Kris apologizes to Ruffa, Annabelle

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity TV host Kris Aquino on Monday apologized to fellow "The Buzz" co-host Ruffa Gutierrez and her mother, Annabelle Rama, after Gutierrez walked out of the show on Sunday, March 7.

In a statement sent via text, Aquino said she had dinner with her brother, Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who asked why he was being dragged into the issue.

Rama had earlier commented that people should not vote for Noynoy because the Aquino family was now becoming too proud even though the Liberal Party senator had yet to win.

Aquino said she and Gutierrez had a good working relationship for the past two years when the latter replaced Cristy Fermin as "The Buzz" co-host.

She also maintained that she never meant any malice against Gutierrez when she said that staying "Kapamilya" was much better. Gutierrez is leaving ABS-CBN after signing a non-exclusive contract with TV5 where she will do five shows including a showbiz talk show with Mo Twister and Cristy Fermin.

"I would like to extend a loving hug to Ruffa. I viewed the tape & although I still feel I gave my comment w/ affection, maybe it made her feel even worse because she's now moving in a new direction," she said in her text.

She added: "It is w/ Ruffa that I enjoyed a healthy working relationship with & I only have good words to say about her. To Ruffa, I sincerely apologize for causing u hurt. My brother Noynoy would like to add that we live in a democracy, one where we are very free to make our own choice for president."

Aquino also noted Rama disliked Noynoy and the Aquino family because of their association and "vocal proclamation of admiration for Dingdong [Dantes] and his selfless contribution to help Noy's presidential bid."

Dantes, a GMA-7 talent, is considered the biggest threat to the leading man status of Rama's son, Richard Gutierrez.

In her statement, Aquino also apologized to Rama for any distress that she and her family caused. "Hindi po ako mayabang, kaya ako nagpapakumbaba ngayon," she said.

She also said she told her brother that she is willing to move elsewhere if he wins the presidency and she is deemed a liability.

"I promised Noy that if he does win, and I'm a cause of stress for him and his presidency, I'll gladly take my 2 boys to live anywhere there is TFC so that I can continue to work but with our overseas Filipino brothers & sisters," she said.

She said Noynoy reprimanded her by saying: "Dinner daw yun- hindi teleserye ko."

Ruffa walks out of "The Buzz"

Rama admitted Sunday that she asked her daughter Ruffa to leave "The Buzz" set after she became fed up with co-host Aquino's constant interruptions during the show. "Naiinggit siya kay Ruffa siguro," Rama said during a phone interview over the talk show "Showbiz Central."

"Umiyak si Ruffa. Kanina pa, sa dressing room. Sabi ko, umalis ka na diyan sa The Buzz... Siya kasi makulit. Siya gusto niya magtrabaho. Ruffa, naiintindihan kita, nagtatrabaho ka sa ‘The Buzz’. Pero kung babastusin ka ni Kris eh hindi naman na tama iyon. At hindi ka lumalaban, eh binabara ka niya lagi. Ba't naman ganoon? Pinapabayaan mong api-apihin ka diyan?" she told host Pia Guanio.

Rama said that she already told ABS-CBN bosses that she was pulling out her daughter from the show.

"Ako, nagpaalam ako kay Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN Channel Head], kay Charo [Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN President], at saka kay Linggit Tan [ABS-CBN Head of Entertainment Production] na ipu-pull-out ko na si Ruffa. I did not tell them what's the reason, pero sa ginawa niya kay Ruffa... [kailangan ko sabihin sa] taumbayan, kaya ko pinull-out si Ruffa sa The Buzz, unang-una, pambabara ni Kris sa kanya di ko na ma-take," she said during the "Showbiz Central" interview.

"Ruffa, alam kong addict ka sa trabaho. Pero pag sa trabaho mo naman, kapag ginaganoon-ganoon ka ng mga kasama mo, hindi na tama 'yong ganyan. Kaya tama na pinaalis ko siya [at] mabuti na nakinig ka sa nanay mo," she said.

She also had some harsh words for Aquino.

