Catching up with Kris Aquino
The 48-year-old social media queen on her 'TV return' and why she hasn’t joined politics
The 48-year-old social media queen on her 'TV return' and why she hasn’t joined politics
Kris Aquino “was” the Queen of All Media.
Filipinos were used to seeing her on TV, like, all the time. She was a prized talent of ABS-CBN for more than two decades, hosting daily game and talk shows. She appeared in Star Cinema movies, and even released motivational CDs.
But one day it stopped. For whatever reason, Kris moved on to conquer the digital landscape. Now, her fans call her the Queen of Online World and Social Media.
Yet some of them still want to see her back on TV. Asked about it in a recent interview, she simply said: “Ayaw nila (networks) sa akin eh.”
Then again, she is grateful for what she has. Besides, she thinks returning to TV might be “kind of stressful” for her now that she has health concerns that have resulted to weight loss.
Cool and collected
Kris was being interviewed when the magnitude 5.7 earthquake jolted Luzon and parts of Metro Manila.
Her reaction was caught on video which went viral on social media.
While others were panicking (including the press), Kris seemingly remained calm as shown on the video.
Of course, Kris’ first instinct when the lights flickered due to the quake was to check on her sons, Joshua and Bimby. “Umuwi na tayo. I want to go home. My sons,” she said, then asked her staff to check on her kids.
Kris tried to relieve the tension by making a light remark.
“It’s the end of the world na, I’m telling you. Buti na lang binili ko lahat
ng Chanel na gusto ko bilhin. Bwisit, ang laki pa ng tax na binayaran ko!” she said in jest.
Later, Kris complained of getting dizzy. She suspected “vertigo” so she asked for medication.
“Utang na loob, mahihimatay yata ako. Ang pangit nito. At iyon na ang kuwento niyo — ni-rush sa ospital dahil nahilo. Ang chaka!” she said.
No to gov’t position
Many have always believed Kris will follow in the footsteps of her mother and brother, who both became Philippine presidents.
For the nth time, the answer is no, she said. This time too there is strong reason behind it: Kris is unfit to do it because of her health.
In October 2018, Kris was diagnosed with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), which, according to novartis.
co.uk “is a serious, chronic and distressing skin condition that is difficult to diagnose and manage.”
“What I have is not curable.
I have accepted that. It has no
cure. You have to deal with all the symptoms and you can deal with everything that goes with it,” she said. “You cannot control it but it will forever be there.”
“How can you serve the people if you are not sure of your health?
Parang bumili ka lang niyan ng TV or cellphone na may one-year warranty. Eh hindi ko kayo ma-a-assure ng warranty. So nakakahiya ’di ba? So gusto ko munang i-assure kayo na maganda ang kalusugan ko bago ako mag-serve.” Kris also said a “big-spender” like her is not fit to be a public servant.
“Magastos pa rin po ako eh. Kasi hindi ibig sabihin ’pag pinaghirapan po, dapat ka nang gumastos. Mahirap na bansa ang Pilipinas so dapat gagastos ka ng ayon sa lipunan,” she said.
Fave!
Kris organized a press conference in support of her cousin, Bam Aquino’s senatorial bid.
Present at the event is his wife, Timi Aquino, Kris’ favorite “cousinin-law.”
On her close relationship with Timi, she praised her for “giving up her career” in support of his husband’s political ambition.
“They say, judge a man based on the wife he has. And Timi had given a lot for Bam. The fact that she gave up her job… that means this man has got something. This woman – who has a bright future in the corporate world – decided: ‘Ay I can leave this for my husband,”’ Kris said. “Another thing that I like about her is she’s a mother too. Her son is my inaanak.
So I’m doing my best to support them.”