Kris confirms leaving ABS-CBN
Kris Aquino finally broke her silence. After weeks of speculation, the TV host-actress confirmed she was leaving ABSCBN.
The former Kapamilya heavyweight posted a series of Instagram posts yesterday morning, revealing her plans and explaining why she came up with the decision.
Kris, in her first post, thanked the TV network for being her home for 20 years. She hosted her own shows in ABS-CBN since 1996, starting with “Today with Kris Aquino.” She also became one of the original hosts of several entertainment shows on ABS-CBN, including “The Buzz,” which earned her the moniker Queen of all Media.
Aside from the usual talk show, she also became a host to several game shows, such as “Pilipinas Game KNB,” “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” and “Wheel of Fortune.” She also starred in hit horror films “Feng Shui” and “Sukob” under Star Cinema.
After expressing her gratitude, Kris went on to explain her recent showbiz hiatus and made it clear that she knew the possibility of not having a guaranteed return slot when she took a break from her career.
“We were set to renew our contract February 2016, it was a generous, less demanding agreement but at that time there was a threat to my life we needed to take seriously, I had to regain my health, and I needed time for my family and me,” wrote Kris, referencing the kidnap plot targeting her and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf that his brother, the former president Benigno Aquino III disclosed in April.
“We didn’t sign then, I went to Hawaii, came back to campaign, then left again. Our agreement was we’d talk when I got back. That is the risk of taking time for yourself—when you come back there’s no guarantee that a space will be held for you,” she continued.
“We spoke in July but there was no definite show and no assured time frame of my return on air. I perfectly understood—as much as I wanted to believe I was a pillar of the network, everybody is dispensable. And I say that with no bitterness – just honesty,” she continued.
“So to all of you saying please don’t leave – it wasn’t a choice that was just mine to make. I take my share of the responsibility. And I say that with so much gratitude in my heart.”
In the second Instagram post, Kris did not confirm whether she is moving to GMA, ABSCBN’s rival network, but mentioned that her manager Boy Abunda talked to APT’s Tony Tuviera. APT, a subsidiary of TAPE Inc., is the producer of “Eat Bulaga!” and “Sunday Pinasaya.”
Kris revealed it was Boy Abunda who reached out to Tuviera (who handles the career of GMA’s prized stars Marian Rivera and Maine Mendoza) on her behalf.
“Our plan was initially just a digital initiative. I know you miss my #foodtrips and my #cooking #recipes #roadtrips and #travel. But maybe my guardian angel in heaven (could it have been you, Mom?) was working overtime and what was an attempt at something new and experimental, evolved into a vision and a presentation that felt perfect for who I am now and for our TV collaboration,” she added.
“Mr. T actually remembered coming to our home in Times Street in 1986 to meet my mom to produce a show for me when I was 15 years old. 30 years after – dumating na ang tamang panahon.”
Kris ended her series of posts by sharing that she and her sons Joshua and Bimby will go on another vacation. Despite it all, Kris said there is no bad blood between her and her former home station.
“This is the first and last I shall say about this chapter of my life. You deserved the true story and I gave you my truth, so that we may all move forward. So here’s a shout-out of thank you to the Kapamilya Network, ABS-CBN, for all that was, and here’s a shout-out of thank you to my new APT family for all that will be. And most of all my thank you to all of you for allowing me to just be me.”
In a press statement released yesterday, ABS-CBN said it respects Kris’ decision to leave the network.
“We thank Kris for the many years that she has been a Kapamilya bringing joy, hope and inspiration to our viewers worldwide. She will always be a Kapamilya and we wish her well in her new journey,” said Kane Errol Choa, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications. —