Malinis na intensiyon ni Herbert nakita ni Kris

Ginulat ng aming kaibigang si Kris Aquino ang lahat nang tuldukan nito ang mga espekulas­yon tungkol sa kanila ni Mayor Herbert Bautista noong Lunes ng gabi sa aming palabas na Aquino & Abunda Tonight. Binasa ng Queen of All Media ang kanyang official statement tungkol sa isyu.

“It was seven years ago when James and I pub­licly went through what ultimately led to the end of our marriage. It has been four years since we se­para­ted and two years since we were granted our annulment.

“We have learned that Bimb (James “Bim­by” Yap, Jr.) deserves to have both his mom and dad involved in his life as co-parents. And that takes for­give­ness and compromise. It needs acceptance that we’ve all moved forward, that James has a long-term girlfriend, and it’s much better for all of us to be cordial because we want what is best for our son. We have matured enough to know that, though James and I failed at being husband and wife, we do have the rest of Bimb’s life to succeed at being his parents.

“Wala po akong pinakilala sa mga anak ko at sa mga kapatid ko for four years, because there was no­body I was ready for, and more importantly, there was nobody they were ready to meet. My siblings im­pressed upon me that I needed to become whole on my own first, so as not to commit another mistake. And thank God I listened. It was a journey that was often times lonely and painful, yet one I needed to travel to become the person I am today.

“And now, there is somebody in my life who is spe­cial. Weeks before any speculation about us came out, personal po siyang humingi ng permiso sa kuya ko. Maraming iniisip si P-Noy (President Noy­noy Aquino) kaya ang intindi niya noong time na ’yun na may gagawin kami ni Mayor para sa Quezon City. Until later, that same day noong nag-text kaming magkapatid, natawa na lang si P-Noy na permission to date his sister pala ang hiningi. But that gesture gained the respect of my brother and my sisters because it showed all of them na malinis ang intensiyon para sa bunso nila.

“Yes, my family welcomed him to join us during our get together, because they want to know him better, and they want him to get to know our family. Just like other Filipino families, we are very close and care deeply for one another.

“Sa edad, napagdaanan at estado naming dalawa, alam namin na seryoso ang pinapasok namin. We both chose public careers that have given us deep fulfillment, and we do have exceptional professional and personal responsibilities. And part of that is being answerable to all of you.

“Ito po ang una at huling pagkakataon na pag-uusapan ko si Mayor Herbert Bautista, sa punto ng buhay namin, whether in my shows, interviews or my personal social media posts.

“I promised him that our relationship won’t be a distraction in his obligations to the three million residents he took an oath of office to serve. He has given more than 25 years of dedicated public service, and my respect for him and his office is such, that I do not want to add stress, but hopefully give him inspiration.

 â€œIn turn, Herbert has expressed his admiration and respect for the dedication and hard work I have put into my profession. He values the love you, my au­dience, and I have shared on a daily basis for almost 20 years.

“I am 43 and, on May 12, he will be 46. I am sure all of you who are watching me now will agree when I state that staying together, that choosing to love one another, requires much day-to-day effort. And if there is something that the past has taught me, it is that I cannot be in this alone. Herbert and I are partners in either failure or success of our being together, and we can strengthen what we have by allowing ourselves to have a chance at forever by keeping quiet and private about what is here and now.

 â€œWe are a work in progress and it’s a joint project that both of us are happily undertaking with maturity, respect and commitment.”

Samantala, kahapon ay ginanap sa isang hotel sa Alabang ang 7th birthday celebration ng bunsong anak ni Kris at aming inaanak na si Bimby. Dinaluhan ito ng mga kamag-anak at kaibigan ng pamil­ya Aquino. Nakisaya rin sa pagdiriwang ang mga kamag-aral ni Bimby sa international school na kanyang pinapasukan. Mapapanood ang full coverage ng 7th birthday celebration ni Bimby sa Kris TV sa Biyernes.

— Statement courtesy of JASMIN I. PALLERA; reports from JAMES C. CANTOS