Kris Aquino during a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview. Images: Screengrab from GMA Network
Kris Aquino celebrated her 53rd birthday and Valentine’s Day with a heartbreaking revelation that she has a “very strong chance of having cardiac arrest” anytime, but vowed to fight her autoimmune diseases to the very end.
In an exclusive interview with her friend Boy Abunda, which aired on GMA, Aquino said the next six months will be very crucial for her. In fact, the coming Monday, February 19, (Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the Philippines), she would also be taking a “baby dose” of a new drug that her doctors wanted to introduce to her, but with the side effect of weakening her natural immune system.
“[Nag-manifest din into] a diffuse scleroderma at inaatake nito ang lungs. You can get pulmonary hypertension from that,” she said in clear, matter-of-factly voice.
“Meron na akong maliliit na nodules at tama dahil hirap na hirap na ang right lung. Until now, part of Churg-Strauss is that you have this persistent dry cough at nagkaroon aka ng adult onset of asthma. Right now na nagu-usap tayo, nag-sinusitis na.”
The Churg-Strauss/EGPA has been one of Aquino’s autoimmune disease, and has now developed cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart. One manifestation of this disease’s progression was that even the mere attempt to walk would increase her heart rate. This can be closely related to her father’s side as her grandfather Benigno Aquino Sr., father Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and her brother, former president Benigno Aquino III all dealt with a heart condition.
“The muscles surrounding my heart, magang-maga sila… I could have a stroke at any time,” she said, adding that some of her symptoms could have easily been mended by over-the-counter medicines, except that she was allergic to most pain relievers such as paracetamol.
Genetics also played a part in this, noting that her grandfather on her father’s side had died at age 55 due to stroke.
“The reason bakit kami nakapunta sa Boston dati is my dad had his heart attack at 47, and not many people know but before Noy (former President Benigno Simeon Aquino, now deceased) died, he needed an angioplasty. That was exactly five weeks bago siya mamatay,” she continued.
‘Crucial’ 6 months
The TV host and actress said she “would’ve been okay” with this, but she is dealing with five autoimmune diseases at the moment. She was then asked what she expected to happen in the next six months.
“I’m sorry na ang kapal ng mukha ko but I really need it now. On Monday, papasok ako sa ospital. May susubukan kaming biological gamot, this is a chance to save my heart. Kung hindi ito tumalab, I stand a very strong chance of having cardiac arrest. Pwedeng in my sleep or ginagawa ko, pwedeng tumigil ang pagtibok ng puso ko,” she said.
Aquino, however, noted that this biological medication is challenging for her as it’s not given right away without any steroids.
“On Monday, magbe-baby dose ako. Titignan kung kakayanin ko,” she said. “Kung kakayanin ako, bibigyan ako ng pangalawang dose. In total, I would need four doses of this medication. Hindi predicatable,” she said.
“I hate to say it, but I’ve always been very upfront and honest. Hinarap ko na ‘to, especially na birthday ko, pahiram na lang ‘to ng Diyos. Binigyan na ako ng bonus. Whatever days are left, it’s a blessing. But I really want to stay alive,” she continued.
Kris Aquino with her sons Josh and Bimby. Image: Instagram/@krisaquino
The Queen of all Media, however, remained firm about wanting to stay alive for her kids Josh and Bimby. “Kailangan pa nila ako. But on the flip side, after Monday, wala na akong immunity.”
“Pwede na akong dapuan ng kahit anong sakit and wala nang immunity. I want to take this opportunity na magpasalamat sa’yo. Nangako ka sa’kin na kung ano mang mangyari, meron akong dalawang kaibigan na lilipad dito para samahan ang two boys,” she said.
Aquino also disclosed that Abunda had promised her that he would drop everything — including his own talk show — to fly off to California to be with her when something happens.
“You also promised me na kung may mabalitaan ka, sasakay ka sa eroplano to be with me and I am entrusting Bimb with you. The two will actually be going home in two weeks… Naaawa ako sa dalawang bata. Makukulong na ako sa bahay,” she said.
‘Stage mother’
During the interview, Aquino asserted that she refuses to die because she’s looking forward to the “next chapter” of her life and is determined to defeat her many diseases.
“Buhay ako ngayon at tiwala ako sa dasal. Kakayanin [ko] pa ‘to. Sabi ko sa Ate ko, if something happens to me, it will show people that prayers [work],” she said. “Ito ang pangako ko, hindi ko kayo bibiguin. Wala sa pananaw ko sa buhay na pwedeng sumuko. Kailangang lumaban.”
Aquino then expressed how much she loves her sisters, friends, and loved ones who have been “true” to her despite what she’s going through.
“Would you believe my sister? Viel said, ‘I hope may nag-aayos sa’yo. I hope bihis kang okay dahil kaawaan ka ng mga tao at ayokong matakot sila na ililibing ka na.’ No, I refuse to die,” she said. “Talagang pipilitin ko because my next chapter is to become a stage mother… I’m 53 now but I still want to be here when I’m 63.”