So what’s in a (torrid) kiss?

She follows such a punishing schedule that you wonder how she does it. Is she Superwoman?

Let’s hear it from Kris Aquino.

"I go ’live’ everyday for Morning Girls (with Korina Sanchez), Monday through Friday. I have to be in ABS-CBN at 9:45 a.m. My hair is done; Korina and I are briefed by the writers. Ten minutes before the show (airs at 10:45 after Teysi), Korina and I make chit-chat over coffee. We’re done by 12 noon.

"When I was shooting (You and Me Against the World) I’d go straight to the location. It was hard when the location was out of town (Batangas, etc.). Wednesdays and Fridays, I tape for Game KNB from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. I devote Saturdays to corporate-show hostings; Sundays, I go ‘live’ again for The Buzz. Next week, I’m shooting a commercial."

Not so busy, is she?

But even machines need a break, come on!

"This summer, I plan to bring Joshua to as many resorts as we can. Okay daw ’yung Panglaw Resort in Bohol and Club Paradise (in Palawan). I owe this prolonged vacation to Joshua."

So is love taking a backseat – for the meantime?

"You know, to have a successful relationship you need a lot of devotion; kulang pa ’yung devotion na ibinibigay ko sa love because I’m still devoted to my job.

"I feel that my volatility in my personal life improves my performance as an actress. I feel insecure kapag hindi na ako umiiyak. Kapag iyak ako nang iyak, ang feeling ko ang gaganda ng performances ko. Di ba the finest actresses have very colorful lives? Look at Ate Vi (Santos)."

Does this Superwoman ever sleep?

"I try to get as much as seven hours of sleep na derecho at night. I also catnap. Sabi nga ni Robin (Padilla, her leading man in You and Me), ‘Gifted ka talaga!’ John (Lapuz) gave me this really nice chair, which he bought in Dimensione, and I nap on it between takes. Same thing on the set of Game KNB. While they’re loading the questions, I take a nap. I sleep in my car, too. But my Mom is upset when she learns that I sleep in my car kasi daw most fatal accidents happen sa mga taong tulog."

Is she taking, aside from vitamins and minerals, any energy-giving supplements?

"Berocca. Natutuhan ko ’yan kay Maricel (Soriano, her Mano Po co-star). It works with me. I also take a lot of fresh fruit juices (carrots, strawberry and lychee)."

And speaking of her and Robin’s much-talked-about love scene in You and Me...

"Before the shooting, Robin rinsed with pure Astring-O-Sol; nagpa-cleaning pa ng teeth. Me? I just brushed my teeth with Crest Whitening Toothpaste. It’s comfortable to kiss somebody you know well. Robin and I realized that we’ve known each other half of our lives. Imagine! I was only 16 when I met him. Now I’m 32."

Did the kissing really last that loooong (several minutes)?

"Not naman that long; mabilis lang because the shot was taken from several angles. Direk (Jose Carreon) told us to be the ones to cut. The kissing scene on the beach was very passionate talaga. Ay, you should see it. Umaapoy talaga!"

How was it kissing Robin then and now?

"Very different; ibang-iba talaga. Then, it was personal. Now, it’s cinematic. Pero hindi ko kinaya ’yung ‘dare’ ni Robin for me to put out my tongue. Yuck! No tongue, please!"

Several years ago when she didn’t know any better, Kris decided to marry Robin. In fact, they have already eloped and driving as far as Pampanga when they realized the foolishness of what they were doing. Back to their right senses, Robin and Kris turned back. They lived to tell the tale sans regrets.

In the movie, produced by FLT Films, Robin plays a man who returns to Manila to pay respects to his deceased former employer after a 10-year self-exile in Mindanao, only to get entangled with the crooked cops he’s hiding from. In a shootout, Robin nearly loses his sight and it’s Kris (as an eye surgeon), sister of Robin’s victims, who saves him.

Which scene in the movie does Kris like best?

"Our confrontation scene on the beach."

Oh, did she have her own version of the "wet look"?

"Of course, not! I have no boobs, how can I? It’s all pads. I’m wearing a Victoria’s Secrets wonder bra, size 36B."

In that scene, Kris is asking Robin if he isn’t bothered by his conscience after killing her brothers while Robin is guilt-ridden and near tears. Very touching!

"He tells me that he owes me a debt of gratitude because I restored his sight and my heart melts," Kris explained the scene. "I tell him, ‘Hindi mo na maibabalik ang buhay ng mga kapatid ko, pero kailangan mabigyan mo sila ng hustisya.’ It’s a beautiful scene, with the ocean as backdrop, especially when he bids goodbye and says, ‘Hindi ako mangangako na babalik ako.’ And I answer, ‘Pero sa akin, madaling mangakong maghihintay ako.’ Nice dialogues, di ba?"

And how different are they now from then?

"You know, what’s nice is that we really have mature conversations now. I always tell him, ‘Aren’t you glad that you and I made the bulk of our mistakes when we were young, young enough to set things straight?’ You see, Robin and I are blessed with a second chance as far as our careers are concerned. We’re so lucky and we really, really appreciate everything now. Kasi the first time around, when fame came for both of us, we took it for granted. We had several missteps along the way. At least now, we’re still young enough, we’re not yet over the hill. Bida pa rin kami. Pero behaved na kaming dalawa ngayon."

In short, they’re now in control of their emotions; so in control that a mere, even if very torrid, kissing scene wouldn’t make them forget themselves.

"I’ve learned many things from Robin. Pati pag-iipon, natutuhan ko sa kanya. Di ba he’s building a house in Australia? So maingat siya sa pera. He has also taught me about rearing kids. ’Yung mga anak niya, ang education hanggang college secure na; napag-ipunan na niya."

Now, was anything rekindled during their love scene?

"None," said Kris. "We’ve become good friends. We know each other’s secrets. Robin knows even my darkest secrets."

Like?

"Secret nga, e!"

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