years her senior.

It?s too premature to talk about any romance now brewing between her and the Venezuelan businessman Flores, she said.

?I just met him,? she pointed out. ?We?ve seen each other only three times...He?s very nice. People around us say we look good together. [But] I don?t want to give them false hopes. I consider him my NFF (newfound friend).?

Wait-and-see

Flores heads Smartmatic-Asia Pacific, which provided the electronic voting technology used in the recent national elections.

Gutierrez noted that, just when she was starting to enjoy his company, he had to fly back home to Venezuela. ?If he comes back and calls me, we?ll see. Right now, I just want to focus on work,? she said.

She has a new hosting gig: ?Star Factor,? a reality talent search produced by TV5. It will be formally launched today with auditions at the SM Mall of Asia?s Music Hall.

Regional tryouts will also be held in Davao on August 1 and Cebu on August 7.

The Star Makers, or the show?s panel of judges, is headed by stage actor-director Audie Germora. Members are writer-filmmaker Joey Reyes, fashion photographer Raymond Isaac, songwriter-producer Ryan Cayabyab and talent manager Annabelle Rama (Gutierrez?s mother).

Aspirants should be between 13-18 years old. Those under 18 are required to submit their parents? letter of consent. Registration forms are available at the audition venues.