Kris on ‘Mistresses,’ changes in MMFF entry
Kris Aquino has addressed rumors that her Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista is not pushing through.
“The categorical answer to the filmfest question is, it is pushing through but there will be changes that I’m not allowed to mention because kailangan namin ng approval ng MMDA,” she said on the matter at the press conference for her upcoming movie, “Etiquette for Mistresses.”
Prodded for more details, she added, “Categorically, ’di ba sinabi ko I am still involved kasi I can speak for myself and my son is involved kasi I am his guardian
at nakapirma kami. But there will be additions to the cast and that’s it...”
She did speak freely about “Etiquette for Mistresses,” saying it came at the right time since she’s at the age when “I do like rules, I like following, I like obeying, I like having a pattern.”
On working with Kim Chiu, she said, “My character kasi had to nurture the character of Kim and that is second nature to me. Kasi parati kong sinasabi na hindi man ako nabiyayaan ng anak na babae o younger sister, all in one si Kim. ’Yun, kaya hindi naging mahirap in that sense
(working with her).”
On Divorce
Having gone through failed relationships, Kris, a devout Catholic, has her thoughts on divorce.
She explained, “I’ve been through an annulment (so) I know how painful it
is. (But I still believe na) kung ikasal ka dapat forever kasi may forever. Forever ang mom and dad ko, forever ’yung tatlong kapatid kong babae pero mahirap talaga.
(At kapag naghiwalay kayo) mahal, mahirap, masakit at kailangan mong balikan lahat ng issue na nagpasakit at nakasira sa inyong dalawa. And in the end, the truth? The children pay for it because all the dirty laundry is there in the court papers for them to read.”
‘Kabit’ tag
The TV host is not worried some people still tag her “kabit” (or the other woman), noting, “It’s no secret I was in two relationships with men whose marriages were not annulled. So, dedma, ’di ba?”
Kris maintains her kids know about it.
“Wala akong tinatago dahil alam naman ni Bimb. The only person I’m answerable to is this eight-year-old. Alam niya kasi sabi ko mababasa niya sa internet, mapapanood niya sa YouTube. Sinabi ko hindi madali kasi you’re really judged. I heard that word so often, that kabit, because hindi pa plantsado at maayos. Dumaan din ako sa marriage na nagloko ’yung asawa ko.
“So, I’ve looked at love from both sides now, ’ika nga. Sa totoo lang, pipiliin ko ’yung madali, ’yung wala kang kaagaw, wala kang kashare kasi tama ’yung sinabi ni Iza (Calzado), ‘Who really wants to share a man?’”
Love has taught Kris valuable lessons that made her realize what really matters to her. “You had to make mistakes to know what is right and what is wrong and the consequences, because I’ve paid those consequences three times.”
Since the film tackles issues concerning other women, Kris was asked if she’d confront a mistress once found out.
Without going into details, Kris acknowledged she once did. “Na-headline na ’yan... ginawa ko.”
“Nu’ng nakita ko ang hitsura (ng girl), nakita ko na nag-aksaya ako ng panahon,” she added.
Could be cultural?
Kris believes keeping a mistress is a “cultural” thing. “I’ve done ‘Mano Po’
(kung saan) ako (ang) legal wife pero may number two, may number three and we have reunions together. Alam natin ’yan. Alam natin na may mga taipans na ganyan ang sitwasyon.
May mga religion that accept polygamy. So, ’yung
ano talaga… I think the problem and the fascination here in the Philippines stems from the fact na there’s not an easy way to end a marriage. Sa America, kaya ganyan si Cheena (Crab) magsalita, alam nating lahat ’yan, eh. Lahat ng artista sa States oras na na-tabloid na nagloko, two
weeks after ay hiwalay na, file for divorce.
“Cultural talaga – at iba ang kulturang Pilipino. And I think it will take a very,
very long time for us to achieve what the United States has achieved as far as LGBT equality, gay marriage, hindi ’yun mangyayari sa atin na matagal na matagal
na. If I am not mistaken, I think there are two or three countries left in the world that don’t have divorce,” she explained.
In their place
Should there be etiquette among mistresses? Kris said, “In this movie, yes, only because ’yun ang title lang.” “Siguro, ’yun ’yong... um-obey ng
rules, lumugar ka, alamin mo kung sino ka only because of who are partners here. Kasi sa totoo lang naman, whether you’re E class or A class, nangyayari
na nangangaliwa ka. Some have the influence to support multiple families, or in this case, multiple women. And in some cases, makikita mo na it (exists for) economic (reasons)” she said.
Also in Star Cinema’s “Etiquette for Mistresses” are Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado, Claudine Barretto and Cheena Crab.
Star Cinema’s “Etiquette for Mistresses” is inspired by Jullie Yap-Daza’s best-selling book of the same title. The film marks the much-awaited reunion of the winning tandem of Kris Aquino and director Chito Rono since “Feng Shui.”
“Etiquette for Mistresses” premieres Sept. 29 in Manila and simultaneously in key cities of the Middle East, North America and Europe. It opens in cinemas nationwide the next day, Sept. 30.