The wedding, originally planned for February this year, was postponed to December this year because, according to Kris in an interview with The Star before Christmas last year, she still had some movie commitments (with Regal Films and Star Cinema, producer of her forthcoming movie, Sukob, with Claudine Barretto, directed by Chito Roño) to fulfill.
"James and I agreed that I would stop making movies after we get married," said Kris in that interview. "But I will go on with my TV work."
Asked about the second postponement when she met the press to promote her new commercial (for Pantene), Kris begged off, saying she’d rather not talk about it.
Now, the next question: Will Kris and James be celebrating their first civil-wedding anniversary in May? Persistent rumors (neither confirmed nor denied by the couple) said that Kris and James got married in "secret" civil rites on May 31.
An unimpeachable Funfare informer said that that rumored civil marriage was "not valid" because although Kris and James did fill up the marriage contract, it was never duly registered (why, the informer didn’t say).
But the important thing is that Kris and James are happy and it shows all over Kris’ face – and hair.
"Did you know that I almost didn’t get the Pantene endorsement?" said Kris who is happy being the Princess of Commercials, with Sharon Cuneta still the Queen of Commercials due to, said Kris, "her longevity and the number of products she’s endorsing."
Before she flew to Bangkok for the shoot, Kris was made to answer a five-page questionnaire (including such questions as "Define yourself" and "What’s your biggest achievement?") sent to her from Malaysia.
"I told Boy (Abunda, her bosom buddy and The Buzz co-host) that I felt like I was auditioning all over again. ‘Kunan na lang nila ang buong EDSA so they’ll see how many products I am endorsing,’ I told Boy. But Boy, who acted as my ‘agent,’ told me to do as I was told."
So how did she "define" herself?
"Boy told me, ‘Be poetic. Ilabas mo ang pagka-English-major (from Ateneo) mo.’ So I did."
And what did she think was her "biggest achievement?"
"My longevity in the business. That I survived all that I’ve been through."
Now 34, Kris said that women actually look their best when they are into their 30s, citing Hollywood actresses Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and many others.
"Women shouldn’t be afraid of aging," she said.
The 12 vitamins and supplements she takes every day help a lot, too, and the Vitamin E moisturizer she applies when she’s out in the sun. Because of her ulcers, Kris said she has stopped taking decaf.
Also because of her ulcers, Kris said "I wasn’t myself" during the Pantene shoot in Bangkok in December last year.
"I was taking five kinds of medicines for my ulcers, that’s why. Before going to Bangkok, I underwent endoscopy because I was throwing up eight times a day."
The Pantene commercial shows Kris’ hair as it is, as is.
"Walang daya," she said. "You see me every day and you can see that my hair is healthy talaga. You know, I’ve been using Pantene since I was 10, when we were in Boston pa, because Pantane was the brand that my sister Pinky was using."
In the commercial (guess how much Kris was paid for it...), Kris said, "I’m looking younger and younger every day," prompting her mom, former President Cory Aquino, to ask, "Krissy, if I use Pantene, will I also look younger?"
Without batting an eyelash, Kris told her mom, "You’ll look 55!" (Tita Cory is 73.)
Incidentally, isn’t Kris offended that her Pantene commercial is being spoofed (especially the portion showing Kris’ tongue out) by Michael V. on Bubble Gang?
Nope, said Kris.
"It means that I have arrived. Michael V. spoofs only the top commercials. It means that he’s giving me ‘a seal of approval.’ I’m flattered."
"No," said Aleck, "I did not."
There was no need, she said, because there’s nothing about her or in her that has to be "outed."
The rumor was spawned by Aleck’s closeness to housemate Gretchen Malalad (a military person, like champion housemate Nene Tamayo) and her decision to shave her head.
"Gretchen and I would hug with no malice at all; talagang naging close kami sa loob. But we never kissed. I must admit that I’m really tomboyish, ever since I was a kid," said Aleck who was once romantically linked to singer DJ Alvaro (where is she now?). "Lalaki pa rin ang gusto ko."
Like Carlo Maceda, her boyfriend who cried unabashedly (like the way Christian Vasquez embarrassingly did when he came out of Big Brother’s house) as he bade Aleck goodbye when Aleck and 13 other housemates of the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition entered Big Brother’s house on Feb. 5.
"Carlo and I started as good friends," Aleck confessed. "We celebrated our first anniversary as friends on Nov. 8 last year, the same date I decided to say ‘yes’ to him as a boyfriend."
Asked if she felt Carlo was faithful to her while she was "inside," Aleck smiled, "Oo naman. He never hides anything from me; he tells me everything – and vice-versa."
So why did she decide to go bald?
"I’d been planning to shave my head long ago, but I always hesitated. I said I should do it for a reason, for a cause. I found the reason and the cause inside Big Brother’s house. I cut my hair which I donated to a foundation which helps kiddie cancer victims. I’ve been supporting that foundation." (Aleck got P100,000, part of which he donated to the foundation and some he gave to her ailing father for his medication.)
Aleck didn’t go out of Big Brother’s house empty-handed. She got a laptop, among other "coming out" giveaways.
"Of course, I expected to get the grand prize (P1 million for the winning housemate and P1 million for a charity of the winner’s choice), but I could go only so far."
Was she disappointed that she was evicted?
"No," said Aleck who spent overnight at Hotel Rembrandt the night she was evicted. "I’m happy to be out. I missed Carlo kasi, eh."
Is she and Carlo living-in (like what Carlo seemed to unknowingly insinuate when he got Aleck’s dirty clothes for laundry)?
"No," said Aleck. "We are not."
She said it with a straight face.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)