PNoy teased Kris via SMS on night of rumored collapse

MANILA, Philippines — Talk show queen Kris Aquino on Tuesday attempted to end rumors that her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, has a serious illness.

On her Instagram account, Kris posted a photo of her text exchange with the president on March 20 around 9:30 p.m., the same night he was rumored to have collapsed in Malacañang and afterward brought to a hospital's intensive care unit.

"I still keep hearing the utterly baseless and senseless story about my brother having collapsed Friday night," Kris said in the image's description.

The siblings' exchange shown in the mobile screenshots starts with a lengthy joke from the president teasing his sister for being "konyo," or playfully mixing Filipino and English phrases in conversations.

Screenshot from Kris Aquino's Instagram account. Click the image to zoom.

Kris said his message arrived at the same time she remembered him.

"Ang weird, you texted me right at the moment I was praying [the] Rosary for you! As in fourth mystery now!" Kris remarked. "Pauwi kami from taping in Pampanga."

The president, whose name on Kris' phone is spelled "Noy," said the lines in the joke reminded him of loquacious television host.

"When I first got that, ikaw ang naaalala ko," Aquino told Kris.

To which Kris replied:  "Okay I don't know if I should be touched, flattered, or just laugh."

The Instagram post, which gives the public a rare glimpse into how the famous siblings relate with each other, has been "liked" by more than 18,000 netizens as of press time.

Aquino had earlier denied rumors of his health break down saying his detractors likely made the story up. - Camille Diola