IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kris Aquino as she powers through her autoimmune diseases

Kris Aquino, amid her autoimmune diseases, has been living true to her 2018 declaration: “BEING BRAVE is part of my DNA.” 

The seemingly unending medical tests and treatments may have caused the Queen of All Media—as she had admitted—to be disheartened at times, but the mother in her has always prevailed, keeping her vow to stay alive and be stronger for her sons Josh and Bimby. 

Her health battle started back in July 2018, when the actress-TV host suffered from an anaphylactic shock—a widespread and often very serious allergic reaction—during a shoot in Indonesia. Two months later, she was advised to have “more comprehensive” medical tests in Singapore due to her drastic weight loss.

The tests yielded an unfavorable result over a week after—Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, a debilitating disease characterized by itching and hives with or without angioedema (the swelling of the lower layer of skin and tissue), per National Center for Biotechnology Information Journal. 

“It was heartbreaking to see [Bimby] crying inconsolable tears and pleading, ‘Please don’t leave me mama.’ Bimb even offered me his kidney,’” she said. “Ang pera magsipag ako, kikitain ulit. Pero hindi po mabibili and extension sa buhay.”

Aquino returned to Singapore in 2019 due to symptoms and blood test results which were seemingly confirming two more autoimmune disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and thyroiditis. 

Although she still had public appearances, and even love-life updates on the sidelines, Aquino admitted in January 2022 that her health had deteriorated and that her weight dropped to 40 kilograms. She also disclosed her plans to fly to the United States and stay there for over a year for further diagnostic tests, treatments and medical procedures. 

Addressing false reports of her supposed death at the time, Aquino said, “Sorry to disappoint pero buhay at ilalaban pa na mapahaba ang oras ko because kuya Josh and Bimb still need me.”

In March of the same year, Aquino had her first dose of an injectable prescription drug used to treat Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria; underwent a new series of tests including bone marrow biopsy and endoscopy; and was diagnosed with erosive gastritis and gastric ulcer.

The actress-TV host was then confirmed to have another disease, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis or EGPA, which is a condition caused by the inflammation of certain types of cells in blood or tissues.

After flying to the US with her sons in June 2022, Aquino clarified she had three autoimmune conditions before leaving the Philippines, then was diagnosed with a fourth illness when she arrived in Houston, Texas. She, however, opted not to immediately disclose at the time the particular diseases she has. 

In September, Aquino revealed that she would undergo a “safe form” of chemotherapy for her illnesses, but she stressed that she does not have cancer. 

Two months later, Aquino signed up with a hospital’s center for rare illnesses and said that she would undergo 18 months of diagnosis and treatment. Aquino and her children also extended their stay in the US and filed immigration papers to do so. 

“Josh and Bimb—they are my REASONS kung bakit TULOY ANG LABAN, BAWAL SUMUKO,” she stated at the time. “I pray for the blessing to be healthy enough to still be their mama—the one who would cook, travels for fun, goes to Church, and watches movies with them. All in God’s perfect time.”

In February 2023, Aquino had an appointment with a new doctor who gave her hope that she has a “strong chance of getting better” from her autoimmune diseases. She announced as well that her doctors finally found treatments suited for her despite the many limitations caused by her allergies.

Aquino then confirmed in May that she already has five confirmed autoimmune diseases and manifestations of a possible sixth one. It was also around that time when she took her first “baby dose” of methotrexate, a medication that—aside from autoimmune diseases—treats cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Aquino’s blood tests showed improvements after around three months, and the Queen of All Media stressed that while she still has a “long way to go,” she is finally on the “correct path to remission.” Unfortunately, she once again asked for prayers after “abnormalities” were found in her blood panels in November. 

A few days after New Year’s Day, Aquino was victimized again by a death hoax but politician Mark Leviste—her  former boyfriend who seemingly still pursues her—dismissed this, saying he was just with her in California.

Aquino revealed in her most recent health update on Jan. 21 that it is highly likely that she is currently at the initial stage of SLE or lupus. Despite this, the celebrity mom remained firm on her vow to soldier on for her family. 

“We have a merciful and loving God who hears our prayers. Our battle has become more complex but I promised my sons and sisters that I wouldn’t be a wimp,” she underscored.

“Bawal pa ring sumuko. Tuloy ang laban,” she added. “(I will not allow myself to give up. The fight continues.)

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