MANILA, Philippines – Once upon a time, Kris Aquino was willing to “give up Kris Aquino” for him and even if he rejected that offer, it seems the “Queen of All Media” is having the last laugh. 

Despite health issues ranging from hypertension and intense allergic reactions, Kris looked her best during the press conference of her new movie I Love You Hater on Monday, June 18 at the Dolphy Theatre in ABS-CBN.

Asked about her slim physique, Kris, who has dozens of endorsements under her belt, credited one of them for maintaining her figure. She then cheekily added: “May pinapatunayan ako. Meron akong gusto makanood nito at magsisi (I want to prove something. I want someone to watch this feel regret.)”

“I endured this because the greatest motivation of any woman, and Julia [Barretto] knows this, is to make those who made you feel that you are not good enough to regret their mistake.”

She then stood up and removed her black blazer, showing off her shoulders in a black spaghetti-strapped top. Her son Bimby, who was in the audience, gave his permission when she asked him.

“Hashtag Mayor, this is what you’re missing,” she said. “Mayor” was, of course, Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, with whom she had an on-and-off relationship years back. Kris had also mentioned Herbert as the last person she both loved and hated. 

“Nasabi ko na kaya ko na i-give up yung pagiging Kris Aquino ko para sa iyo. And yet, kulang pa iyan para sa iyo.” (I told him I was willing to give up being Kris Aquino for you. And yet, it’s still not enough for you.)

She also chided Herbert for not apologizing, pointing out that someone like President Rodrigo Duterte – who seldom says sorry – already apologized to her. Kris, in interviews and in videos on her social media accounts, has made several references to Herbert and their would-be relationship. 

Kris Aquino on the last person she loved and hated: The Mayor. Nasabi ko na kaya kong i-give up ang pagiging Kris Aquino para sayo. #ILYHGrandMediaLaunch | via @alexavillano pic.twitter.com/o3jMJsVmsQ

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) June 18, 2018

Status of their friendship

Kris first confirmed in 2014 that they were dating. She would later say that it didn’t work out and that they instead became friends.

She then said in 2015 that Herbert proposed to her. In May this year, Kris posted pictures of herself and Herbert going on a movie date. (READ: Kris Aquino on Herbert Bautista: ‘I’m his true friend and he is mine’)

Kris said, however, that she was okay about it but it seemed that Herbert wasn’t.

“Sinabi ko, bakit uncomfortable na uncomfortable ka, kahit magkaibigan na lang tayo ngayon? Bakit uncomfortable ka na pinapansin tayo ng tao. So may issue ako about that na, there’s a part that I feel he wasn’t proud of me.”

(I told him: why are you so uncomfortable even if we’re just friends now? Why are you so uncomfortable because people pay attention to us? So it was an issue for me. There’s a part that I feel he wasn’t proud of me)

She said that they are not enemies, and added that she’s grateful for his support when she was struggling. Kris said she asked Herbert himself if he was helping her because he cared or because he felt the need to make-up for his mistakes. His answer as “all of the above.” 

“Nasabi ko na that I’m in an okay place. And siya lang kasi yung nakakapagparamdam pa sa akin na may mali sa akin. So sinabi ko for me not to feel that, I have to not talk to him.“

(I told him that I’m in an okay place. And he’s the only one who can make me feel that there’s still something wrong with me. So I said for me not to feel that, I have to not talk to him.)

“Sabi ko nga, there are just some people na kailangan mo mahalin from a distance na lang. And hindi na ako naniniwala sa somewhere down the road.“

(I said that there are just some people that you needs to love from a distance. And I really don’t believe in somewhere down the road anymore.)

Kris said that while Herbert was in Europe, she told him that his future in politics still has a long way to go. In the same breath, she told him to stop associating himself with her because it might hurt his chances in politics. 

Is closure important for Kris? “You do need it but you can’t force it,” she said. – Rappler.com