Basketball player James Yap, husband of Kris Aquino for five years, filed today, August 16, a Motion for Provisional Award of Visitation Rights at the Makati Regional Trial Court. 

The petition aims to give James Yap the right to see his three-year-old son, whom he last saw on July 30. That was after Baby James's vacation with his mommy Kris and brother Joshua in the U.S.  James  said that his wife, who recently filed a petition to nullify their marriage, has prohibited him from seeing Baby James.  (CLICK HERE to read related article) 

"Two and half weeks ko na siyang hindi nakikita.  Siyempre, anak ko 'yon, miss na miss ko na rin kaya magpa-file kami ng visitation [rights]," said James who appeared before the media with Atty. Lorna Kapunan this afternoon, August 16, in Ortigas, Pasig City.

The 28-year-old cager said he has done everything he could to get in touch with his son.  However, it seems that every communication from Kris's end has already been cut off. 

He related, "Una, kinokontak ko 'yong yaya ni Baby James, nag-uusap naman kami.  Then, dumating 'yong time na hindi ko na makontak 'yong yaya ni Baby James.  Kasi, honest lang naman ako, e, sinabihan ako ni Kris na hindi siya makikipag-usap sa akin.  Mag-usap na lang daw kami pagkatapos ng case na 'to.  So, 'yon ang napag-usapan, 'yon ang tinext niya sa akin.  Ako naman, [sinubukan] kong kontakin 'yong [yaya].  Kasi, doon talaga ako tumatawag sa yaya.  Akala ko baka nasa walang signal lang so tinatawagan ko parati pero off na 'yong phone."

James also recalled, "Noong last ko siyang nakita, noong kararating nila [from the States] noong July 30.  Nanood siya ng game ko pero hindi kami masyadong nakapag-bonding dahil may jetlag siya.  So, noong hinatid ko siya sa bahay, 'yon ang last ko siyang nakita.  After that, naka-receive na ako ng text ni Kris na, 'Hindi mo muna pwedeng makita si Baby James hangga't hindi pa natatapos 'yong kaso natin.'

According to Atty. Kapunan, her client also tried to visit Baby James at their house in Makati but the guards did not allow him to enter the building. 

"Na-experience ko rin talaga noong unang pumunta ako doon, noong nasa States pa sila.  Humihingi ako ng access pero kailangan pang tumawag sa taas.  Siyempre, ako naman, bakit kailangan pang tumawag sa taas, e, parang may karapatan naman yata ako dito.  Mayroon daw pinabilin so sabi ko, wala na akong magagawa."

Atty. Kapunan says the petition does not include specific terms yet. 

She said, "Although we received text message from Kris saying that she's open to a visitation.  It cannot be under her terms because you cannot set a schedule, a deadline, and a venue.  The father should be allowed to freely visit a child especially this is a four-year-old boy who polarizes with the father and they have the same interests.  So, to say na you can only visit him day time or certain times with the yaya, I think, is very limiting.  There must be trust. 

"What James is saying here, in this petition, there must be trust between the parties.  If they are quarrelling about certain matters they should not be quarrelling over the child.  James realizes that it should not interfere with the schooling of Baby James.  Also, he has contract commitments, he also has practice schedules for his basketball games.  So, Kris should be assured that it will be a convenient time to all three parties concerned."

Atty. Kapunan says James wants to see his son this week.  "He just wants to see for the meantime Baby James.  Sana, if possible, this week.  Then, kung puwede nang pag-usapan ang schedules in the future."

James said that he wants some quality time with his son.  His message to his son was, "Baby James, ginagawa ko ito para sa 'yo.  Miss na miss na kita.  Gusto kitang makita, gusto kitang makasama.  Sana maayos 'to at mapabilis para makita kita.  I miss you and I love you so much, Baby James."

NO MORE CHANCE TO TALK.  While Kris was on vacation with her two sons in the States, James said that she already asked their house helpers to pack his things.  At the time, he was still hoping he could talk to Kris about their marriage.

James narrated, "Nag-text sa akin 'yong nag-aayos ng gamit ko.  [Sabi niya], 'Sir James, pa-pack po namin 'yong gamit mo.'  Sabi ko, 'Huwag muna, huwag muna. Kailangan ko munang kausapin si Kris.  Kahit sinabi ni Kris na ipa-pack na sa inyo,' sabi ko, 'huwag muna, kailangan kong munang kausapin si Kris.'  Then, tinext ko si Kris, 'Pwede ba tayong mag-usap ng personal.'  Sabi niya, 'Wala na tayong kailangang pag-usapan.'  'Tapos 'yon, pina-pack na niya ang lahat ng gamit ko, nilagay sa box.  Lahat ng gamit ko ngayon sa bahay, kung saan kami nakatira, wala na do'n.