Kris Aquino makes first public appearance at People of the Year 2025 awards night
Kris Aquino made a surprise appearance at the PeopleAsia's People of the Year 2025 on Tuesday night, February 25.
In a quick chat with the press, the Queen of All Media said she attended the event to support her good friend, Filipino fashion designer Michael Leyva, who was one of the awardees.
“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 said about Micheal.
Then, she added in jest, “And he gave his two cars for us. Nakompromisa ka na.”
Related gallery: Young Kris Aquino has the internet swooning with throwback pics and videos
Coincidentally, Kris's appearance happened on the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a historic event that involved her late parents, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.
Asked about this, Kris, who was wearing a yellow face mask, answered, “I actually thought today was the 24th, tomorrow pa yung 25. He was the one who told me. Sabi niya [last night], 'Ano ka ba, bukas yung…' So, sabi ko, 'Perfect!' Talagang perfect coming out.”
She also apologized for coming in late, “They had trouble waking me up because I started a new medicine last night.”
In line with this, GMA Integrated News reporter Aubrey Carampel asked Kris about her health condition.
She briefly answered, “I'm not so okay. Nahihilo ako.”
The short interview ended with Kris and Michael posing for a photo opportunity with the media.
Based on her last health update, Kris mentioned that she needed to remain in isolation, especially after her immunity seemed to be getting worse.
Despite feeling hopeless sometimes, the TV host-actress said she continues to encourage herself to endure what she has been going through because of the love and support that she receives from the people around her.
MEANWHILE, HERE'S A TIMELINE OF KRIS AQUNO'S HEALTH STRUGGLES:
Migraine
One of Kris Aquino's main health concerns is her migraine, for which she took 34 injections in 2017 to prevent the headache.
Hypertension
Kris also suffers from hypertension, which motivated her to keep a healthier lifestyle to prevent her blood pressure from shooting up.
Anaphylactic reaction
In early 2018, Kris posted on Instagram about having anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
Weight loss
Amid the business betrayal that she recently experienced, Kris experienced an alarming 15-pound drop in her weight. Kris then sought medical attention in Singapore following this.
Fears
In a lengthy Instagram post, Kris revealed her worries as she waited for her medical results, and how her two sons, Josh and Bimby were also scared for their mother's health.
Worried for her sons
Kris revealed that both her sons were anxious and confused. Her younger son, Bimby even offered to donate his kidney to her should it be needed.
Blood testing
Kris underwent extensive tests which included drawing 12 vials of blood in a week and another 16 vials the following week.
Medical findings
After several tests and a week of waiting, Kris shared her health findings. She was diagnosed with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, an autoimmune disease which requires her to be on high dosage of anti-histamines as she is prone to recurring severe allergic reactions.
Rare disease
Kris noted that her condition is a rare illness, affecting less than 1% of the world's population and requires her to always carry emergency medication for allergies.
Back to work
Presently, Kris is glad to be back to work with more peace of mind and control over her health.
Delaying the inevitable
On January 5, 2018, Kris Aquino revealed at a press conference that she is battling “a form of lupus.” She said, “Now I can tell you the truth, I'm allergic to every single medicine that can cure you or at least manage your symptoms kung may lupus ka. All my doctors are doing now is delaying it.”
What causes extreme weight loss
Kris went to Singapore again with her youngest son Bimby to undergo another series of tests “to determine why I have symptoms and blood test results seeming to confirm two autoimmune disorders, SLE (a form of Lupus) and Thyroiditis.”
"Not healthier but not worse."
Despite identifying the cause of her rapid weight loss, Kris Aquino shares that she still has a hard time restoring her health. In early 2020, the Queen of All Media said she still needs to “battle anemia, control my thyroid issues, and other stuff. I may not be healthier, but I'm not worse.”
Symptoms
Being at peace with her condition, Kris often gets candid about her autoimmune disease on social media. For one, the TV personality showed a photo of herself with her left eyeball visibly protruding than her right. According to Kris, this is one of the signs of her autoimmune thyroiditis.