"Kaya ako'y nananawagan sa taumbayan na huwag niyo na iboto si Noynoy [Aquino, Kris's brother running for the presidency], kasi hindi pa nga nananalo si Noynoy eh ang yabang-yabang na ni Kris. Akala mo siya na ang may-ari ng showbiz," she said during the interview.

Ballsy defends Kris

Aquino's older sister, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, meanwhile defended Aquino from comments that she is turning into a liability for Noynoy.

"I don't think she's a liability. Everywhere I go they ask about Kris and am told they love her," she said.

Ballsy said Kris has been a big help in raising funds for their brother's presidential bid. Asked if Kris was turning Noynoy's campaign all about herself, she replied: "Of course not. That's so unfair naman. If you know Kris, you will see what a big, kind and generous heart she has."

Talent manager and columnist Lolit Solis, meanwhile, urged Kris to take a leave from showbiz talk shows for the duration of the campaign.

Solis said all of Aquino's words and actions could be twisted and used to attack Noynoy's campaign. Kris currently hosts "The Buzz" while she is a judge on ABS-CBN's talent show "Pilipinas Got Talent." She is also part of the cast of the primetime teleserye "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo."

She is currently on leave from her nightly gossip show "SNN."

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting earlier urged celebrity endorsers such as Kris Aquino and Willie Revillame to take a leave from their shows during election season. Aquino, however, said she is banned from using her shows to promote the candidacy of her brother.

Despite her walkout, Gutierrez has stated in her Twitter account that she will continue to support Noynoy's candidacy.

'Give my sister some space' - Noynoy

MANILA, Philippines – Kris Aquino-Yap’s only brother, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, has appealed to media and the public to give his youngest sister time to sort out her personal problems.

Aquino reiterated his appeal amid the latest controversy faced by his sister and her husband, basketball star James Yap.

News reports said the actress-TV host made a scene outside the house of Mayen Austria in Valle Verde, Pasig City. While there, she allegedly hurled invectives at Austria, Yap’s rumored girlfriend, and at her mother.

On Friday, Aquino-Yap issued her side of the story. She denied the allegations against her.

The senator said his sister has yet to ask their other siblings for advice on the matter. He also could not confirm or deny if the incident really did happen as he was in La Union when news broke out.

The Liberal Party standard-bearer maintained that his sister’s problem is in no way connected to his candidacy and capacity to lead the country.

He also apologized for not being too “showbiz” about it.

Yap family airs side

Meanwhile, the star cager of Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants seemed unfazed by the controversy.

Yap was seen spending quality time with his son after a commercial shoot.

Yap’s parents also refused to be affected by the negative reports about their son and daughter-in-law.

Yap’s mother Annie made a similar appeal to put a stop to rumors about her son and daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Yap believes that her daughter-in-law is not capable of doing such a thing. She likewise belied reports that her son has another woman.

She added that politics could be behind the spread of negative reports about her family particularly since James’ father is running for a political post in Negros.

Kris names other celebrities for Noynoy

MANILA - Actress-host Kris Aquino thanked all the celebrities who have volunteered to help the candidacy of her only brother, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" III, in the May 2010 presidential elections.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Kris admitted that she has already received calls and text messages from stars who are willing to help campaign for her brother.

The Queen of Talk said she's really overwhelmed and touched by the expressions of support from her friends in showbiz.

"Naiyak ako talaga kasi pinadala ni Ogie Alcasid 'yung song na he wrote for Noy. Regine sang it, they recorded it," Kris said.

She also shared that Concert King Martin Nievera will be composing a song for Noynoy. The song will be performed by Nievera and Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla.

"Mayroon siyang kinompose naman na awitin niya with Zsa Za," she said.

To show their gratitude--and for the stars to personally meet her brother--the Aquino family will host a dinner for them on October 4, Sunday.

"I'm really overwhelmed kasi with so many stars, it just took a text or a call, and [now] we are having dinner with a lot of them [on] October 4, kasi we want them to meet Noynoy. Its ‘getting to know you’ kasi it's important na 'yong taong susuportahan mo makilala mo at makausap mo," she said.

