MANILA – TV host-actress Kris Aquino recently admitted on national television that she and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista are dating.
On the April 7 episode of “Aquino and Abunda Tonight,” Aquino referred to her relationship with Bautista, a former actor, as a “work in progress.”
She said that her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, and her sisters have even given their blessing to her and Bautista.
But when did it all begin?
Bautista was featured in the April 2014 issue of Esquire Philippines. It can be assumed that his interview with the men’s magazine’s editor-in-chief, Erwin Romulo, was conducted within the first three months of the year.
In the interview, Bautista was asked about his love life – or lack of it – and his marriage plans but the mayor made no mention of Aquino or any other woman, even his long-time girlfriend Tates Gana.
“No, I’m not seeing anyone at this point,” he was quoted as saying, adding that his last relationship was in 2003.
Bautista went on to share what he is looking for in a partner: “That she’s independent enough. Matibay din. In fact, dapat mas matibay siya kesa sa ‘kin. Siya magsasabi na, ‘mali ‘yan.’ Or ‘go for it.’
Masarap din kausap. Maganda ‘yung pagkagising mo sa umaga may kausap ka. Pag-uwi mo, may kausap ka rin. ‘Yung nagsasabi sa’yo ng totoo, alam mo ‘yun. Those are the ideals but I don’t know if there’s an ideal out there.”
He stressed that it is not that difficult to date a mayor, referring to his position. “Hindi naman. Panahon lang talaga problema diyan. Timing lang. But if both of you are willing to give each other enough time to be together or to understand each other at the end of the day, walang problema ‘yan.”
When asked if he wants to get married even at the age of 46, Bautista said: “Oo, ayaw nila maniwala that I’m the marrying type eh.”
Kris dumped by suitor before Feb. 14
Early this year, Aquino confirmed reports that she is entertaining a suitor, whose name was not revealed.
On the February 17 episode of her morning show, “Kris TV,” Aquino revealed that she was dumped by her unnamed suitor before Valentine’s Day, which also happens to be her birthday.
“Ang sad, it hurts. Kasi ako ang nasabihan na ‘I never want to talk to you or text you for the rest of my life.’ That’s life. Kung pwede ko lang talaga ma-rewind at ma-edit kung ano ang nangyari. Nasabihan ako talaga. Kina-shocked ko talaga. ‘Yun din ang sinabi ko, ‘Ouch, ang harsh,’” she recalled.
“Pero at least walang lokohan… Siguro grabe din ang nasabi ko. At least inaamin ko mayroon din akong fault,” she added.
As early as March, Aquino’s ex-husband James Yap said he heard that Aquino has beendating a politician, but he does not know who he is.
The basketball player’s marriage to Aquino was annulled two years ago. They have a son, Bimby, who now lives with Aquino.
“Basta kung saan siya masaya, maganda ‘yon at happy ang buhay niya,” said Yap, who is in a relationship with Italian Michela Cazzola.
Meanwhile, in his column for The Philippine Star newspaper published in April 10, entertainment writer Ricky Lo said Bautista and his long-time girlfriend Tates Gana “haven’t really broken up,” citing a source.
Bautista and Gana have two children: Athena, 18, and Harvey, 10, who is part of the gag show “Goin’ Bulilit.”
According to Lo’s source, the two kids are affected that their father is now dating Aquino, which they only learned about from news reports.
The unnamed source said the children are thinking of going abroad with their mother in relation to the issue.
