Risa Hontiveros (Photo by Enie Reyes)

Akbayan representative and Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Risa Hontiveros admits she and Queen of All Media Kris Aquino are not friends yet, despite the TV commercial that the latter shot to endorse her candidacy.

“It would be presumptuous on my part to say we are close, not even friends. It’s true that we have been together in a few campaign sorties lately but we’ve not had the chance to really strengthen our bond,” says Hontiveros.

She maintains, however, that Kris’ endorsement means a lot and “utang na loob ko sa kanya ‘yon magpakailanman.”

“I need all the help I could get seeing that I’m not even in the Magic 12 at this point. And Kris is such a charming person – namamagnet niya ang lahat. Some people love her, a few don’t, but most are fascinated by her. Kahit ako, nakikinig ako sa opinion niya as a public figure and I look forward to becoming her friend,” Hontiveros says.

Aquino recently coaxed Hontiveros to sing with her during a campaign sortie. They sang Rey Valera’s “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” also the theme song of Aquino’s latest teleserye. Aquino lauded Hontiveros on stage, saying “maganda na ang boses, maganda pa, maganda talaga ang laban!”

No surprise there. Hontiveros was a former theater actress who had performed with the likes of Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, and Raymond and Menchu Lauchengco in the ‘80s.

Later, Hontiveros became a newscaster on “Street Pulse” (PTV Channel 4), “Firing Line” (GMA-7) and “Magandang Umaga Po” (ABS-CBN) with Korina Sanchez. She was named Best Female Newscaster at the KBP Golden Dove Awards in 1994.

The senatoriable revealed that she sometimes gets to catch “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” on the boob tube. “I like how Kris and Kim Chiu portray their roles. May pinanghuhugutan,” she says.

Hontiveros proposes for the government to subsidize the Filipino film industry.

“[And] the subsidy should go directly to filmmakers and artists not only so they can have additional funds to make good movies, but also so they can participate in international film festivals both here and abroad,” she was quoted as saying.