Annabelle: ‘Showbiz army’ to back Rama in 2013

WITH or without a congressional bid, talent manager Annabelle Rama vowed to flood Cebu City’s north district with her stable of Manila-based showbiz stars in next year’s election.

The talent manager and mother of actors  Ruffa, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez visited the Sto. Niño Basilicia in Cebu City to offer  thanksgiving  for her safe US trip and the lifting of an  arrest warrant against her for failing to attend a libel case hearing in Quezon City.

Annabelle told reporters yesterday that she, her husband Eddie Gutierrez and six children, 25 actors and actresses whose careers she’s managing and her celebrity friends committed to campaign for her if she runs for Congress.

And even if she doesn’t run for office,  Annabelle said she would  still bring this celebrity support to  campaign for Mayor Michael Rama’s reelection.

“I’ll turn the city’s north district into a showbiz site,” she said.

For now, Annabelle said she’s waiting for results of a survey to gauge the chances of her candidacy and permission from her brother, Basak San Nicolas barangay captain George Rama.

George said his sister was qualified for the role but  would prefer that she remain in showbiz.

“Politics is troublesome,” he said.

Still, George said he can’t stop his sister from running if she decides to do so.

The arrest warrant was issued after Annabelle Rama failed to attend the hearing of a libel case filed by actress Nadia Montenegro.

Anabelle said her lawyer had advised her that it was all right to to leave for the US to watch the Pacquiao-Bradley fight since a motion for reconsideration which they filed remained unresolved.

Her daughter Ruffa called to inform her of the arrest warrant which prompted her to return to Manila last Sunday.

On Monday she appeared in court and sought the cancellation of the warrant for her arrest.

Anabelle said she decided to visit Cebu City yesterday to offer prayers of thanskgiving in the Sto. Nino basilica.

She also hosted lunch for relatives including Mayor Michael Rama in a restaurant on Ramos Street.

After lunch, Mayor Rama gave her a Team Rama polo shirt and asked her to wear it to a birthday party which they attended in barangay Talamban last night.

Talamban barangay captain Ronald Caminade invited Mayor Rama and Anabelle Rama to dinner to celebrate the birthday part of his brother, Dennis.

“I have a probable candidate for the north district so I’d bring her to the birthday party,” the mayor said.

Anabelle said she is giving the prospect of running for congress in Cebu City’s north district serious thougth.

She said her children worry about how this  would affect her health and her business, but they remain supportive of her plans along with her friends in Cebu.

Annabelle said she  doesn’t personally  know Rep. Rachel del Mar and only saw her in the US during the Pacquiao-Bradley fight after promoter Wakee Salud pointed out the congresswoman to her.

She said doesn’t  see any problem mixing showbiz and politics. “Wherever you go, it entertains the masses,” she said.

Anabelle said she comes to  Cebu City every week or two to visit relatives. The visits may be more frequent  in the coming days to campaign for the mayor, she said.