Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), commonly known as Kris Aquino, is a Filipino television and movie personality who gained prominence from her talk shows, game shows, and numerous endorsements. She is the youngest daughter of former Philippine senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, who served as the 11th President of the Philippines, and sister of Benigno Aquino, III, the current President of the Philippines.
Her first movie was Pido Dida, Sabay Tayo, which was followed by films such as Feng Shui and So... Happy Together.[citation needed] In 2006, she regained the same Box Office title for her movie Sukob, which is the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.[1] She is also the Executive Editor of her own bi-monthly magazine called K! The Kris Aquino Magazine. In December 2009, Aquino showcased her own Home Collection called K Everyday. In partnership with ABS-CBN Licensing, K Everyday features cooking collection, kitchen collection, plastic collection, and stationery collection.
She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actresses.
She is currently residing at Valle Verde in Pasig.
Early life
Aquino was born to Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino, Jr., senator during the Ferdinand Marcos regime. The youngest of five children, her siblings are Maria Elena "Ballsy" Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon "Pinky" Aquino-Abellada, current Philippine president Benigno Simeon III, and Victoria Eliza "Viel" Aquino-Dee. She is the cousin of actress and equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco and the niece of Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr.
In the 1978 parliamentary elections where her father was a candidate, the seven-year-old Aquino wooed the crowds as a stand-in for her imprisoned father at campaign rallies. The young campaigner was featured on the front page of New York Times and on Time Magazine. Aquino spent most of her elementary school days in the United States when the Aquino family was in exile. At 12 years old her father died after he was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila Airport. Kris Aquino returned to the Philippines and was a precocious presence in rallies against the Marcos regime. In an interview with the documentary Kontrobersyal, Congressman Teddy Locsin Jr. revealed that Ninoy Aquino named his youngest daughter Kris because she was born at the height of a major crisis, this has become an ironic trivia since Kris Aquino's life, being an 'open book' for decades, has consistently battled controversies and up to this point has remained in crisis.[2]
After the 1986 revolution that removed President Ferdinand Marcos from power, the teenage Aquino stepped into the limelight, starting with guest spots on television dramas and comedies, as well as talk shows. Finally, she made her film debut with actor-comedian Rene Requiestas in the comedy Pido Dida. This movie was a blockbuster hit and made Aquino the box office queen for that year.
Aquino afterwards had a commercially steady, though critically panned career and managed to score an acting nomination for The Fatima Buen Story. She is not a good speaker. She starred in a film based on a true-life murder, the Vizconde Massacre. Its financial success and successive crime films of the same vein in which she starred in gained her the nickname "Massacre Queen" by newspaper critics.[citation needed]
Aquino went to elementary school at Poveda Learning Centre, high school at the Colegio San Agustin-Makati where she was classmates with Pinky Webb. She graduated college from Ateneo De Manila University in 1992 with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature.
Career
In 1986, Aquino, at 14, made her first TV appearance on Inday Badiday's See-Tru on GMA-7. She was the star of the short-lived comedy show ABS-CBN Luv Ko Si Kris.
With her movie career slowing, Aquino shifted her sights on a television career as a talk show host launched through Kris produced by Viva Television on Channel 4 (at that time named PTV, this was transferred to GMA Network which has partnership with Viva and after Viva's contract with PTV ended). It was in GMA Network showbiz oriented talk show Startalk where she co-hosted with Boy Abunda and Lolit Solis that her hosting capabilities were noticed.