Kris also said there are 16 stars who confirmed have their attendance to the dinner.

Among the celebrities expected to come are Mariel Rodriguez, Claudine Barretto, Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis and Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson. They have offered to help Noynoy.

"Si Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, we worked together and we are very good friends. And I told her 'I didn't ask you because I didn't want any political color and I didn't want to put you on the spot.' And she said, 'But Kris, I love you and your family and that's why I'm texting you, you have my support, and whatever materials I can give you, it's my personal donation to you,'" Kris said.

Kris also said she cried when she learned about Pokwang's decision to support her brother instead of another presidential candidate.

"Kay Pokwang, naiyak ako don talaga kasi malaking bagay 'yon. Sabi ko, 'Hindi namin kayang tapatan kung ano ang ino-offer sa iyo.' Sabi niya, 'Ano ka ba? Mahal kita at mahal ko si Noy.' Yon, so many people, instead na kumita pa sa kampyang, ito nag-aabono pa for us," she said.

While Pokwang's support made Kris cry, she laughed after reading Queen of Comedy Ai-Ai delas Alas's text message.

"I just wanted to say na thank you also talaga to Ai-Ai. Ang cute, kasi kasi sabi niya, 'Friendship, huwag mo lang ako ipapadala kung saan ako makikidnap kasi alam ko wala kang pantubos sa akin.' So gusto kong mag-thank you sa kanilang lahat,” Kris said.

'No politics in hosting'

To avoid being accused of bias, Kris said that she has decided not to tackle politics in her shows, "The Buzz" and “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon."

"It's just that ayaw kong may kulay and ayaw kong sabihan kami na I use my shows for Noy. I just really want to be careful about that. So, whenever there's...may politics involved or may mga news involved, I really try na si Boy ang nag-[ho-host or nagi-spiel noon]. And of course, if I have to answer anything on behalf of the family, I do," she said.

Kris said that she really wants to help and support her brother’s candidacy, but she stressed that she will now be doing it outside of her programs.

"Natural lang naman na gusto mong suportahan mo ang kapatid mo, pero mas maganda naman na magawa ko ito outside my work. Tutal naman ang kinikita ko sa work ko sa kanya na," Kris said.

'Real score with Korina'

After revealing in public that she and popular broadcaster Korina Sanchez have reestablished communications and are now “united” again in support of the Liberal Party tandem, Kris admitted that she has not had a chance to personally talk to Sanchez..

"Kasi mahirap naman na loving-loving na kami. We haven't seen each other, hindi pa kami nagkakausap. Naiintindihan ko na she's busy with her wedding," the host said.

Sanchez will be marrying Senator Mar Roxas, the erstwhile Liberal Party standard-bearer, on October 27. Roxas gave up his presidential bid in favor of Noynoy Aquino.

Kris said she's hoping that she and Korina will be able to find time to talk and bond again, but stressed that what is important now is their support for the men they love.

"Ang importante, si Noy at Mar ay nagkakasundo. Support lang naman kami dito, hindi kami bida. For once in our lives, kami ang nasa likod lang, so dapat kung naasan sila, doon kami," she said.

On Wednesday, September 23, Kris with her sisters Pinky, Viel and Ballsy, recorded rosary songs for Star Records. According to Kris, the CD is their birhday gift for their mom, the late President Corazon Aquino, who was known for her devotion to The Holy Rosary.

Search: Kris Aquino: Release of 10 convicts insults dad's memory

MANILA, Philippines – TV personality Kristina Bernadette “Kris” Aquino, daughter of slain former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., branded as an "insult to her father's memory" the release of the 10 convicts of in Aquino-Galman double murder case.

In a report in GMA News’ “24 Oras,” Ms. Aquino said she felt “cold and purely emotional” when she saw the convicts walk out of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) last Wednesday after being pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“Nagalit ako dahil ang feeling ko na-walanghiya ‘yung memory ng daddy ko [I was angered because I felt that my father’s memory was insulted],” Ms. Aquino told GMA News reporter Connie Sison in an interview.

