Kris Aquino makes first public appearance after years-long hiatus
Kris Aquino made a surprise public appearance on Feb. 25, the first time since she returned to the Philippines from the US.
The Queen of All Media was at PeopleAsia Magazine's People of the Year 2025 awarding ceremony, where her good friend, fashion designer Michael Leyva, was among the recipients.
Her management, Cornerstone Entertainment, shared a carousel containing a photo of Aquino's interview with the media and videos of her alighting the car, returning to the vehicle assisted by her son Bimby, talking to guests, posing for photos with Leyva, and answering questions from reporters.
“There are people who say that I'll be there for you or maaasahan mo ako. But Michael has proven that so many times and in so many ways,” she told the press in a video shared by GMA News.
“And he gave his two cars for us. Nakompromisa ka na," she added in jest.
Aquino's attendance was also incidentally the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power. Her parents, former president Cory Aquino and senator Ninoy Aquino, were among the central figures of the popular uprising.
She wore a yellow mask, a yellow blouse, a pink blazer, and a pink flowery skirt.
Yellow was associated with the EDSA People Power.
“I actually thought today is the 24th, tomorrow pa 'yung 25. [Michael] was the one who told me," Aquino said. "So, sabi ko, 'Perfect!' Talagang perfect coming out.”
Aquino's public appearance came three days after she posted an update about her health. She has been diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases while dealing with fibromyalgia, which triggers pain and tenderness throughout the body; polymyositis, an inflammatory disease that leads to muscle weakness; and mixed connective tissue disease, which combines disorders such as lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis.
She said she won't return to work anytime soon, adding that she's still underweight.
Aquino's last public event was in March 2022 during the campaign rally of former vice president Leni Robredo in Tarlac, the hometown of the Aquinos. In June of that year, she flew to the US for treatment for her autoimmune diseases.
Aquino returned to the Philippines in September 2024. The following month, she announced that she has an upcoming television show.
Other People of the Year Awardees this year include actress Marian Rivera, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, senators Risa Hontiveros and Loren Legarda, former congressman Ronnie Ong, businessmen Kevin Tan and Bruce Winton, sculpture artist Ramon Orlina, Dr. Steve Mark Gan, and retired colonel Ariel Querubin.
