Mark Leviste (L) with Kris Aquino | PHOTO: IG / @markleviste
The real score between Kris Aquino and Mark Leviste has been sort of a guessing game. At long last, Mark pours his heart out in our exclusive interview. Thanks to the dashing vice governor for allowing me to share an official update about their much-awaited love story.
While reading Mark’s answers, I felt thrilled for Kris. After everything her heart has been through, love finally rewards the “Queen of All Media” with a better fate.
It was my mom (Inday Badiday) who paved the way for Kris to enter show biz and Kris happens to be the ninang of my son, IC. So even if we drifted apart, I wish Kris well.
The story of Mark and Kris is proof that if we want something badly enough to happen, it will. Pardon the mushiness, but their romance could be summed up by this quote from Shakespeare, “True love cannot be found where it truly does not exist, nor can it be hidden where it truly does.” Ahh…ILOVEiste!
Here’s my chat with Mark:
Please share what you can about the status of your relationship with Kris.
I was in the States to be with Kris for almost a month, because her executive assistant and confidant, Alvin Gagui, went home for a vacation, that’s why I helped Kris, her sons, the nurses and their household in Orange County while Alvin was on leave.
I wanted to focus and enjoy my moments with Kris and the limited time I had with her, and now, I can confidently say that we’re OK. We’re in a “different level” and I can only hope that everything will work out for the better. I can proudly say that “we’re still together, [and] still going strong.”
To my count, we are officially six months going on seven in a relationship this November. However, we’ve been seeing each other since the beginning of the year—Jan. 1, 2023, to be exact—and every month thereafter. So, we’re 10 months and counting.
It’s been a roller-coaster … er, a ferris wheel ride for us (because that’s Kuya Josh’s favorite amusement ride). But seriously and fortunately, our ups and downs haven’t been as rough as a roller-coaster ride. It’s manageable, plus I value the journey just like appreciating the view from a giant ferris wheel.
As Kris said, “We’ve both learned from our mistakes, and with God’s help, we hope to continue building a harmonious and supportive relationship for a lifetime.”
Now more than ever, Kris, the kids and her sisters have become a big part of my life and that of my own family—she’s more than just my girlfriend … Kris is my world.
What made you hold on to the relationship even after Kris said that she wanted to cut off your communication a few months ago?
As far as I’m concerned, you don’t easily give up on a dream, most especially if it’s already a dream come true. She’s precious to me, and I’d do anything to hold on to our relationship. My admiration and interest in Kris is 20 years in the making, or may I say, waiting.
I’ve waited so long for this moment—to fall in love with the person I truly admire, and now that I’ve been given this chance, I will take care of her as if my own life depends on it.
I must have done something right to deserve this—to end up with the girl of my dreams, to be in a relationship with the one I truly love.
When people tell me, “Sana, dati pa (it should have been sooner), I respond, ‘I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.’ Besides, everything happens for a reason, and everyone has his or her own time. It’s our time, and I believe that this is what God wants for us.
There’s no doubt that I’ve always had the biggest crush on Kris, then and now, but what makes our timing extra special is that I get to be part of her journey to healing … I am able to witness a rare kind of Kris Aquino—the one that we hardly see on TV or read about in the papers and on social media.
Habang gumagaling po siya, lalo kong nararamdaman ang aming pangangailangan para sa isa’t-isa, at kapag sumuko ako, para ko na ring binale-wala ang buhay niya. Ito po ang aming tadhana (this is our destiny).
It’s a fairy tale come true, and I can only wish to be “happily ever after” with her.