"Nangyari kasi, napanood ko sa news and nabigla ako, nanlamig ako, purely emotional [I was shocked when I saw it in the news. I felt cold and very emotional],” she added.

Ms. Aquino, the youngest in five siblings, said what struck her was the absence of remorse on the part of the convicts. “Doon sa lahat nang pinanood ko kagabi naramdaman ko wala ni katiting na pagsisi [From what I saw, there was not even an iota of remorse]," she said.

Malacañang has defended the executive clemency granted on the convicts, saying it underwent the usual processes and was not meant as a political vendetta against the Aquino family. The slain senator’s widow, former President Corazon Aquino, had become a critic of the Arroyo administration since the "Hello, Garci" scandal broke out in 2005.

“The decision to pardon the soldiers in the Aquino-Galman case was not a political one but a matter of procedure,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Thursday.

Sympathy

The convicts, for their part, insisted that they have nothing to do with the double murder of Aquino and his purported assassin, Rolando Galman, on August 21, 1983.

One of the convicts, former Captain Romeo Bautista, said they sympathize with the Aquino family’s sentiments and appealed for their understanding.

"Kami (ay) nakikiramay sa kanila. Masakit mawalan ng isang mahal sa buhay, lalo naman siguro para sa amin na wala naman kaming kinalaman, wala naman kaming alam. Dapat naman unawain din kami," Bautista said.

[“We sympathize with them. It’s painful to lose a loved one, but I guess it’s more painful for us because we’re innocent. They should understand us too.”]

Former T/Sgt. Claro Lat, for his part, stressed that it was Galman who assassinated Mr. Aquino.

Aside from Bautista and Lat, those who were freed were Rogelio Moreno, Ruben Aquino, Arnulfo Artates, Romeo Bautista, Jesus Castro, Rodolfo Desolong, Arnulfo De Mesa, Ernesto Mateo and Filomeno Miranda. They had been incarcerated for 26 years.

No forgiveness

Ms. Aquino meanwhile said she could never bring herself to forgive people who never showed contrition over what they did. "Kasi sinasabi dito na mag-reconcile, magpatawaran? Paano ka magpapatawad kung never naman inamin yung kasalanan?" she said.

[“They were calling for reconciliation, forgiveness. But how can you forgive if they never admitted their guilt?”]

Ms. Aquino also slammed the statement of one of the soldiers who said he carried the former senator's body to rush him to the hospital. "I felt it was such a blatant lie,” she said.

“Nung binuhat nila ang daddy ko, para silang nagbuhat ng kinatay na baboy. So huwag naman sanang magsinungaling na gusto mong dalhin sa ospital at gusto mong matulungan," she said.

[“They carried my dad as if they were carrying a pig. So I hope he will stop lying and saying that he wanted to help my dad by bringing him to a hospital.”]

Silent Cory

Ms. Aquino said her mother, former President Corazon Aquino, has refused to comment on the pardon to avoid accusations that she is politicizing the issue. She however said that her mother her mother asked her to remind the Filipinos on who her father was and who killed him.

"I had her permission, ang sinabi niya sa akin ikaw na ang magsalita para sa atin at sabihin mo lang, ipaalala mo lang sa buong Pilipinas, sa buong mundo, kung sino ‘yung namatay at sino ‘yung pumatay," she said.

[“I had her permission, and she told me ‘Ok, you speak in our behalf of us and remind the whole country, the whole world, who died and who killed him.”]

Ms. Aquino further said that they have no plans to dwell on the matter, even as she expressed worries over the impact of the issue on her mother's health. Mrs. Aquino is currently battling colon cancer.

"Actually, we’re not going to dwell on this primarily because my mom’s undergoing chemotherapy. Ayaw namin makadagdag doon sa [We don’t want to add on her] stress. It’s difficult enough for her what she's going through now,” she said.

Asked if she had a message to the convicts, Ms. Aquino said: "I don't have a message because I don't want to give them a chance to give me a message.” - GMANews.TV