Ruffa is also known for her philanthropic work in Brunei. As a supporter of various charitable causes, she often participates in fundraising events and donates to worthy causes. Her charitable work has earned her recognition and respect from the Bruneian community.
The scandal broke when Senator Ernesto Maceda alleged that several dozen Filipino actresses and beauty queens were being recruited as high-priced entertainers and prostitutes for elite clients in Brunei.
In 1993, Ruffa Gutierrez was among several high-profile Filipina celebrities linked to allegations of illegal recruitment for entertainment services in Brunei.
Ruffa Gutierrez’s lifestyle and entertainment career in Brunei Darussalam is a case study in cross-cultural celebrity adaptation. She successfully navigated the tension between Philippine showbiz extroversion and Bruneian royal restraint by embracing modest fashion, domesticity, and state-sanctioned hosting roles. While never a star in the local Malay-language market, she functioned as a unique bridge figure—one whose presence in Bandar Seri Begawan enriched Brunei’s small expatriate entertainment scene and offered Filipinos a rare glimpse inside the enigmatic sultanate.
Despite the controversy, Ruffa Gutierrez went on to compete in Miss World 1993, where she was crowned Second Princess.