On this day, 32 years ago, Filipina beauty queen, Sharmaine “Ruffa” Gutierrez, clinched a top spot at the 43rd edition of Miss World. Competing with 81 contestants from around the globe at the Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa, Ruffa earned the title Miss World 1993 Second Runner-Up.
Here’s a look back at her remarkable journey:
From a popular showbiz clan to making a name in the world of pageantry
Ruffa was no stranger to the spotlight, being the only daughter of actor Eddie Gutierrez and talent manager Annabelle Rama. In the early 1990s, she was already active in showbiz, appearing in films, sitcoms, and TV programs.
But in 1993, she made a life-changing decision to shift from entertainment to pageantry. She joined Binibining Pilipinas and was crowned Binibining Pilipinas–World 1993 at just 18 years old, alongside fellow titleholders Melinda Joanna Gallardo (Miss Universe), Sheela Mae Santari (Miss International), and Ana Maria Gonzalez (Elite Model Look of the Year 1993).
In an interview with The STAR, Ruffa revealed that two years before joining, she was already being recruited for pageants because of her height.
“I kept saying no because I was so busy with my showbiz career doing countless movies with Regal Films, was a Monday mainstay of ‘That’s Entertainment’ and had two regular sitcoms, ‘Ready Na, Direk’ and ‘13,14,15,’” she recalled.
She shared that she initially wanted to decline the pageant opportunity: “I went to the Bb. Pilipinas screening straight from the beach with my curly hair and polka dot polo shirt to politely tell Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta that I wouldn’t be able to be a candidate that year. I was 50/50 and unsure of myself because I had zero preparations.”
But during her appearance at the screening, a dramatic moment unfolded. Many beauty queen aspirants allegedly walked out after assuming Ruffa already had a guaranteed spot due to her celebrity status.
“While I was explaining myself to the BPCI executive committee on why I couldn’t join, nagkakagulo na pala outside. More than 60 percent of the aspiring beauty queens walked out. (They were saying) For sure, I was gonna win kasi artista daw ako. My assistant even got involved in a fistfight with a catty candidate (laughs),” Ruffa shared in the same interview.
The incident unexpectedly fueled her determination to push through with the competition. She soon became a frontrunner and ultimately took home the Binibining Pilipinas World crown.
A young but determined Filipina beauty queen on the world stage
As Ruffa traveled abroad to compete in Miss World 1993, she admitted feeling terrified as it was her first time journeying alone.
In the same interview with The STAR, she shared several untold stories from her international pageant experience. While she made friends with fellow delegates, not everything was glamorous.
“I was thrilled to represent the Philippines in the Miss World Beauty Pageant that would take place in November 1993 at the Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, South Africa. The preliminaries were held in London, England. I was terrified because it was my first time to travel alone. I made a lot of friends but some candidates were competitive,” she shared.
Image Credit: iloveruffag IG
She went on: “The heels I was set to wear for the coronation were stolen from my room and were found under the bed of another candidate’s room. I made headlines in Sun City because during pre-pageant socials, I ordered fresh milk while everyone was having wine.”
Despite the pressures and unexpected challenges, Ruffa performed with grace and confidence, earning her the Second Runner-Up title.
During the question and answer round of the competition, Ruffa was asked with the question: “What would you tell a girl who’s suffering from low-esteem to make her feel better about herself?”
Ruffa answered, “I’ll tell her to believe in herself, because it’s not only physical beauty that’s important but also inner beauty. Like what the ‘Little Prince’ said, ‘What is essential in invisible to the naked eye.’ And I believe that character and personality are more important than physical beauty.”
Image Credit: iloveruffag IG
Ruffa’s life after the crown
Following Miss World, Ruffa returned to showbiz. She embraced new roles over the decades, especially being a mother to her daughters.
Last year, she joined fellow beauty queens across generations to celebrate Binibining Pilipinas’ 60th anniversary, a tribute to iconic Filipina queens. She revealed receiving offers to rejoin pageantry but declined, expressing that she now prefers mentoring aspiring beauty queens.
In 2025, marking 32 years since her Miss World achievement, Ruffa reflected on her journey in a heartfelt social media tribute.
“What a journey it has been! 👑 ✨ 32 years ago on November 27, 1993, I proudly represented the Philippines at the Miss World Beauty Pageant in Sun City, South Africa, where I was honored to be named Asia’s Queen of Beauty and 2nd Runner-Up. Back then, no phones or social media—just memories etched in my heart forever. ❤️ 🇵🇭,” Ruffa wrote. “To all who have walked this path with me, thank you! 🙏🏻🥹”
She also shared her commitment to continued growth: “Three decades later, I’m still pursuing my passions while also taking on the exciting challenge of grad school for my Master’s in Communication Arts at Philippine Women’s University. Age is just a number! 🙌🏻 Let’s keep reaching for our dreams. 🌟 Here’s to the next chapter!”
“Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng nagmamahal. Mabuhay tayong mga Pilipino! 🙌 Love you all from the bottom of my heart! ❤️❤️❤️ #MissWorld #BinibiningPilipinas,” she stated.