Kris Aquino leaves ABS-CBN, joins producer of ‘Eat Bulaga’

Kris Aquino. FILE PHOTO

The guessing game is over.

After keeping her silence for months, TV host-actress Kris Aquino has finally confirmed that she is leaving ABS-CBN.

READ: Kris sa pagbabalik sa ABS-CBN: Ayokong magsalita! Surprise!

In a series of Instagram posts early Monday, Aquino explained her reason for her departure from her home network for 20 years.

Part 1: I want to tell you our truth & I pray you’ll understand… 20 years ago, I went back to ABS CBN after a year w/ GMA (Star Talk & a Viva produced afternoon talk show). It started w/ Today w/ Kris Aquino & ended w/ Kris Tv. We had a memorable, excellent run. ABS saw me through my worst & my best. I had the chance to be part of career defining shows like TWKA, The Buzz, Game KNB, Deal or No Deal, PGT etc & had iconic movies like Feng Shui & Sukob. We were set to renew our contract February 2016, it was a generous, less demanding agreement but at that time there was a threat to my life we needed to take seriously, I had to regain my health, and I needed time for my family & me. We didn’t sign then, I went to Hawaii, came back to campaign, then left again. Our agreement was we’d talk when I got back. That is the risk of taking time for yourself- when you come back there’s no guarantee that a space will be held for you. We spoke in July but there was no definite show & no assured time frame of my return on air. I perfectly understood- as much as I wanted to believe I was a pillar of the network, everybody is dispensable. And I say that with no bitterness- just HONESTY. So to all of you saying please don’t leave- it wasn’t a choice that was just mine to make. I take my share of the responsibility. And I say that w/ so much gratitude in my heart. ❤️

A photo posted by 🇵🇭 Kris Aquino (@kriscaquino) on Sep 11, 2016 at 9:27am PDT

“We were set to renew our contract February 2016, it was a generous, less demanding agreement but at that time there was a threat to my life we needed to take seriously, I had to regain my health, and I needed time for my family (and) me,” Aquino’s post read.

Former President Benigno Aquino III disclosed in April that terrorist group Abu Sayyaf plotted to kidnap his sister Kris and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. This was confirmed by the TV host.

READ: Kris: Abu kidnap plot reason for not renewing ABS-CBN contract

“We didn’t sign then, I went to Hawaii, came back to campaign, then left again. Our agreement was we’d talk when I got back. That is the risk of taking time for yourself- when you come back there’s no guarantee that a space will be held for you. We spoke in July but there was no definite show (and) no assured time frame of my return on air. I perfectly understood- as much as I wanted to believe I was a pillar of the network, everybody is dispensable. And I say that with no bitterness- just HONESTY,” she continued.

“So to all of you saying please don’t leave- it wasn’t a choice that was just mine to make. I take my share of the responsibility. And I say that w/ so much gratitude in my heart.”

Prior to leaving ABS-CBN, Aquino hosted shows like “KrisTV,” “Today with Kris Aquino,” “The Buzz,” and “Game KNB?”. She also starred in the movies “Feng Shui” and “Sukob”, which she described as “iconic.”

Without announcing that she is jumping ship to GMA, Aquino said that she is now working with Tony Tuviera of TAPE and APT entertainment, producer of the TV show “Eat Bulaga,” which airs on ABS-CBN’s chief rival network.

SCREENGRAB FROM KRIS AQUINO’S INSTAGRAM PAGE

Tuviera also handles the careers of prized GMA talents Marian Rivera and Maine Mendoza.

She said it was actually her good friend, TV host Boy Abunda, who reached out to Tuviera on her behalf.

READ: Kris tutuparin ang pangarap maging Oprah Winfrey sa GMA 7

“Our plan was initially just a digital initiative- I know you miss my #foodtrips (and) my #cooking #recipes #roadtrips(and) #travel… But maybe my guardian angel in heaven (could it have been you, Mom?) was working overtime (and) what was an attempt at something new (and) experimental, evolved into a vision & a presentation that felt perfect for who I am now & for our TV collaboration,” she said in a separate Instagram post.

The collaboration, she said, was 30 years in the making.

“Mr. T actually remembered coming to our home in Times Street in 1986 to meet my Mom to produce a show for me when I was 15 years old. 30 years after- dumating na ang TAMANG PANAHON (the right time has come).”

Despite her exit from ABS-CBN, Aquino said there is not bad blood between her and her former network.

SCREENGRAB FROM KRIS AQUINO’S INSTAGRAM PAGE

“This is the 1st (and) last I shall say about this chapter of my life. You deserved the true story (and) I gave you my truth, so that we may all move forward… So here’s a shoutout of THANK YOU to the Kapamilya Network ABS-CBN for all that was, and here’s a shoutout of THANK YOU to my new APT family for all that will be. And most of all my THANK YOU to all of you for allowing me to just be me,” she said in another Instagram post.

Aquino’s departure from ABS-CBN came after the return of Sharon Cuneta and Aga Muhlach to the network. IDL