Mark Lapid faces tough fight but finds romance with Kris

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid’s son is facing rough sailing in his gubernatorial bid as he is slugging it out with two rivals, both lawmakers.

Mark, however, seems to be in smooth sailing in his romantic pursuit of actress-talk show host Kris Aquino, daughter of former President Corazon Aquino.

The Sun Star Pampanga reported yesterday that Kris spent her Easter Sunday with Mark’s family in Porac, hometown of the elder Lapid who is seeking a Senate seat under the banner of the Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats).

This, after rumors circulated that Mark’s mother, Marissa, had commented that she did not want 33-year-old Kris for her 26-year-old son, which Mark’s parents quickly denied.

The local newspaper quoted sources as saying that Kris was at the Lapid residence most of Easter Sunday and even attended Mass at the parish church where she and Mark were seated together, along with Marissa and Mark’s siblings Mitzi, Maan and Meynard.

In her talk show Morning Girls last Monday, Kris said she was in Porac town on Easter Sunday and even witnessed the salubong, a traditional procession where the Risen Christ meets Virgin Mary.

Reports of a brewing romance between Mark and Kris first circulated during the campaign sortie of Lakas-CMD senatorial candidates in Laguna last Feb. 10 when the two first saw each other.

Since then, Mark has reportedly been calling Kris on her cellular phone and sending text messages. Kris herself admitted this in her entertainment talk show The Buzz, going further by saying that Mark had even sent her roses.

The elder Lapid said he is "100 percent" in favor of Mark’s courtship of Kris, but declined to comment if the two were already going steady.

Mark has been eluding reporters since rumors about him and Kris started. Locating him has also been difficult since he is busy campaigning in remote communities in the province.

Mark is pitted in the gubernatorial race against fourth district Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc and second district Rep. Zenaida Ducut, who both belong to the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Local surveys show that the three aspirants are in a close fight, although Mark’s vice gubernatorial running mate, basketball coach Joseller "Yeng" Guiao, is enjoying a wide lead over his rivals.