Liza & Kris had ‘cordial’ lunch in Michael Leyva’s house
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (LAM) and former presidential daughter Kris Aquino had a cordial meeting in designer Michael Leyva’s house in Antipolo during his 36th birthday lunch.
Was it the first face-to-face meeting between the First Lady and Kris, known as the Philippines’ “Queen of All Media”?
“I think so,” says Michael, who Kris once described as a “father figure” to her sons Josh and Bimby.
When I asked Michael, who made the First Lady’s stunning ternos during the recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, if the meeting was cordial, he answered in a heartbeat.
“Yes. They were both excited to see each other,” he revealed.
It will be recalled that Michael also once arranged a meeting between LAM and Kris’ sons shortly after the latter arrived in the Philippines in July last year. They brought to her some pasalubongs from the US. The First Lady reportedly helped in easing travel arrangements from the US to the Philippines for Kris, who is suffering from a number of auto-immune diseases. She was in the US for some years for medical treatment, and came back for good in September last year.
The Marcoses and the Aquinos have long been on firm positions on opposite sides of the political fence.
But President Bongbong Marcos had once pointed out in an “ambush” interview that his wife “is their (Josh and Bimby’s) aunt.” Sari Cacho Cojuangco, who was married to President Cory Aquino’s oldest brother Don Pedro Cojuangco, was the sister of the First Lady’s mother Milagros. Thus, Liza and Kris have common first cousins.
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Chef Jessie Sincioco catered for the “intimate” lunch. According to Michael, “Ate Kris personally picked the menu. She was the one who prepared it for me, including the cakes.”
On the menu were smoked salmon and sautéed mushrooms salad; monggo soup with malunggay; sea bass fillet with linguini aglio e olio; beef tenderloin salpicao; chocolate cake and cheesecake, among others.
Michael was so happy with Kris’ improved appetite.
“She gained weight. Ang ganda niya,” he said. He also noted that Kris no longer needed a wheelchair. She can now walk with assistance.
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During her brother President Noynoy Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address in 2015, Kris Aquino wore a Maria Clara by Michael Leyva, then a relatively unknown 25-year-old designer, which drew raves and raves.
“She trusted me to make her gown for PNoy’s last SONA when I was nothing. I will be forever grateful for that. It opened so many blessings and opportunities for me as a designer,” Michael once told me.
And now, “Our First Lady now is also giving me so many opportunities and she accepted me and loved me despite everything she knows about me. It only shows how good and genuine her heart is,” he also said. He was referencing the fact that he never hid his closeness to Kris and her sons.
“Ate Kris knows how I love her and her kids,” said Michael. “That’s what friends are for. Hindi nag-iiwanan.”
“Michael is really like the younger brother I never had,” Kris told me when she first broke isolation to witness PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year” award for Michael early this year. Then still visibly weak and much thinner than she is now, Kris truly made an effort to be at the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.
“There are people who say that they’ll be there for you or maaasahan mo ako (you can count on me),” Kris explained. “But Michael has proven that so many times and in so many ways.”
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Earlier in the day, the First Lady joined Michael in distributing gift packs at the Antipolo SPED Center. The packs included school bags, hygiene kits, food, toys, rice and school supplies. It is a yearly tradition observed by Michael.
“Sharing blessings is the best way of celebrating my birthday — and being with people who love me,” says a grateful Michael.
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Smart bares Infinity plan with more perks
Smart Infinity, the premium postpaid brand of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has introduced its newest flagship offer: the Infinity Plus Plan 9500. This is the only premium plan in the market today that bundles one primary line and two supplementary lines under one account, which empowers members to extend seamless connectivity and curated privileges to their family, partners, or closest circles.
The Infinity Plus Plan 9500 is designed to provide all the connectivity needs of discerning professionals, business leaders, and decision-makers as it comes with unlimited data, calls, texts; 2GB of international roaming data for the primary line; plus ?4,500 worth of shared consumables across the account.
“This innovative plan is one of the many ways Smart Infinity continues to elevate the lifestyle of our members and provide them with the best experiences powered by our superior 5G network,” said Smart first vice president Marjorie C. Garrovillo.
“Infinity Plus Plan 9500 is not just another mobile plan, it’s a lifestyle choice. It allows our members to extend the same world-class privileges and care they enjoy to the people who matter most,” said Tina Montinola, Smart Infinity head.
The Infinity Plus Plan 9500 is now available through select Smart Stores and Smart Infinity relationship managers. *
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