Actress-TV host Ruby Rodriguez left the Philippines with her family during the pandemic.

Currently, she is thriving in her job at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles with events and TV hosting on the side.

She was last seen in the 2024 blockbuster movie Hello, Love, Again, topbilled by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards together with cast members Joross Gamboa, Valerie Concepcion, and Jennica Garcia.

ruby rodriguez on working in the u.s.

This author chanced upon Ruby at the Philippine Consulate office in L.A. and she generously gave us an update about her life and career.

“I’m all good. Iba naman,” she began.

“Kung minsan kapag sinasabing artista, ang connotation ay hindi nakapag-aral. Hindi naman po ganoon lagi.

“Iba na po ang artista sa Pilipinas. Most are already graduates. They studied.

“Marami na po tayong ganung kuwento.”

Ruby studied Business Administration in college back in the late ’80s, according to her linkedin profile.

Describing her current job at the Philippine Consulate, she said: “Ang fulfillment ko ay yun pong pinag-aralan ko ay ginagamit ko na ang utak ko ngayon sa pagsisilbi sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na nangangailangan, nanghihingi ng tulong.

“Yung hindi nakakaintindi sa batas natin, sa konstitusyon, dahil ang dami na rin pong amendments na nangyari, yun po ang itinutulong ko ngayon.

“Ginagamit ko na po ang utak ko ngayon para sa kabutihan na at paglilinaw sa batas, hindi na sa basta katarantaduhan na lang.”

Does she miss her life in showbiz?

“Yes, nami-miss ko ang show business,” Ruby answered.

“Pero the thing that I am doing now sa consulate ay para na rin akong nasa show business. Kasi when I start to brief the people, they make me go out, so para akong nasa showbiz, nagho-host pa rin.”

While she is still open to do acting and hosting gigs, Ruby underlined that her day job is still her priority.

“I kinda miss it, kaya I may not be practicing that here a lot.

“Pero kung may offers naman for me to host or appear on TV… I have had mga table reads na rin dito.

“They would allow me naman to do those things. Basta hindi ito magko-conflict sa trabaho ko rito [sa consulate], kasi gusto ko ito!”

ruby rodriguez on why she MOVED TO THE U.S.

The veteran actress-host has always been vocal about her decision to move to the U.S. in 2021.

Her husband Mark Aquino and their two kids Toni and AJ are also based there.

“One of the reasons why I am here is because of my daughter, Toni. She was way ahead of us here, nasa Pilipinas pa lang kami.

“She is doing very well here. She is working now at alam kong kaya niya kaya hindi ako natatakot.”

Then Ruby spoke about her son AJ who has special needs and an autoimmune disease.

“It’s really for my son. Healthcare is better here, not just healthcare.

“Education is good in the Philippines but education for special children is different here.

“They have more openings, they have more pathways for children to improve their lives, be independent and productive member of the society.”

“Mas gusto niya ang Pilipinas. Mahal na mahal niya ang Pilipinas. Mas mahal niya ang Pilipinas kaysa ako.

“Siyempre, when you’re married for a long time, we’re basically good friends.

“Since only child siya, ang buo niyang pamilya nandodoon [sa Pilipinas].

“Hindi katulad ko, nandito na [sa U.S.] lahat ng kapatid ko, nandito na mga kamag-anak ko. So, siyempre hati siya.”

As parents, Ruby explained that she and her husband understood that their children’s needs come first.

“Hindi ako ang mas mahal niya. Ang mas mahal niya ay ang mga anak niya.

“Hindi siya masaya rito, pero dahil masaya ang mga anak ko, lalo na si AJ, nilululon [ng mister ko] ang lahat para sa anak ko.

“Pang-MMK at Magpakailanman ang buhay ko.

“Maganda yan, collab, wala nang away-away, pang-Maalaala Mo Magpakailanman.”

RUBY RODRIGUEZ ON MMFF’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN LOS ANGELES

Meanwhile, Ruby is looking forward to participating in Metro Manila Film Festival’s 50th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles.

Ruby will be hosting the turnover of an iconic jeepney to the Filipino community in Los Angeles.

The event will be graced by Don Artes, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority and MMFF.

“I’ll be hosting for the Filipino community for the MMDA’s MMFF 50 in LA.

“I’m grateful to MMDA kasi ang dami kong pelikula na naipalabas sa MMFF—lahat ng Okey Ka Fairy Ko at Enteng Kabisote. And I would also host mga parades before [in the Philippines].

“So, this event is the turnover of the jeepney to the Filipino community here in L.A.

“There is a Filipino historic town dito sa L.A., just like Little Tokyo, Korea Town.

“We have our own with the arch and all, and the jeepney is unique to us all. I hope the phase out of the jeepney shouldn’t happen.

“Sana we can push for improvements and modernization especially with the machines, but not a total phase out. Maybe an upgrade.”

A star-studded concert Konsyerto Para Sa Pilipino will be the culminating activity on March 8 at the Lyric Theater at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, California. Registration is at 2 P.M. and show proper is at 4 P.M. Tickets are free.

World-class concert performances will be delivered by Jaya, Jed Madela, John Arcilla, Joey Albert, and Junior New System.

There will also be a meet and greet with MMFF stars including Dingdong Dantes, Ruru Madrid, Enchong Dee, Cedrick Juan, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin

They will be joined by Lorna Tolentino, Janice de Belen, Sylvia Sanchez, Arjo Atayde. Sofia Pablo, MJ Lastimosa, Alexa Miro, and Kaladkaen.

Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, lead stars of the upcoming Star Cinema film My Love Will Make You Disappear, will also be part of the event.

Presented by Metro Manila Film Festival, Metro Manila Development Authority and PAGCOR , the free concert is supported by Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles, CineGang, Mowelfund, and GF Bayona Productions.