KRIS Aquino wants to keep mum about Herbert Bautista who guested on her show. www.abs-cbnnews.com
Over the past two weeks, netizens have become unwitting (unwilling?) spectators to the guessing game pertaining to the identity of Kris Aquino’s new suitor.
With cryptic messages posted on her Instagram account, the TV host fanned the flames.
Some speculated that Kris was dating Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga; others claimed it was Bataan Gov. Abet Garcia. The name that sparked the loudest buzz was Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista’s. He was reportedly spotted dropping off Kris at the ABS-CBN compound recently.
Kris uploaded on Instagram a snapshot (which has since been deleted) of her family—including her sisters and President Aquino—with Mayor Herbert. The caption read: “Family Dinner.”
Just when everyone was convinced that “Bistek” (Herbert’s show biz nickname) was her mystery man, Kris started posting on the same social networking site thank-you messages to actor Derek Ramsay. The posts, she told her fans, were “up to your interpretation.”
And before the issue could take new twists and turns, Kris suddenly put an end to the mounting guesswork. In the April 7 episode of her prime-time talk show, “Aquino & Abunda Tonight,” Kris revealed—in what many jested was her personal Sona (state of the nation address)—that the boyfriend was, indeed, the QC mayor.
Work in progress
She read from a written statement, which she said was prepared with the help of Mayor Herbert: “Now there’s somebody in my life who is special…
We’re a work in progress; it’s a joint project that both of us are happily undertaking with maturity, respect and commitment,”
Sure enough, before long, Kris’ declaration—as everything she says and does—was all over entertainment websites, getting as many hits as news on pressing national issues.
From the online rejoinders, the romantic pair, now known as “KrisTek,” is drawing mixed feedback. Many sent well wishes; not a few were skeptical.
From Inquirer.Net:
“Bistek for senator, Tetay (Kris) for QC mayor?” said pinoypower.
“I smell [a] political relationship and I will trim my fingernails if I did not get it right,” swore B3ntong.
“Just a media stunt,” said Klar.
Local blogger Professional Heckler jested on Twitter: “Sources say Kris Aquino finds Herbert Bautista a reliable potential boyfriend. And Herbert finds Kris a reliable potential endorser.”
To be fair, Kris denied last month that she would run for public office in 2016. “It’s not on the table,” she said in “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” But she added that she wasn’t closing her door on politics altogether.
In her revelation, Kris said she hoped to strengthen what she and Mayor Herbert had “by keeping quiet and private.” Of course, a netizen offered unsolicited advice.
kapitanvic1: “Please leave the people alone…[don’t] force-feed them with every detail of what’s happening with [your] love life.”
Well-wishers
“Kilig much ako sa kanila. May chemistry sila,” said Anonymous. “In fernes blooming [s’ya] at mukhang happy talaga…I think HB is the perfect match for her.”
(I shudder in happiness because of them. They have chemistry. In fairness, she is blooming and looks really happy. I think HB (Herbert Bautista) is the perfect match for her.
One fan, Giselle Najera, noted: “They are on the same wavelength.”
Kris’ ex-husband, cager James Yap, has wished the actress happiness in previous TV interviews. “Stay in love. Thank you sa lalaki na nagpapasaya sa kanya,” he said. Their five-year marriage was annulled in 2012. Their son Bimby just turned 7.
Joey Marquez, with whom Kris had an equally controversial relationship, wasn’t spared. In an ambush TV interview, Joey gave an inscrutable statement. “I’m very happy for all of us…for the entire world!” he said, laughing.
Ramsay didn’t think Kris was seeking publicity when she dropped his name earlier. “I don’t feel like I’ve been used,” he told reporters at his recent contract signing with Regal Films.
In her announcement, Kris vowed never to speak again of her relationship with Bistek. “Ito po ang una at huling pagkakataon na pag-uusapan ko si Mayor Herbert,” she said, “sa punto ng buhay namin, whether in my shows, interviews or my personal social media posts.”
That should assure commenter kapitanvic1.
E-mail apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph