Mark Leviste and Kris Aquino. Image: Instagram/@markleviste
Kris Aquino revealed that she had asked Mark Leviste, who recently flew home to the Philippines, for a “pause” in their relationship, noting how a long-distance relationship would be hard for them to maintain given her current condition.
The Queen of All Media made their split public through a “long-overdue gratitude post” dedicated to the Batangas vice governor, as seen on her Instagram page on Monday, July 10.
“[Mark Leviste] is leaving to go home to fulfill his obligations to his Batangas constituents. Nobody I’ve ever been in a relationship with has ever given me as much love [and] encouragement,” she wrote. “He wasn’t only my boyfriend, he became my best friend and confidante, talagang maaasahan (truly reliable). The usage of WAS is correct.”
Aquino disclosed that her medical condition has gotten “progressively worse,” and that she has been suffering from physical manifestations–including swollen knees, excruciating pain on her entire left leg, swelling in her lower back and purplish blue toenails–which cause her to use a wheelchair when taking long walks.
“I asked Marc for a pause because with my condition the way it is now, I’m self aware enough to know that a long distance relationship will be next to impossible for us to maintain,” she said.
“For the Filipinos working all over the world, I know I’m blessed to have kuya Josh [and] Bimb with me—but most moms reading this will agree, we don’t want our kids to suffer from anxiety about our health, especially kung solo parent ka like me,” she added, referring to her sons.
Aquino then addressed Leviste’s children and thanked them for being “so warm, polite, appreciative and so easy to get along.” The former actress also expressed her gratitude to Leviste and stressed how she does not want to be an “obstacle” in his career as a public servant.
“Thank you Marc for being here for me especially when my 2 ‘giants’ went home BUT our reality is that there’s a Pacific Ocean that divides us, a 15-hour time difference, and a 13-hour flight,” she said. “This isn’t just a line, you will always have a place in my heart.”
“We may not have had our ‘happily ever after’ but being sick has really taught me to look at the glass half full,” Aquino continued. “Thank you for giving me the chance to again experience the magic of Once Upon a Time.”
Leviste, in response, shared the same photo Aquino posted but in black-and-white while adding the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud; it does not dishonor others,” the verse reads. “It is not self-seeking; It is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
Image: Instagram/@markleviste
Aquino, who is currently in California for medical treatments for her autoimmune diseases, made public her relationship with a certain “Marc” last May 18. Days after this, Leviste confirmed that he was the “Marc” Aquino was referring to. /ra