Mark Leviste and Kris Aquino. Image: Instagram/@markleviste
Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste wasted no time in clarifying that he’s “legally single” prior to pursuing a romance with Kris Aquino.
Speaking to showbiz columnist Butch Francisco in a Pikapika Showbiz interview, which was uploaded on its YouTube channel last Monday, Aug. 7, Leviste pointed out that he’s “still single legally,” as he had been when he pursued the Queen of All Media. Leviste said this a month after their split was confirmed.
“[Before entering Kris Aquino’s life], of course, I was single, I’m still single legally. I was not in any relationship. She has shown genuine affection, love, thoughtfulness, and even generosity to my children. Not only my kids love her, but also my family,” he said, although he didn’t disclose any details about his previous relationships.
The Batangas-based politician then revealed that he first met Aquino when he became a contestant of the now-defunct game show “Deal or No Deal,” where he disclosed that he had a huge crush on the latter at the time.
“The first time we met, I was a contestant on ‘Deal or No Deal.’ Sa palabas na ‘yun, nanalo ko ng piso. At sabi ng mga producers, ako lang daw ang naglakas ng loob na humalik sa kanya na [mala-beso-beso] noong tinawag ang pangalan ko,” he said. “Hindi [ko alam] saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob para humalik kay Kris Aquino. Sabi ko hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko dahil crush na crush ko si Kris.”
(The first time we met, I was a contestant on ‘Deal or No Deal.’ I won ₱1 at that time. The producers told me that I was the only one who was brave enough to kiss her cheeks when my name was called. I don’t know where I had the guts to kiss Kris Aquino. I told myself that perhaps, I wasn’t able to control myself because I had a huge crush on Kris.)
During the interview, Leviste also pointed out that he wasn’t romantically involved with the “Sukob” star until New Year of 2023, where he was allowed to visit her in Los Angeles, U.S.
“I visited Kris last January 1 in LA. I texted her days before New Year. I said, ‘I’m in town, can I visit you?’ Lo and behold, she replied and allowed me to go to her place. And the rest, as they say, is history,” he said.
Aquino went public with her romance with a certain “Marc” last May, who was eventually confirmed to be Leviste. They eventually chose to give their relationship a “pause” due to the politician’s “many obligations” to his constituents in Batangas.
Despite their “pause,” Leviste received a ring from the actress-host, as a gesture of their “love and friendship.” EDV