After her GMA and Viva no longer wanted her services, she went back to media conglomerate and GMA Network's rival ABS-CBN which noticed her undeniable hosting wit, offered her a contract and launched Today with Kris Aquino. In January 2003 to May 2004, she hosted the talk show Morning Girls with Kris and Korina, alongside popular broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez. It was intended for only two weeks but went on for 16 months. In 2007, she officially left The Buzz and Pilipinas, Game KNB? after giving birth to her second son, James. She was replaced by Edu Manzano in Pilipinas, Game KNB?. According to her, she had to give up her hosting stint on the said shows to give more time to her baby. It was also assumed that she does not want to go back to The Buzz because she no longer wants to work with former co-host Cristy Fermin.[3]
In the October 2008 issue of YES! Magazine, Aquino was considered top or the leading celebrity endorser, ranking number one among the twenty popular celebrity endorsers.[4]
Aquino is the executive editor of the K Magazine of ABS -CBN publishing. "Carrying Kris celebrity equity, "K" is about getting her style, her personality, her lifestyle and her appeal. The magazine reflects the key concerns of the target marget presented by Kris herself: beauty, fashion, body, relationships, career, money and self."[5]
Aquino hosted the Philippine franchise of Deal or No Deal, which is part of ABS-CBN's primetime lineup. It ended its first season on February 23, 2007. The second season of the said game show started on June 11, 2007. On May 5, 2008, she appeared on the US version as part of a "Deal or No Deal around the world" event, where host Howie Mandel and an American contestant were taken to an international location, and played the game in that country, with the local models and host assisting Mandel. She also hosts Boy & Kris, a morning talk show that replaced Homeboy, together with Boy Abunda,[6] and Be Bench/, a model search show together with Piolo Pascual.[7][8] Nestor Torre, a known critic of the Philippine Entertainment industry, pointed out that Aquino took a lot of risks when she chose to give up her two former shows. The critic pointed out that giving up The Buzz and Pilipinas, Game KNB? deprived her of the major exposure that those two popular shows afforded her. Torre also noted that it is much more difficult to successfully launch new shows than to resume hosting programs that are already popular.[9]
She hosted another TV franchise Wheel of Fortune, which incidentally replaced Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal. She said in an interview[citation needed] that she was a huge fan of the U.S. version and was thrilled to bring the show back to her country. (Wheel of Fortune had already had one 2001-02 run in the Philippines, which was hosted by Rustom Padilla and Victoria Wonderheim.) She hosted Showbiz News Ngayon on its newest season. In October 2008 after former The Buzz co-host Cristy Fermin was suspended by ABS-CBN, the Kapamilya network asked Aquino to once again host the top-rated showbiz oriented talk show together with Boy Abunda and Ruffa Gutierrez. After much controversy, Aquino hosted The Buzz again starting on October 26, 2008.
Aquino officially left Showbiz News Ngayon on June 25, 2010[10] and The Buzz on June 27, 2010 after being an on and off main host of the show for ten years. The reason for her leaving the show is that she will be spending time with her family and for her not to cause any issues while her brother Benigno Aquino III is in office as President of the Philippines.[11][12] Despite her leave for her family, she hosted ABS-CBN's new noontime variety show called Pilipinas Win Na Win but left after two months upon the decision of the management.
Film
Aquino got her start in film with the help of Regal Films, one of the oldest film outfits in the Philippines. Her early film includes the Pido Dida series, where she was paired with comedian Rene Requiestas and earned her first box-office queen award. She later shifted into other roles, notably with massacre films such as The Vizconde Massacre, Myrna Diones Story, Elsa Castillo-Ang Katotohanan, and Humanda Ka Mayor. Despite her being a big draw in the box office, her acting skills were considered stiff and mechanical. She was dubbed then as "massacre queen" because of her portrayals in massacre movies which was the vogue during the time.
She first drew praise for her acting when she earned a nomination from the Gawad Urian award-giving body, composed of film critics, for the film The Fatima Buen Story. She eventually won a supporting actress award for the film Mano Po (2002 Regal Films), where she portrayed a weak-willed and submissive scion of a wealthy Filipino-Chinese clan. This was her comeback movie after her long layoff from movie acting.
