Ruby Ruiz shares Hollywood experience, says Filipino acting can compete

Veteran actress Ruby Ruiz recently spoke about her experience working on an international project and how it compares to her work in the Philippines. Ruiz portrayed Essie, the devoted Filipina nanny to Nicole Kidman’s character Margaret Woo, in the six-episode Amazon Prime Video series Expats, which premiered in January 2024.

“Sometimes I refuse to answer that question kasi syempre rooted pa rin ako dito sa local. Dito ako nagsimula at ito yung magmi-maintain sa akin,” Ruiz shared during the press conference for her upcoming movie Outside De Familia on August 2.“Para sa akin, yung Hollywood stint… medyo accidental yun na gift from God… Hindi sa hindi sinasadya [kasi] nag-audition and all, but I didn’t realize the magnitude of the project until I was there.”

“How do I compare, malayo po. Hindi siya dapat i-compare dahil lalabas na napaka-inferior nung ano natin. Dahil sila meron talagang resources… Pulidong-pulido yung trabaho, merong naka-assign sa ganito, sa ganyan, everything. On point lahat ng galaw. Dahil bawat galaw may katumbas na expenses. Sobrang grateful po ako na in my lifetime nakaranas ako ng isang Hollywood project,” she continued.

Ruby Ruiz highlighted that Filipino talent, particularly in acting, is something that can be proudly showcased on the world stage.

“Ang masasabi ko, yung galing po natin sa pag-arte, yun ang pwede nating ilaban talaga,” she said.

She noted that while local productions have become more organized—especially with the implementation of the Eddie Garcia Law—budget constraints remain compared to Hollywood.

“Kasi in terms of yung sa pagpo-produce… the way we run our productions, although ang dami na ngayon because of the Eddie Garcia Law and everything, mas conscious na tayo na mas inaayos yung pamamalakad ng pagso-shooting… Pero dahil nga  kung ikukumpara again with Hollywood or international, medyo salat tayo sa budget e… Parang we don’t have the luxury of budget for each and every department… Meron din po akong nasalihang mga, hindi naman Hollywood, pero international, e mahusay pa tayo kahit sa pamamalakad,” she continued.

Following her international project, Ruby Ruiz quipped that her talent fee has seen a slight increase.

“Nag-increase po. Ina-announce ko sa lahat ng mga producers—nagkaroon nang kaunting level up,” she said.

Ruby Ruiz stars in the upcoming drama Outside De Familia with Sheila Francisco, Gelli De Belen, Luis Alandy, Matet De Leon, and more. Directed by Joven Tan, Outside De Familia opens in cinemas nationwide on August 27.