Taking matters to her own hands
Because of her autoimmune disease, Kris Aquino makes sure to hinder herself from being exposed to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). That means moving away from the city and renting a home in the province where she can rest and focus on her health.
Recent condition
On January 3, 2021, Kris Aquino posted photos of her getting treatment which undeniably showing her weight loss compared to how she looked in her recent posts on Instagram.
Treatment
Kris Aquino recently revealed through her post that she will soon go abroad for another treatment.
Drastic
The TV personality is currently experiencing drastic weight loss. Now she weighs 88 lbs. or 40 kilos.
Faith
Kris Aquino ends her Instagram post with a positive thought: “My faith in God has taught me I must completely surrender all, to His will and His timing.”
Health update
On January 13, 2022, Kris posted on her Instagram account another update about her health condition. The TV personality showed some videos of her being taken care of by private medical personnel.
Kris also mentioned that she needs to fight her declining health for her two sons, Josh and Bimb. She wrote, "Mahaba pa ang laban ko to strengthen my body & heal my broken heart… BUT from childhood I already knew, for me weakness could never be an option… especially NOW because I have kuya Josh & Bimb who still need me to love, care, and provide for them. Para sa dalawang pinakamamahal ko, hindi ako susuko."
Fragile and weak
Kris shared that her veins in the IV line are getting fragile and weak. She wrote, "Isang request lang po, please don't scold my nurse for not wearing gloves during our IV insertion- ako po ang nag request na tanggalin na nya kasi naubusan ako ng veins for the IV line, fragile & weak kasi ang mga ugat ko. Whether doctor or nurse, inaabot minsan ng 8 attempts to get the line successfully in."
Loved by friends
She also thanked her friends who prayed for her healing and sent her flowers, rosaries, prayer books, etc.
Xolair treatment
On March 1, 2022, Kris Aquino happily told her followers about her first successful Xolair injection. According to www.hopkinsmedicine.org, Xolair is used to treat patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma.
Preliminary tests
In March 2022, Kris Aquino underwent preliminary tests such as PET/CT Scan, endoscopy, and bone marrow biopsy before going abroad to seek further treatment. On these tests, Kris was grateful that there was no tumor detected on her. However, she was diagnosed with erosive gastritis and gastric ulcer. She is still waiting for the bone marrow biopsy result.
Cancer ruled out
In an earlier post, Kris said about the tests done to her, "Cancer is ruled out, kidney function is okay, sugar is fine (meaning no diabetes), and so far liver function is okay considering all my maintenance meds."
Sources of strength
Kris Aquino continues to draw strength from her two boys, Josh and Bimby, as she goes through this health scare.
Treatment in the US
In her birthday greeting to Regine Velasquez, Kris revealed that she had planned on going to the United States and staying there for one year to seek treatment.
Travel clearance
However, Kris's plan to go to the US did not materialize as she failed to get travel clearance from her doctors, citing her high blood pressure. "Hindi ko kakayanin yung long haul flight," she said.
Life-threatening
A few weeks after she failed to get her travel clearance, Kris admitted that her illness is now "life-threatening." She also explained that she has three autoimmune diseases - chronic spontaneous urticaria, autoimmune thyroiditis, and Churg Strauss-Syndrome.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA)
Through an Instagram post on June 3, Kris Aquino shared the latest diagnosis of her medical doctors about her condition. Her doctors revealed that Kris has been diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), a disease caused by inflammation that occurs in certain types of cells in your blood or your tissues.
Serious medical treatment
Despite the severeness of her health condition, Kris is hopeful to undergo a series of medical treatments in the U.S. and thanked everyone who prayed for her immediate healing and recovery.
"Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nagdasal for my recovery. Here's the truth as explained by my attending physician Dr. Niño Gavino, an exceptional Filipino American doctor based in Houston who successfully diagnosed what's really wrong with my health," she wrote on Instagram.
'Time is now my enemy'
The Queen of all Media admitted that she is running out of time to be fully recovered, as it was also disclosed by her medical doctors.