Aquino's most commercially-successful movies in her career are: Feng Shui, a Star Cinema production that featured Chinese influences and omen. Feng Shui, which was made during the wave of "Asian-style horror" flicks that spread throughout the continent after 2002's The Ring, made P137 million. It was the highest grossing Filipino movie of 2004 (and the second most successful movie overall that year next to Spider-Man 2 which made over P225 million). "Sukob," another horror thriller which she starred with Claudine Barretto in 2006, is the highest grossing Filipino film of all time surpassing Ang Tanging Ina, Anak & her own starrer, Feng Shui.
Aquino had her share of box-office bombs. Her 2003 movie with actor Robin Padilla, You and Me Against the World, flopped at the box-office right from the start. Made for P25,000,000 and released immediately after Aquino won acting awards (for her performance in 2002's Mano Po), You and Me Against the World made only P4,389,005. The film's producers lost an estimated P23,000,000, even with home videos accounted. Because You and Me Against the World failed to attract an audience, several movie theaters pulled the film out and replaced it with another film. Some theaters were reported to have done this on the movie's second day of play.
Personal life
Aquino had a live-in relationship with married actor Phillip Salvador with whom she has a son named Joshua.[13]
She was married to Philippine Basketball Association professional player James Yap of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. They had a civil marriage on July 10, 2005. The following year, she announced on The Buzz that she was pregnant.[14] In April, 2007, Aquino gave birth to her first son by Yap in Makati City.[15] Her son with Yap was named James "Bimby" Aquino Yap. In 2006, their marriage a former medical clinic receptionist stated that James Yap had an extra-marital affair with her.[16]
Aquino suffered a miscarriage with collapsed gestational sac and blighted ovum on March 25, 2008, a day after she announced that her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer.[13]
On June 27, 2010, Kris Aquino announced that she had separated from Yap, citing personal reasons and stated she is seeking an annulment of their marriage.[17] Aquino and Yap vowed to become good friends after their annulment.
Business ventures
Being successful in her TV and movie career, Aquino ventured into several businesses. She owns Lena Restaurant and Sencillo, a Mexican restaurant in partnership with several celebrities, and Roberto Antonio, an upscale flower shop in partnership with Boy Abunda.[18] She established a boutique ad agency in partnership with Boy Abunda but also including Nonon del Carmen and Agnes Maranan, and have decided to call it MAD (an acronym for their surnames, Maranan Abunda Aquino del Carmen).[19] She and Abunda with other partners own Sierra Madre Water, which is promoted as a miracle water for life
TelevisionYear Title Role Notes 1989 Kris at 18 Herself TV special of Aquino's 18th Birthday Celebration Luv Ko Si Kris Herself Main role 1992 Hoy Gising! Herself Segment host Actually, 'Yun Na! Herself Host 1994 Kris Herself Host 1995 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila Herself 1995–1996 Startalk Herself Host 1996–2001 Today with Kris Aquino Herself Host Kris TV sitcom 1999–2010 The Buzz Herself Host 2000 Puwedeng-puwede 2001–2007 Game KNB? Herself Host Replacing titles: Smart KNB? Milion Million na! Game KNB? Next Level Na! Game KNB? Pilipinas, Game KNB? 2001 Balitang Kris Herself Host Kris and Tell Herself Host Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Lapida" Annie with Phillip Salvador 2002–2004 Morning Girls Herself Host Replacing title: Morning Girls with Kris and Korina 2003 Meteor Fever in Manila Herself Host TV special 2004 Good Morning, Kris Herself Host 2004–2005 Hiram Diana Benipayo Main role, Her first teleserye 2006–2009 Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Herself Host In 2007, the Philippine version was one of a few international versions of the Endemol franchise to appear in the United States version in "Deal or No Deal Around the World," where American contestants were flown to various international versions to play on the local sets, with the local models and host, assisted by US version host Howie Mandel, playing with US rules. 