According to Kris Aquino, two-thirds of the cancer cells of her mother Cory Aquino have been eradicated by chemotherapy. Kris and her husband James Yap (in photo) will be leaving on August 2 for a 16-day vacation in the United States.

Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Kris Aquino says her mother Cory Aquino is on her way to recovery

Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Friday, July 18, 2008
12:56 AM

When Kris Aquino's mother, former President Cory Aquino, was diagnosed with cancer, the TV host-actress realized the importance of having a regular supply of blood in local hospitals. The family emergency prompted Kris to make sure that other Filipinos in need would have access to blood transfusion.

As early as last year, Philip Stein officials asked Kris regarding her favorite charity and she named the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). During the opening of the Philip Stein boutique at The Podium yesterday, July 17, Kris narrated how she became involved in the "Feel It—Project Red Cross" program of the company known for its luxury watches.

Kris explains: "At that time, nagkasakit ang mom ko and they [owners of Philip Stein] wanted something health-related and sana with international accreditation. You know, I realized, when my mom was starting chemotherapy, sobrang bagsak ang platelet count niya so she needed a transfusion. Nagpa-panic kami kasi I couldn't give blood kasi kaka-opera ko pa lang nun, my brother couldn't give, my sister was anemic. Yung mga next of kin, hindi makapagbigay. Sinabi ko, ganun pala ka-important yun." She also recalled that when she gave birth to Baby James, she required blood transfusion and needed nine bags of blood.

Kris announced that Will Stein, the owner of Philip Stein, would be giving a check worth P1 million to the PNRC as an advance donation. This money will be used to purchase a platelet incubator that will be a big help to the Red Cross in collecting blood for health purposes.

After the short program at the Philip Stein branch that afternoon, Kris and her husband James Yap arrived together at Florabel's restaurant at The Podium to talk with the members of the press. She gave the press an update about the health status of her mother who is battling colon cancer.

"She goes to mass about three times a week. She's actually a lot, lot better compared to the initial stages. She's been very lucky dahil wala siya nung throwing up, wala siya nung mouth sores, wala siya nung falling hair," says Kris.

"With all the people praying for her, two-thirds of the cancer cells have been eliminated. Malaking-malaki talaga ang pasasalamat ko tungkol doon. Sana magpapatuloy ang pagaling ng mom ko. I think talagang miraculous. She lost a lot of weight, almost 30 pounds, but that's understandable. Nakikita namin talaga mas malakas na siya talaga. Compared to last March, hinang-hina talaga siya."

25TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF NINOY. During the event, Kris gave away yellow baller IDs that contain the inscription "The Filipino is worth dying for—Ninoy." This was the famous statement uttered by Kris's father, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., before he was shot dead on the tarmac of the country's international airport in August 21, 1983. "Reminder para sa ating mga Pilipino na may saysay tayo at may saysay ang binigay na sakripisyo ng dad ko," said Kris.

Kris introduced her own charitable project that day. "Pinagawa nila itong baller IDs and kapag binili nila ito, yung proceeds nito mapupunta sa Ninoy Aquino scholarship program of my mom. Kasi my nephews wanted to do something for my mom para maging happy siya."

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) took this opportunity to ask Kris what she has realized as the 25th death anniversary of her father approaches.

"Natutuwa ako to see how involved my nephews are to have thought of this [referring to the baller IDs]," says Kris. "We recently realized, kaming mga siblings, na it's our turn to take care of my mom. Kasi when my dad died, she was mother, father, everything to us. Then ngayong nagkasakit siya, ngayon kami nakakabawi. The simple things of taking care of her. Ang mom ko, very thoughtful. Like kung may namatay, she would call me up, kasi we own a flower shop. She'd say, ‘send flowers ha, then send me the bill.' Ako naman, ‘Mom, sisingilin pa ba kita? That's on me na."

U.S. VACATION. Kris is also excited about the 16-day vacation that she and James will be having in New York and Las Vegas. "Pinagbigyan niya ko kasi on the first night, we will be watching Little Mermaid. The next night, we are going to watch Legally Blonde then yung last Wicked. Then we're going to watch Cher in Las Vegas. Sabi nga ni James, isa lang ang kilala nating kanta kay Cher yung ‘Believe.' Then we're going to watch Love and Le Reve, parang water-water effects na bongga raw."

Kris and James will also go on a Sex and the City tour while they are in New York. "Lahat ng pinag-shooting-an meron silang tour sa New York. Sabi niya, ‘sige na nga, dalawang oras lang ‘yan.'"

What spots will James be visiting in the U.S.? "The NBA store in Fifth Avenue," says Kris. "Dun lang kasi kami nakakabili ng shoes niya kasi size 13 siya."

Will they be trying the casinos in Las Vegas? Kris says she doesn't want to go into casinos, to prevent James from being addicted to them. The couple will be leaving for the United States on August 2 but they will be back in time for the death anniversary of her dad.

Starting July 28, Kris will once again be seen hosting Kapamilya Deal or No Deal on ABS-CBN. In the first episode, Gabby Concepcion will appear in the said game show.

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