Win some, lose some for returning Kris Aquino

Kris Aquino

After seven months of relative absence from TV, Kris Aquino made an attention-calling comeback as host-interviewer at the recent Go Negosyo summit for micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises which was “carried” by a number of channels.

Aside from doing spot interviews of many businessmen, fledgling entrepreneurs and government officials, Kris was looking forward to the event’s highlight, an interview with President Duterte.

Unfortunately, the key interaction, with all of its political and public affairs reverberations and intimations, failed to take place, due to the President’s reported migraine episode.

Whatever the real reason for the no-show, Kris felt “stood up” and hoped there would be another chance for her to touch base with the unexpectedly sidelined chief executive.

The less subjectively involved viewer might have wondered if Kris wasn’t making too much ado and to-do about the interview that had failed to materialize.

Even if it was an implicit snub, the event was much more significant than just the presidential interview—and actually accomplished a lot, even without its prized “highlight.”

More to the point, a part of its success could be attributed to Kris’ “organizing” participation, because she was able to bring all sorts of diverse personalities together to discuss how to improve and increase both official and NGO support for the country’s emerging entrepreneurs.

It was no mean feat to keep the conversation and interaction going, off the cuff and on the fly, for such a long time.

In the process, the well-connected Kris was able to get some big businessmen to support new and worthy ventures, to the smaller entrepreneurs’ elation.

On the debit side, Kris occasionally made too many references to herself and her activities and proclivities, as is her wont. Particularly unnecessary were her references to her many endorsements of a wide range of products and services.

We’re happy for her abiding popularity and effectivity as a spokesperson for such references and disclosures.

Still, when push comes to shove, we’ll take Kris over some other TV host-interviewers, despite her signature “distractions.”

Her ability to organize and interweave the many sectional and sectoral interactions that took place at the Go Negosyo summit helped make it the relatively focused, inspiring and celebratory event it was.

It made us hope that, when Kris goes back to weekly or daily TV in this new chapter in her professional life, one of her most noteworthy “vehicles” will be a regular show in which she can continue to promote the entrepreneurial spirit to help the poor move up to the middle class—and beyond.

To be sure, Kris may have to host other programs related to show biz and other lighter stuff, because her career needs to be energized and “razzle-dazzled” up to reestablish her fan and viewership base.

But, the weekly “entrepreneurial spirit” show could be just the ticket she needs to effect her sometimes hinted-at transition, from show biz star to key political player on the national scene.