One month before he turns four (on April 19, an Arian), James “Bimby” Aquino Yap treated children from Bahay Maria, the orphanage based in Bel-Air, Makati City, to a lunch of White King Fiesta Spaghetti (and more!) last Thursday, March 17, at the Forbes Park residence of the Concepcions, the family that owns Republic Flour Mill (RFM) Corporation, maker of the brand and other food products. Watch full video
Bimby and his mom, Kris Aquino, are the endorsers of Fiesta Spaghetti (yummy!).
The kiddie party was held under a yellow tent at the sprawling garden which was decorated with prominently yellow banderitas and yellow balloons. Aquino Yellow? Probably. Or it could just be coincidence because the Fiesta Spaghetti comes in yellow packages.
The orphans have long been supported by the Concepcions and are now the regular beneficiaries of the Fiesta family. Each of them got a gift from Bimby.
The affair started at 12:30 p.m., more than an hour behind schedule, because Bimby had to rush home (at a nearby condo unit) from school to change his uniform with a, yes, yellow Lacoste T-shirt and dark denims.
Funfare did an exclusive one-on-two with mother and son at a cozy corner before they proceeded to the party outside. The free-wheeling interview turned up a lot of surprises, mostly from Bimby. It went this way, uncensored:
What’s Kris’ birthday wish for Bimby?
Kris: He’s doing so well in school; he’s so well-adjusted sa life niya, so I just wish him to be good.
And her birthday gift for Bimby?
Kris: We won’t be here. On his birthday, we will be on a cruise ship in Mexico, together with Josh and the kids’ two yayas. JC Buendia will also be with us. Dapat si Sweet (John Lapus) kasama kaya lang may shooting siya sa (Regal Films’) Temptation Island (remake of the Joey Gosiengfiao camp movie).
What gift is Bimby expecting from his papa?
Bimby: Celfone.
Celfone lang?
Kris: No, Bimby. ‘Yung BlackBerry bigay ko sa Papa mo noong birthday niya (last Feb. 15).
So what is Papa James giving Bimby?
Bimby: Nothing!
Kris (Laughing): Tito Ricky, don’t ask him na kasi ang mga bata hindi nagsisinungaling. O, baka gusto mo siya tanungin kung sino ang girlfriend ng papa niya.
I asked Bimby who his papa’s girlfriend is.
Bimby: Isabel. (James has been denying that he and Isabel Oli are an “item,’ insisting that they are “just friends,” and that they click because they are both Bisaya. — RFL)
Kris: Lagot! O, Bimby, don’t answer na.
Has Bimby met Isabel?
Bimby: Hindi pa.
Kris: Do you want to meet her?
Bimby: No!
Kris: Tama na, tama na!
Does Kris still feel jealous when James is being linked to this and that girl?
Kris: No more na, kasi James and I are okay na naman. Hindi na kami nag-aaway. Ganito na lang, whoever he ends up with, my main concern is when James introduces whoever his girl is, magkaroon ng magandang relationship ang girl at si Bimby. Whether the girl likes it or not, Bimby is part of the package, di ba? Ako, wala na akong pakialam kay James kung sino man ang mamahalin niya.
I told Kris that I was surprised that she had lasted for almost a year without a man in her life.
Kris: Kasi, I’m not yet prepared, my family is not prepared and…I will ask Bimby. (Turning to Bimby) Can Mama have a boyfriend?
Bimby (Emphatically): No!
I told Bimby that if his papa had a girlfriend, he would have two mamas.
Kris: Do you want another mama?
“Bimby (Even more emphatically): No! I want only one mama, Kris Aquino.
Kris: O, di ba? (To Bimby) What’s your name?
Bimby: Bimby Yap.
Kris: But in school, what do they call you?
Bimby: James.
I asked Kris if not having a boyfriend means that she’s celibate.
Kris: Yes, of course! (Then she reminded me, “Tito Ricky, galangin mo naman ako. Itatanong mo ‘yan in front of a three-year-old?” Sorry po! So I changed the topic.)
Aside from Bimby’s good grades, what else is Kris proud of him of?
Kris: He’s very polite. He always says “please” and “thank you, you’re welcome.” Mga ganoon. You know, tomorrow he’s going through a dental procedure kaya kailangan siyang patulugin. (To Bimby) Who’s going with you tomorrow, mama or papa?
Bimby: Mama.
Kris: Why is mama the one doing this?
Bimby: Because she’s my love, she’s my life.
Kris: O, ipapaalaala ko ‘yan sa kanya when he’s 16 years old na, kapag may girlfriend na siya — that ako ang kanyang love, ang kanyang life! And Bimby is my defender. The other night, James and I had a little argument about the dental procedure that Bimby was having at feeling ko sinisigawan ako ni James. Sabi ni James, “I’m not shouting at you.” Nabigla lang daw siya. You know what Bimby did?
What did Bimby do?
Kris: Bimby said, “Papa, don’t hurt my mama. Huwag na kayo away nang away.” Bimby was defending me.
I asked Kris what she would do if and when she had a chance encounter with Isabel. What would she tell or ask Isabel?
Kris: You know, Tito Ricky, I made a promise to James last week that I wouldn’t talk about our private life.
Bimby (Butting in): I don’t like her!
Kris (Laughing): See, Bimby is very much like me. Kris na Kris ang dating niya! (Meaning, hmmmmm, no-holds-barred! — RFL)
I asked Bimby about the men being linked to his Mama Kris, including Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, Diether Ocampo and Ted Failon.
First, Junjun Binay.
Bimby: He’s not Mama’s boyfriend.
Diether Ocampo.
Bimby (Turning a bit mad): No more na!
Kris: You know, Mayor Binay is just my good friend talaga. Sinabi ng Ate Ballsy ko sa akin na mas maganda ang friends for life kaysa sa romantic relationship. And I feel that Mayor Junjun will be my friend for the rest of my life. Si Diet naman is also a friend. He’s comfortable to work with. Si Ted din is also a good friend. At this point, after James I’m not ready to move on. I am prioritizing my kids. Josh is graduating from MI and all of us will be part of that ceremony, including Kuya Noy (Pres. Noynoy Aquino). I appreciate the effort of my siblings to support me in rearing my children.
I asked Kris what else did she give James on his birthday (aside from the BlackBerry).
Kris: Two tickets to Bruno Mars’ concert (On April 9 at the Araneta Coliseum, which Kris is producing with friends Boy Abunda and Marvin Agustin. — RFL). Bahala na siya kung sino ang isasama niya.
I asked Bimby what he wanted to be when he grew up.
Bimby: Michael Jackson!
Not a basketball player like his papa?
Bimby: No.
Kris: He wants to be a singer and a dancer. (To Bimby) Do you like basketball?
Bimby: No.
Kris: What do you like?
Bimby: To be a fighter!
Kris: Kasi sinabi niya noon sa papa niya, “I want to be an ultimate fighter.”
After the interview, mother and son swapped hugs and kisses.
Kris had the last say.
“O, di ba mas magandang kasama si Bimby dahil masarap siyang interview-hin?”
Yes, actually!
(Note: For more on Kris Aquino and son Bimby, tune in to Startalk this afternnon on GMA, 2:30 to 4:30 after Eat, Bulaga! Among the other features is a free-wheeling interview with Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)