Kim Chiu reveals Mark Leviste was behind her reunion with Kris Aquino in California

(From left) Mark Leviste, Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu. Images: Instagram/@markleviste, Instagram/@krisaquino

Kim Chiu admitted that she was emotional after meeting up with Kris Aquino in California, while noting that it was Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste who made their reunion possible.

The Queen of all Media revealed that Chiu, whom she lovingly refers to as her “panganay,” met up with her in California earlier this month, saying she refers to the “It’s Showtime” host as her own daughter.

“Sobra po akong nasiyahan. Noong una, nahihiya ako kasi baka [nagpapa-treatment] siya at bawal [siyang] puntahan. Ayokong kulitin siya kasi kapag nagtext ako na pupuntahan ko siya, gagawa siya ng paraan [para makita ako],” she told reporters on the sidelines of “Linlang’s” thanksgiving media conference.

(It made me very happy. At first, I was shy to visit her because she might be busy with treatments and she’s not allowed to accept visitors. I don’t want to bother her because once I inform her that I’m going to see her, she’s going to do everything to make it possible.)

The actress then shared that she initially just wanted to know how Aquino was doing, but it was Leviste who “found a way” to make their meetup happen. “Kinamustahan ko muna siya kay Sir Mark at siya ang gumawa ng paraan na pumunta [ako]. Naging smooth ‘yung pagkikita namin at may kwarto na ako sa bahay nila.”

“Naiyak ako, as in sobra. Pero ayaw ni Ate na maiyak ka. Parang sa tagal ng [di namin] pagkikita, ang dami naming napagkwentuhan,” she continued. “Inabot na kami nang oras na kailangan niyang umalis kasi magpapa-checkup na siya.”

(I asked Sir Mark how she was doing, and he found a way for us to meet. Our meetup was smooth, and I even had my own room in her place. I cried, as in a lot. But Ate Kris doesn’t want me to cry. Since we haven’t seen each other in a while, we talked until it was time for her to have her checkup.)

During the interview, Chiu also confessed that she’s unsure when Aquino will return home to the Philippines as her medical treatments are continuing, although she noted that Aquino was doing “better than before.”

“Ate is doing well na ngayon (now). Not super well, but better than before. Pero marami pa siyang treatment na kailangan harapin. Masaya ako na nakita ko siya, nakayakap ko siya (But she has to undergo a lot of treatments. I’m happy that I saw her and got to hug her),” she added.

Aside from her reunion with Chiu, Aquino also revealed that she and Leviste “mended [their] differences” in California, saying that it was her son Bimby who made them realize that things needed to be repaired to “strengthen their commitment.”