Actress Kris Aquino, whose marriage to basketball star James Yap was annulled in 2012, said she was in favor of divorce in the Philippines.
“I’m a devout Catholic, but I disagree with the Church’s point of view. I’ve been through an annulment and I know how painful it is. I prefer the concept of ‘irreconcilable differences’ (which provides possible grounds for divorce),” said Kris in an interview for her latest film project, “Etiquette for Mistresses,” which will be screened in theaters starting Sept. 30.
“Annulment is expensive, difficult and painful because you have to recall all the painful issues that led to your breakup,” she pointed out. “In the end, it’s the children who pay for it—all the dirty laundry is on the court papers for them to see.”
Kris has two sons—Bimby, 8 (with James), and Josh, 20 (with actor Phillip Salvador).
At the recent press conference for the Chito Roño film, Kris was asked about sensitive issues in connection with her past relationships.
“It’s not a secret. I got into relationships with two men whose marriages weren’t annulled,” she admitted.
“What I went through wasn’t easy. I heard that word kabit so often because, at that time, I hadn’t ironed out my relationship problems.”
Aside from Salvador, Kris also had a relationship with actor and former Parañaque City mayor Joey Marquez. She was recently linked to Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.
“I also experienced being cheated on by my [now estranged] husband so I’ve looked at love from both sides. Honestly, I prefer a man whom I don’t have to share with anyone. Sometimes, you have to make mistakes for you to [learn]. I’ve paid for those consequences three times,” she told the Inquirer.
Despite her many heartbreaks, Kris still believes in the institution of marriage.
“I pray for that (marriage) for myself. It’s just that I’ve learned that you have to love yourself first before you are able to completely love another person.”
For Kris, “marriage should be forever. My parents had their forever, and my three elder sisters have theirs.”
Kris is the youngest daughter of the late senator Benigno S. Aquino Sr. and late president Corazon C. Aquino.
Kris acknowledged that marriage “isn’t all about being happy. I’ve witnessed how my mom and dad went through hell but they still stuck with each other. I think it’s about respect, commitment and love,” she said.
How does one do it?
“By being a good provider; by being fair, supportive and having fidelity,” Kris answered. “You should be best friends with your husband. I see that in my sisters.”
In “Etiquette for Mistresses,” Kris plays Georgia, mentor to Ina, Kim Chiu’s character. Kris said of their roles: “Ina is the girlfriend of someone (Zoren Legazpi) who is married to a senator (Aiko Melendez) running for president. Georgia’s partner is one of their political backers.”
Economic reasons
She revealed what she learned from making the movie: “Men, whether from A Class or E Class, experience the same thing (attraction to other women). But those with the capacity to do it (cheat on wives) are those who are able to pull it off. In the cases of women who get into such relationships, the reason is often economic.”
“Etiquette for Mistresses” also features Iza Calzado, Claudine Barretto and Cheena Crab. It is based on the 1993 book written by journalist Jullie Yap-Daza.
(mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)