(From left) Michael Leyva, Bimby Aquino, Kris Aquino, and Josh Aquino. Images: Instagram/@michaelleyva_, @krisaquino
James “Bimby” Aquino-Yap considers Michael Leyva as a father figure, with the fashion designer willing to support him in his homeschooling and the medical treatments of Kris Aquino.
Aquino’s close friend Dindo Balares shared a glimpse of the close relationship between Bimby and Leyva on his Instagram page on Sunday, October 27, while recalling a recent conversation with the Queen of all Media.
“Kris and I talked about a soft copy of a birthday card that Bimb gave Michael Leyva. It was the birthday of the fashion industry’s wonder boy last October 2022, and he had been receiving praises for his creations,” said Balares.
“This was Bimb’s birthday card to Michael Leyva. I felt like crying. In the card, Bimb called Michael as ‘Dad,'” he further said.
Balares shared how Leyva had long supported Aquino, Bimby, and Joshua Aquino in many ways, saying the fashion designer didn’t mind being one of their financial pillars on multiple occasions.
“Michael Leyva’s support to Mama Kris has been magical. The medical treatments are a burden to them financially. Bimb is aware that Michael is willing to spend a lot of money for their family, as well as his home schooling. Kris said, ‘He didn’t have to.’ Michael replied, ‘Kuya Josh and Bimb are his sons.’ And he’s really been in every sense of the word,” said Balares.
The writer-editor then clarified that Leyva’s money came from his own pocket, which he earned from designing outfits for various occasions, particularly weddings which follows an average range of P3 million.
“Not many people know how to look back when they’re successful. According to Kris, she opened the door for him. Michael Leyva is not Michael Leyva without her,” Balares said.
Aquino and Leyva’s close friendship go way back, as the latter served as the fashion designer for the actress-host’s gown at the final State of the Nation Address of the late Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, and her red-carpet ensemble in the red carpet premiere of the 2018 “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Aside from Aquino, among the biggest celebrities whom Leyva worked with are Heart Evangelista, Regine Velasquez, Andrea Brillantes, Vice Ganda, Pia Wurtzbach, and Anne Curtis.
The fashion designer also created dresses for First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former vice president Leni Robredo, as well as other politicians, and politicians’ wives.
Bimby is Aquino’s son with basketball player James Yap, where the latter revealed earlier this month that he hasn’t seen his son in 10 years.