Of all the interviews we have had with Kris Aquino, this one, by far, managed to strike us in a more personal, deeper level.
There is a specified dilemma in her life once again. Although not as serious or as huge as the others Kris had faced in her public life, this one got to us because it was about faith. On a wider scale, it could even mean a future that Kris could look forward to, had it not been for conflicting dogmas among people who have become great influences in her life.
Hearing Kris talk about it at length will make one realize that there is simply no competition between these people as far as she is concerned. Understandably, she prioritizes one over the other.
In a way there is comfort to that statement even so late in the game of Kris’s life. But what was disconcerting to realize was that somewhere there, faith has been reduced to a limited perspective — a basic human frailty. Somewhere there, there were people who were attempting to put God in a box by virtuously pursuing each one’s religious convictions, perhaps believing that that is the only way to live this life for God.
But let it be said, once and for all, it is never our religious affiliation that will determine our place in eternity. Faith in Jesus Christ is. Faith that connotes only one thing — obedience to Christ and living a life reflective of this faith in Him. Faith that opens our eyes to respecting spiritual convictions around us, regardless of religion.
Kris probably knows this. She promised to ponder on these words when we reached out and sent it to her. And we know that she is just taking things in stride, this time. Her lovelife is still as exciting, judging from her innuendos, but she says she is still choosing at this point. "Choosing wisely," was how she puts it.
Kris was presiding the press conference announcing her latest endorsement, Sansan Cosmetics by HBC, when we had this chance to sit with her after the usual theater-style press conference. Dressed in a printed halter dress, Kris was her usual gregarious self, engaging everyone with her anecdotes and one-liners, shocking all with her no-holds barred pronouncements about certain issues and personalities who figure prominently in her life at this point in time.
Following is a transcription of the more interesting part of the brief conversation we had with her, along with a handful of entertainment journalists Wednesday afternoon at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.
Read on and find out what exactly and who we were referring to in the above information.
Q: How is your lovelife?
A: I’m still choosing. Choosing wisely.
Q: There seems to be a lot to choose from this time?
A: One I met during the shoot of a commercial, not for Sansan...
Q: So, you’re going out with this guy? Who is he?
A: No, we’re not going out. He is Derek Ramsey, a very nice guy. But he is my crush. I believe that we shouldn’t stop having crushes.
Q: How did you come to like him?
A: I was really touched when he stayed during the shoot of my commercial. That part, ako na lang ang nandon, three hours straight yun at sobrang init talaga. Ang init-init. Hindi biro. I was inside a Ferrari, all leather, you can just imagine the heat, and we can’t even turn on the air conditioner. He stayed and even held that sunvisor thing to shield me from the sun. I thought that was really nice of him. He didn’t have to, but he stayed. Gentleman siya.
Q: Did you exchange numbers after?
A: Yes. But of course, when we were exchanging numbers, I was thinking hindi naman tatawag yan. But so far, he’s been constantly texting. I was really thrilled when he texted me from Louvre, Paris because he knows I am such a big fan of the book Da Vinci Code which he also read, dun kasi ang setting nung book. R30 din per text yun di ba. So I thought that was sweet. I was telling myself, maybe, we were meant to be. (laughs)
Q: What impressed you the most about him?
A: He graduated from Boston University with two majors. Impressive di ba? Engineering and Business Management. His father is British but I am so impressed, ang galing galing niya mag-Tagalog.
Q: What if he starts courting you?
A: Mukhang hindi naman ganoon. For the record, hindi naman sure kung gusto niya ako.
Q: How are you and James Yap of Purefoods?
A: He’s a good friend. My mom likes him. My sister likes him, because all of them in my family are such basketball freaks. So they know him talaga because of watching basketball. We became friends after Dondon (Monteverde) introduced him to me. We had dinner and since then, he’s become a good friend. He comes to the house and plays with Josh. Josh likes him. My mom and my sister like him, too.
Q: How are you and Rommel Adducul of Ginebra?
A: We’re not exactly talking right now. My fault. But before coming here, I talked to him and I asked what shall I say that would be comfortable for him. But he said bahala na ako, after all he, too, had been interviewed already.
Q: What did you have in conflict with him for?
A: It’s a long story. But it is really because I watched James’s game in PBA. I promised James kasi that I would really go and watch him in the next game, after he wins player of the game. He won, so I went to fulfill a promise to James. The worse part is that I failed to answer Rommel’s calls, eight missed calls, after the game. My phone was inside my room kasi. And I got back to him the following day pa.
Q: Rommel is the one among them who is clearer about his intentions to you?
A: Not really. But we’ve been going out. He is such a wonderful person. Very kind. In fact, it was because of him that I have become more patient, and he is the one who influenced me to read the Bible every day, which I do every night. But the conflict stems from our faith. I am devout Catholic and he belongs to Victory Fellowship Church, like Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales and many others. And he is very clear about wanting to marry another Born Again Christian like himself. I have absolutely nothing against Christians. Rommel has been with Victory for four years now and diyan siya natuto. Diyan siya mas naging mabuting tao. I respect that. Kaya lang, we have some conflicting views about practicing our respective religions.
Q: Which is?
A: I have been a Catholic all my life, and I have been a Marian devotee talaga since I was small. I go to Baclaran every Tuesday night. I have done that all my life. It’s not that I worship Mama Mary. I worship God, Jesus. I just pray for the intercession of Mama Mary. And my Mom, has made it very clear to me, she told me, ‘Kris I have forgiven you in everything that you have done wrong. But if you change religions, that I cannot forgive.’ That’s what she told me.
Q: Which leaves you to do...
A: Even though how late in my life I have realized it, my Mom is really my priority now. She is 72, how many more years does she have? Kahit medyo late na sa buhay ko, siya talaga ang priority ko ngayon. I can’t change religions.
Q: What would you consider your greatest dilemma right now?
A: Our conflicting faith. Kasi sa Victory, they prohibit praying the Rosary there, and praying to Mama Mary. They’re strict. Siguro if he has been attending CCF, Christ’s Commission Fellowship, the church where my cousin Rina attends, baka siguro puwede pa. Kasi they are more lenient there, they don’t really prohibit praying the rosary. One thing that I noted is that Christian churches are very effective because they have these small groups and disciplers talaga that you can really talk to and bring your problems to. But let’s face it, few lang of the Catholic priests can be approached like that. I am just lucky that I really have priest friends who I can go to anytime I want to discusss my problems. Sana ganon din sa atin.
Q: Who among them is Joshua’s favorite?
A: Maybe Joshua knows that James is really just a friend. He probably doesn’t feel threatened with him. He plays with James and asks him to come back when he visits. Pero pag si Rommel, pinapauwi niya.
Q: Has Joshua been spending time with his father, now that he’s here?
A: He’s been with them twice lang. But he said he didn’t want to go back to them. Well, I tried to contact them during Easter, maybe they wanted to bring Joshua Easter egg-hunting or something, but no reply e.
Q: Do you feel the need for him as far as Joshua is concerned?
A: Actually, hindi masyado. Kasi siguro ang dami ko talagang help and support from my family and friends. My mom and my sister are always there for Joshua. My mom and Josh spend time together three times a week. She reads to Joshua at pinagtitiyagaan niya talaga ang anak ko. She goes to Joshua’s functions when I can’t make it, if she can’t my sister does. When all of us can’t, Sweet goes. Kaya nga sobrang thankful ko sa kanilang lahat. I’m just so blessed, talaga.
