Kris marks EDSA day by honoring ties that bind
The 39th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution didn’t go by unnoticed.
Aside from numerous Catholic schools and universities declaring it a school holiday, and several people gathering at the People Power Monument on EDSA last Feb. 25, “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino, daughter of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino, made her first public appearance in years.
Sidelined by several auto-immune disorders, Kris “came out” on the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution to show the power of loyalty.
Still a bit unsteady, and refusing to take off her yellow mask upon her doctor’s orders, Kris literally rose from her sickbed to show how proud she is of her dear friend, fashion designer Michael Leyva, who was one of the “People of the Year” awardees of PeopleAsia magazine. The glittering awards ceremonies were held at the Fairmont Ballroom of the Fairmont-Raffles Hotel in Makati, and Kris surprised everyone (except Michael, that is) by personally coming to greet him.
Kris apologized for being late, as her medication made it difficult for her to wake her up in time for the big event. According to Michael, his “Ate Kris” wanted to be there the minute he ascended the stage to receive his award from PeopleAsia publisher (on leave), Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez and yours truly.
“But the program went by so fast,” recalls Michael. “I told Ate not to come anymore but she insisted on being there for me.”
Why is Michael, who first made a gown for Kris during her late brother President Benigno“Noynoy” Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) when he (Michael) was only 25 years old, special to Kris?
“Really, he’s more than just a friend. He’s really like the younger brother I never had. And there are people who say that ‘I’ll be there for you’ or ‘Maaasahan mo ako.’ But Michael has proven that so many times and in so many ways,” Kris, who was wearing a bright pink jacket over a yellow shirt and a bouffant floral skirt, said.
“Since going to the hospital this is my first time going out,” she admitted. “But I really wanted to congratulate Michael.” She took pains to look her best and asked Arby Chanco and Jonathan Velasco to do her hair and makeup.
“You are deserving of my best effort,” she told Michael, who she said is also like a father to her sons Josh and Bimby. In fact, Bimby, who escorted his mother to the awards night, said from the sidelines, “It’s like both my parents are here.”
When a reporter asked Kris if it was a coincidence that she chose to make her first public appearance in years on the EDSA anniversary, Kris’ eyes, behind pink-rimmed glasses, sparkled.
“I actually thought today is the 24th, tomorrow pa ‘yung 25. He (Michael) was the one who told me last night ‘Ano ka ba, bukas ‘yung 25th.’ So, sabi ko, ‘Perfect!’ Talagang perfect coming out,” she said.
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Michael’s loyalty to Kris is tried and tested as well.
“Loyalty is one of the values I hold dear. I think it is a measure of one’s character,” Michael told me. He also values acceptance, that is why he so admires First Lady Liza Marcos, for not begrudging him his friendship with Kris. Michael is also close to the First Lady, who he said is not one to look at political colors.
Looking back, Michael said Kris first heard of him through then Rep. Len Alonte Naguiat, one of his first clients.
When she tapped him to do her gown in her brother’s ultimate SONA (in 2015), he was “Kabado. What an honor it was for me because I was not yet established then, and she gave me a break.”
For the Crazy Rich Asians premiere in Los Angeles in 2018, Kris wore a stunning mango yellow Michael Leyva gown.
After that, Michael received some 300 orders for a replica of that gown.
His friendship with Kris remained iron-clad even when the Aquinos were no longer politically powerful, and even while Kris was receiving treatment in the United States for her auto-immune disorders. Michael would regularly fly to her side to cheer her up.
Indeed, it was truly fitting to mark the EDSA anniversary by upholding the power of ties that bind.
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Earlier in the day, on the other side of town, Kris’ older sisters Ballsy Cruz and Viel Dee attended the ordination as Bishop of Balanga of Fr. Rufino “Jun” Sescon. According to Fr. Joy Tajonera, Sescon chose to be ordained on Feb. 25 to honor the spirit of EDSA.
The former secretary of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and the former rector of Quiapo Church, Bishop Sescon was ordained at the Manila Cathedral.
Cardinal Sin was one of the principal figures of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
During his homily at the ordination, Archbishop of Manila Jose F. Cardinal Advincula said: “The history of the Philippines cannot be written without mentioning the warrior Lapu-Lapu and our martyr Jose Rizal. We cannot teach the children Philippine history without them knowing the Katipunan and the valor of Bataan during the Second World War. We cannot retell our story as a people without the EDSA people power of 1986 and our history as a Catholic nation, without the voice of EDSA, Jaime Cardinal Sin. Indeed, we are standing as grateful and proud descendants of heroes and witnesses. It is our holy pride. We are proud of this heritage.
“The story of EDSA people power is a story of prayer power. It is a story of a praying nation using the values of the Gospel for social change. I am very sure 39 years ago, nobody in his wildest dreams ever thought that Fr. Jun Sescon would be ordained a bishop for the Church in Balanga today. Surely not Cardinal Sin; surely not Archbishop Soc who was a young secretary then—but God knew and God led us to this happy day.”
For his part, the newly ordained Bishop said, “Ang tunay na maka-Diyos ay makabayan din.”
(Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose father President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was deposed during the People Power revolt, “Since he became President, we did not hear of any events or activities to commemorate that event that were halted.”
“We should also take note: how is history erased? History is history. So the President cannot do it on his own to erase this from our history.”)
You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.
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