Ruffa Gutierrez. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Ruffa Gutierrez is asking for prayers and support for her sister-in-law, Alexa Uichico, who is currently battling leukemia. 

Alexa, the wife of Ruffa’s brother Elvis Gutierrez, has been struggling with the illness for several months now. 

At the grand launching of Banyan Tree Manila Bay at Okada Manila on Tuesday, Ruffa shared the difficulties faced by Alexa and Elvis. “She’s battling leukemia, just continue to pray for her. She’s actually struggling right now, I don’t want to talk about it because I might cry,” Ruffa said, her voice filled with emotion. 

She mentioned the emotional and physical toll the situation has taken on Elvis as well. “Elvis is also having a hard time because they’ve been in and out of the hospital since January so pagdasal po natin sila.” 

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The family faces additional challenges due to lack of necessary treatments available in the Philippines. “We really need your prayers kasi the treatment that she needs, wala dito sa Pilipinas, so I don’t know if she’s able to fly out or not so yun ang tinitignan namin,” Ruffa explained. 

Despite the hardships, Ruffa also shared some positive updates about her own family. She expressed her pride and gratitude for her daughters, Lorin and Venice. “Actually, when I see my kids, I feel blessed because pinalaki ko pala ‘tong dalawang ‘to and I would always het good reviews whenever they meet friends, whenever they have interviews,” she said. 

Ruffa praised her daughters for their articulate and expressive nature, emphasizing the importance of positivity and respect. “I think it’s also me raising them to be the best that they can be. Alam ko they’re very articulate, they’re very expressive when it comes to talking so para sakin, I just said don’t be so woke. Wag kayo masyadong woke na maninira kayo ng ibang tao. Always [be] positive, always [be] pleasant, and I’m very thankful that they listen.” 

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As her daughters prepare for significant milestones, Ruffa shared her plans for the upcoming months. “I’m dropping the kids off to university. For Lorin it’s her last year. Si Venice it’s her first year so in August I’m sending them to the States. By December nandito na [ulit] sila.” 

Ruffa also added, “I wanna slow down, I really wanna spend time with my parents because they’re not getting any younger and it’s a privilege for me to be able to spend time with them kasi syempre our parents are also getting old. I think every moment that I have, that I’m free, I want to spend it with my family.”