As her son James Jr. celebrates his first birthday today, Kris Aquino told Funfare that, as per her doctor’s advice, she can’t have another baby in the next two years.
“Or else,” said Kris, “it will be very risky; I could lose my life.”
Last month, at the same time doctors diagnosed her mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino, with colon cancer, Kris announced that she lost what could have been her and husband James Sr.’s second baby.
“The egg was fertilized outside the sac,” explained Kris who described the incident as God’s will. “Otherwise, my time would have been divided between my pregnancy and helping take care of my mom.”
Kris is known to undergo difficult pregnancy that requires her to stay in bed during the first trimester. She usually suffers from hypertension and gestational diabetes, as she did while heavy with James Jr. Aggravated by showbiz intrigues and controversies, Kris nearly lost not only her life but also that of James Jr. when her blood pressure shot up and she suffered pulmonary infection.
“At first,” added Kris, “I didn’t plan to celebrate Baby James’ birthday because of my mom’s condition. But my mom insisted that we should, and so...”
Shuttling between taping for her ABS-CBN shows Boy & Kris and Wheel of Fortune, Kris said she had no choice but to hire a birthday-party planner.
“It won’t be the usual birthday party. Instead of a buffet table, gaily-decorated booths will be set up, each one carrying a different kind of goody. There’s a hotdog booth, an ice-cream booth, etc. Masaya!”
Even if she’s undergoing chemotherapy (through a gadget attached near her right shoulder blade),Tita Cory will be there to join the celebration although not for long because she needs as much rest as she can.
“She’s an ideal patient,” Kris said of her mom. “She doesn’t complain. If she’s in pain, she doesn’t show it. While undergoing chemotherapy, she’s highly-vulnerable and highly-susceptible to infections so we try to keep her protected in her room. If you have colds and you go near my mom, she could be easily infected. She’s also on a strict diet. Bananas, papaya and mangoes are good for her. Certain kinds of food are bad for her. If she eats them, she suffers from a feeling of blockage in her stomach and she has to go to the comfort room often.”
Kris revealed that her mom has learned how to enjoy watching basketball on TV, thanks to James who plays for Purefoods. Besides James Jr., Kris’ other son Joshua is always around to keep their grandma company.
“Maganda ang bonding nila,” said Kris. “Thank God everything has fallen into place. My Kuya Noynoy and I are okay now, James and I are okay now, everything else in my life and our family is okay now. Very positive ang aura naming lahat and it’s good for our mom.”
Learning from her mom’s condition, Kris has started drinking lots of fresh carrot juice and alkaline water.
“Acording to my mom’s doctor, they are good anti-oxidants.”
Three more weeks and it’s Mother’s Day.
Asked if she and her siblings are cooking up a “surprise” for their mom, Kris said almost in a whisper, her voice breaking a bit, “We are just so thankful that she’s not in pain.”
(Note: For more on Kris, her thoughts about her mom and how she’s keeping a balance between probably her mom’s “biggest battle” and the stability of her own family, watch for The Ricky Lo Exclusives next Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Q-11.)
What’s up?
• 2008 is the year for smooth sound-tripping on the FM band, with the new sound of XFM92.3 Manila. Emerging from the liquid sound of chillout, XFM has now transformed itself into the hub of the smooth jazz market — a reflection of the preferences of its sophisticated audience base from their 20s to their 40s. Weaving this smooth-music format intricately with the sound of cool pop and rhythm n’ blues, and spanning decades from the ’70s to the most current, XFM proffers a select and distinctive sound that’s neither obtrusive nor monotonous, which is the perfect aural backdrop for people in their workplaces, and a fitting complement to laidback weekends at home. This “light” sound is the new sound of XFM, a mix that ultimately hits the mark with busy urban audiophiles in the metro.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)