2007–2009 Boy & Kris Herself Host 2007 Be Bench/ The Model Search Herself Host 2008 Sineserye Presents: Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara Barbara Main role Wheel of Fortune Herself Host 2009–present SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon Herself Anchor 2009 Pinoy Bingo Night Herself Host Salamat President Cory Herself The ABS-CBN TV specials on the Kapamilya vigil, funeral, legacy and burial of late president Corazon Aquino Laban Ni Cory Herself Salamat President Cory: Huling Paalam Herself Salamat President Cory: A People's Farewell Herself Salamat President Cory: A People's Farewell Herself Last Journey of Ninoy Documentary Special Herself TV special 2010 Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo Celine J. Crisanto Main role, Her second teleserye Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Kalapati" Herself Love story of Corazon Aquino and Ninoy Aquino Pilipinas Got Talent Herself Judge Pilipinas Win Na Win Herself Host Showtime Herself Judge 2011 The Price is Right Host Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Judge
FilmographyYear Title Role Notes 1990 Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo Dida 1991 Pangako sa Puso Shake, Rattle & Roll III Episode "Yaya" Pido Dida: Kasal Na Dida Ang Siga at ang Sosyal Magic To Win 5 Kathy Also known as Happy Ghost V 1992 Pido Dida 3: May Kambal na Dida Mahal Kita Walang Iba 1993 Vizconde Massacre Carmela Vizconde Humanda Ka Mayor Geron Olivar Nandito Ako 1994 The Elsa Castillo Story... Ang Katotohanan Elsa Castillo Myrna Diones Story Myrna Diones Tasya Fantasia Tasya The Fatima Buen Story Fatima Buen Bakit Pa Kita Minahal 1995 Saan Ako Nagkamali 1998 Hiwaga ng Panday Emily 2000 Eto Na Naman Ako Herself Cameo 2002 JOLOGS Herself Cameo Mano Po Juliet Go-Co Metro Manila Film Festival for Best Supporting Actress PASADO Award for Best Supporting Actress PMPC Star Award for Movies for Best Supporting Actress FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress KAPPT Award for Best Supporting Actress Dekada '70 Student leader Cameo 2003 You and Me Against the World Diana Mano Po 2: My Home Young Sol Tan 2004 Feng Shui Joy Ramirez So Happy Together Lianne 2006 Sukob Sandy 3rd Highest-grossing Filipino film of all time 2009 Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love Vivian Go Chan 2010 Dalaw Stella
Awards and recognitions 1990 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Awards - Box Office Queen 1998 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Talk Show (Today with Kris Aquino) 2002 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (Game KNB?) 2002 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show Host (Game KNB?) 28th Metro Manila Film Festival - Best Supporting Actress (Mano Po) 2002 2003 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Talk Show (Morning Girls with Kris and Korina) 2003 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Talk Show Host (Kris Aquino & Korina Sanchez) 2003 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Showbiz Oriented Talk Show (The Buzz) 2003 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Showbiz Oriented Talk Show Host, Female (The Buzz) 2003 5th PASADO Awards - PinakaPASADOng Katuwang ng Aktres, Best Supporting Actress (Mano Po) 2003 19th PMPC Star Awards for Movies - Supporting Actress of the Year (Mano Po) 2003 51st Famas Awards - Best Supporting Actress (Mano Po) 2003 KAPPT Awards - Best Supporting Actress (Mano Po) 2004 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Talk Show (Morning Girls with Kris and Korina) 2004 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Talk Show Host (Kris Aquino & Korina Sanchez) 2004 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Awards - Box Office Queen 2005 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (Pilipinas! Game KNB?) 2005 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show Host (Pilipinas! Game KNB?) 2006 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Awards - Box Office Queen 2006 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (Pilipinas! Game KNB?) 2006 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Showbiz Oriented Talk Show (The Buzz) 2006 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Showbiz Oriented Talk Show Host, Female (The Buzz) 2008 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Celebrity Talk Show (Boy and Kris) 2008 PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Celebrity Talk Show Host (Kris Aquino) 2009 27th People's Choice Dangal ng Bayan Awards - Best Female Game Show Host 2009 Anak TV Seal Awards - Most Admired Female TV Personality
