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July 2, 2010 “I can say with finality na sumuko na ako. Whatever decision I’ve made, it’s not a spur of the moment.”
With these words made live on national television, no less than her program with Boy Abunda, The Buzz, over ABS-CBN, popular television host and actress and now presidential sister Kris Aquino announced that it’s over between her and husband, the top basketball star James Yap.
At press time, news reports on television stated that it’s not just over, but legal work on the separation has been started. Is this just another of the couple’s quarrel? Kris never gave the reason for her decision to separate from her husband, except to admit that they have been living separately in different houses for days, if not for weeks, now.
While not elaborating on the reason behind their break-up, the usually loquacious Kris said it would be better if they kept it private between her, James, and her siblings. Kris said she was begging the indulgence of the people, especially their fans and supporters, for not revealing exactly the reason for the failure of her marriage with the basketball star, saying that the she needs to first explain it to her son when he comes of age.
“I’m doing this for my son. The world can judge me. I just want my son to understand me and his father,” the actress and TV host said, adding she only owes that explanation to her children, especially Baby James.
“The worst thing I can do for Baby James is when he’s 7 or 8 years old ay mahanap niya sa YouTube yung explanation kung bakit naghiwalay ang nanay at tatay niya. He deserves much more than that, he deserves to
hear it only from me and only from James,” she said.
James, on the other hand, has been mum on the issue, especially the legal separation, leaving it to Kris to do the explaining. “It’s up to her,” he said. Kris left their conjugal home in Makati City last week with sons James Jr. and Joshua, her son by actor Philip Salvador. But James tried to explain their situation in meetings with Kris’ brother, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, during a visit at his home on Times Street in Quezon City.
James also met with the sister of Kris, who later appealed to the public for their understanding and prayer for their sister. Kris said her sisters and brother had tried to mediate and settle things between her and James, but she deemed it is best to let go. Later on, Kris admitted to television host and columnist Ricky Lo that it was James’ words in front of James Jr. that triggered their breakup.
Kris also admitted to Ricky Lo that she and James have been living under one roof but totally separate lives. “I have never controlled James. More than one year na nga akong hindi nakikialam sa kanya. We have been living under one roof but totally separate lives. I honestly felt I was near my breaking point last week – that I could easily have a nervous breakdown because of presenting an everything-is-OK picture to the world when my home life has been so unhappy for so long. I was tired of lying to the world and lying to myself,” Kris said.
“Our lawyers discussed with Dondon Monteverde (James’ manager) last Saturday and they will meet with James’ lawyers in the next few days. Under the law, because of the kids I do have a right to our condo in Makati but if he refuses to vacate, ayoko ng gulo. My Mom was insistent before that the practical thing to do was to ask for a prenup. James is smarter than you all give him credit for. He told me then na-in-insulto ang pagkatao nya and I was stupid enough to not insist,” Kris added.
Kris also told Ricky Lo: “I just want a chance to heal. Akala ng lahat ako lang yung madaldal at pwedeng masakit magsalita. Hindi nyo lang alam lahat ng insultong inabot na rin ng pagkatao ko sa years na pinagsamahan namin. I have shared all this with off the record. I am not asking you to take my side but just to see why I am firm in saying this is a separation that will be legalized and finalized.”
Mario Bautista, a respected columnist, had reported that there are now many speculations about the break-up, with some saying that Kris is having “in-law” problems with James’ folks, but no one would confirm it. Others said that after Kris had that tiff with a former schoolmate, whom she suspected of having an affair with James some months ago, the marriage was never the same again, said the columnist.
It can be recalled that Kris left James after she confronted the girl who was a neighbor in Valle Verde in Pasig City. Since it was political season, political advisers of her brother reportedly had persuaded her to put up an appearance that she has reconciled with him as their separation that time would adversely affect his candidacy. It was gathered that Kris has been told to just break up with him after the election, and this is what is happening, said the columnist.
Kris first broke her silence about their troubled marriage in her Twitter account in which she stated that she and James were going through a “difficult time” and problems in their married life remained. Two days later, Kris suspended her Twitter account. Following the proclamation of her brother Noynoy as president, Kris announced her decision to leave her showbizoriented talk shows “The Buzz” and “Showbiz News Ngayon” both on ABS-CBN.
She said she left the two top-rating shows to avoid any controversy and issues that could affect her brother’s administration. Malacanang, meanwhile, believes Kris Aquino’s marital problems won’t get in the way of her elder and only brother President Aquino III’s work as head of State. “I’d be surprised if he allows that to distract himself,” deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar said Monday during his farewell briefing at the Palace.
He sees no need for such distraction, noting Mr. Aquino isn’t responsible for fixing his youngest sister’s marital woes.
Last week, reports said the marriage of Kris Aquino and famous cager James Yap is on the rocks. Both are reportedly living separately already. Malacanang is convinced Mr. Aquino will handle the matter accordingly.
“I’m sure he’ll know what to do,” Olivar said. “Certain boundaries must be observed between private and public lives,” Olivar said. People following the couple’s real-life drama must also learn to observe such boundaries since persons involved in it are still entitled to privacy, he noted.