"I'll miss you- my friends & followers very much. Time is now my enemy, naghahabol kami hoping na wala pang permanent damage to the blood vessels leading to my heart," Kris shared.
June 2022
In June 2022, Kris shared a brief update about her health status.
"For now, 12 noon, June 29, 2022 where we are-this is what I felt you needed to know, straight from me para alam ng lahat ito ang totoo," she wrote in her post.
"This isn't a permanent goodbye, ibalato n'yo na lang hanggang malagpasan namin itong matinding pagsubok. Thank you for all your prayers- Í am forever #grateful," Kris added.
Two more autoimmune diseases
In August 2022, Ballsy Aquino shared that her sister Kris Aquino has been diagnosed with two more autoimmune diseases after a series of medical testing in the United States.
Suitable treatment
Kris's medical team is still determined to find a suitable treatment for her medical condition. Another team of medical doctors will handle her further treatments according to her sister Ballsy.
Gratitude
In August 2023, she wrote, "I chose the midpoint between my mom's 14th death anniversary and my dad's upcoming 40th death anniversary to THANK ALL OF YOU who continue to PRAY for my recovery."
No cure
Kris has accepted that daily management of her health is now a part of her life. "Clarification: Autoimmune disorders have NO CURE, but life threatening damage on the patient's organs can be prevented or managed if diagnosed early and/or given the proper treatment."
Home
Though she has settled in her California rental home, Kris says she wishes to come back to the Philippines once her health allows. She also emphasized that she is single and she chooses to feel more peaceful.
Boy Abunda
In October 2023, one of Kris's closest friends in showbiz, Boy Abunda, paid her a visit. Kris said, "Boy never asked for anything pero sa laki ng utang na loob namin sa kanya."
Fifth autoimmune illness
On 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' last February 2024, Kris Aquino shared with her longtime friend Boy Abunda that she has her fifth auto-immune illness which can be a mixed connective tissue disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
Allergic to medicines
In Boy Abunda's interview with Kris Aquino, the former TV host-actress shared that her medication has become more challenging because of her being allergic to some medicines.
Crucial stages
Kris Aquino stated on 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' in February 2024 that the coming months will be crucial to her since she will have to undergo treatment with new medicine, which may cure her illness or just worsen her condition.
Keeping her promise
On Bimby's 17th birthday, Kris Aquino penned a heartfelt message for her son. Kris wrote that she is keeping her promise to Bimby that she will be strong and fight for her health.
“I'm sorry for showing weakness yesterday when I cried non-stop because of my fear that I may not be around to be with you on your 18th birthday--it's my fault for not being grateful,” Kris wrote to Bimby.
Return
Months after Bimby returned to the Philippines, Kris Aquino also flew back to the country. She mentioned that her return was to begin her second round of immunosuppressant treatment, which according to her is "a gentler term for chemotherapy".
Confine
Continuing her therapy, Kris Aquino was admitted to St. Luke's Global Hospital for tests. She also underwent a PET and chest scan to examine her breathing and sinus passages, as she had been experiencing constant headaches and a persistent runny nose.
Cancer
The day after her scan, Kris Aquino had a breakdown when her doctor informed her that the results showed heightened activity in her colon area, suggesting the possibility of colon cancer.
Brave
iat:
photo by: Ogie Diaz YT
Kris Aquino admitted that she struggled to tell her son, Bimby, the news while watching him peacefully sleep in the room. When she finally found the courage to share the news, Bimby bravely comforted her with words of positivity.
Cancer Free
After an anxious wait, the day finally arrived for Kris Aquino's health assessment. In a positive turn of events, her doctor confirmed that she's cancer-free and her intestines are clear.
Six
Despite the good news, Kris Aquino faced another challenge as she has been diagnosed with five, possibly six autoimmune conditions. Three of these were reported life-threatening and could damage her vital organs or blood vessels. They are Churg-Strauss syndrome (also known as EGPA), systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), and systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus/SLE).
