Annabelle Rama on scams, survival and stepping back

Annabelle Rama has never been one to hold back.

At the Maddox Gala night in Marikina City — where she served as the headlining model in a star-studded showcase — the veteran talent manager opened up about a side of her life she rarely discusses publicly: decades of losses, lessons, and hard-earned resilience in the jewelry business.

For Annabelle, her foray into jewelry began early, long before she became an entertainment industry force.

“Dalaga pa lang ako nag alahas na ako. Hindi ako umasenso. Kasi puro one year to pay, pag dating three months, talbog tseke,” she shared, recalling how what seemed like promising business transactions often turned into financial pitfalls.

She admitted that her earlier trust in long payment terms led to repeated disappointments. The experience hardened her approach to money, pushing her to abandon credit deals entirely.

“Ako puro bouncing check nakukuha ko. Ayoko kumuha kahit kanino. Meron ako lima na customer, puro cash. Hindi na ako papautang,” she said, emphasizing that she now deals strictly in cash and only with a very small circle of trusted clients.

Her candor extended to the legal battles she has pursued against those who failed to pay their dues — some of whom, she implied, were wealthy enough to know better.

“Marami na ako napakulong. Kasi walang pangbayad pero mayaman sila. Mga bilyonaryo, walang pangbayad,” she revealed. Though she refrained from naming names, she hinted at one remaining unresolved case:

“Ayoko mabangit pero sana isa diyan sana makulong na, para matuwa naman ako. 'Wag na clue baka mapatay ako.”

Despite the glamour of the gala and her runway moment — “Maganda, sosyal, maganda style, 'di ako papayag momodel ako ng panget,” she quipped — Annabelle made it clear that her priorities have shifted this holiday season.

With her husband, Eddie Gutierrez, currently undergoing health challenges, she is stepping back from events to focus on caregiving.

“Wala, may sakit asawa ko. Babantayan ko. Wala muna party party. We are leaving for Singapore na for treatment. [Gaya kay Maricel,] Lumbar, siya nakalakad na nga,” she revealed, confirming their upcoming trip for medical care.

The Maddox Gala still proved a festive night for supporters, featuring a lineup of familiar faces including Desiree Del Valle, Monching Gutierrez, Aubrey Miles, Maui Taylor, Ara Mina, Abby Viduya, Yayo Aguila, Jao Mapa, EA Guzman, and more. But it was Annabelle — unfiltered, humorous, and heartfelt — who commanded the spotlight with a mix of strength, honesty, and vulnerability.

Even after decades in showbiz, she remains a compelling figure — still stylish, still outspoken, and still as fearless as ever.