Really, Kris?

There she goes again, but the pattern has become familiar. It would seem that every now and then, Kris Aquino treats us to her teary spectacles. And this time, the drama was even more intense—presented on prime time TV news with an all-star supporting cast, courtesy of all three other Aquino sisters looking downcast, for a full 27 minutes and 54 seconds of airtime.

The script could have been perfect, except that no, not everyone was amused. ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” must have thought it was a clear shot at the ratings. Sayang.

Kris and her three sisters are not just public lives on television. Their brother is the President. One cannot overemphasize this in a country where the power of ruling families can be very expansive. The visual image of all four talking against one former brother-in-law only highlighted the immense power of the one absent sibling who happens to be the President of the Republic. And thus appeared on TV the First Family of the land circa March 2013.

Kris is not just a television face. She is the President’s sister. I wonder if that ever occurred to sisterakas  Ballsy, Pinky and Viel.

There is a thin line between private and public lives and that line has been crossed by the Aquino family. Unfortunately for ABS-CBN, some wags and memes now refer to it as the “Aquino Broadcast Station.” Now it can be told, they say, ABS-CBN is indeed the official mouthpiece of the Aquinos, whether they are in and out of Malacañang. Ricky Carandang and Manolo Quezon need not explain their not-so-secret allegiance that we have known all along even before Day One of the P-Noy presidency.

Perhaps in an attempt to create the impression of “balanced news,” Kris and the three sisters in submissive tow also trooped to Jessica Soho’s show in rival GMA 7. But Soho proved to be more adept at asking the question: Did Kris really threaten James Yap of the powers of the presidency? Kris was evasive. So make your own conclusions.

And then the ultimate announcement: “I have to make a sacrifice. I don’t want to be selfish…. I am sacrificing my career and work for a simple and quiet life with Bimby,” or so she says to a surprisingly meek Ted Failon (“Looked like he was interviewing Teresa of Calcutta or the Blessed Virgin herself!” observed a writer). Goodness gracious! Was this Pope Benedict XVI, as if saying:  “Hear ye, hear ye, tell me that you don’t want me to resign”? But no, it was Kris indeed, and it wasn’t her first threat to leave the country. The first was when she said she would live in the United States once her brother became president. Well, until now she is still here.

Come on, Kris, we are not idiots to be taken for a ride. We beg of you—we would rather that you take your words seriously. The Philippines will be in a better state without the dirty linens from your love affairs. Thanks but no thanks, we are in a better state without you making a fool of us or of yourself on prime time TV.

As of now, Kris’ resignation from ABS-CBN has not been deemed irrevocable. What can you say? Asked by Failon if she was leaving show business for good, she didn’t answer directly, saying “forever” was too big a word. We can understand why she once said she will run for senator in 2016. Even before 2016, she is already behaving like one—doing things to get people’s attention.

But for many, Kris in tears is all déjà vu. Remember her episode during her mother’s presidency? She made a teary confession to her that she was having an affair with a married Philip Salvador. The next episode in 2003 showed her making another teary confession that she was afflicted with STD from her love affair with another married man, Joey Marquez. Who’s next? Do we need an Elizabeth Taylor for this country to be amused?

What does the President of the Philippines have to say on this: “Baka nakalimutan mo, may three years pa yung brother ko. Nakita mo ba kung nasaan na yung mga ex ko ngayon—wala nang mga career. Baka ganun gawin ko sa ’yo. Isang iyak ko lang sa TV maniniwala na sa akin yung mga tao.” Really, Kris? Is that how your brother’s presidency has gone to your head?

Referencing the euphoria over the announcement of the recent election of a new pope, some Tweeters are having a field day with the presidential sister: There’s a white smoke coming out of ABS-CBN. May kapalit na si Kris Aquino! Take the back seat Nora Aunor and Angel Locsin, some said. What a difficult time this must be for Cory Aquino’s children—to come to grips with a distressing realization that, after all, there is no such thing as an eternal sense of indebtedness for them.

But thank you Kris Aquino: (1) for successfully pushing the Sabah issue and the coming elections into the back seat of media attention; (2) for hiding your brother’s cultural ignorance of the Sultanate of Sulu; (3) for showing us that nothing is private anymore, even if governance secrets are intentionally concealed by the absence of a Freedom of Information Law; and (4) for exhibiting how fast OB (outside broadcast) vans can be mobilized for the “buzz” instead of the gross incompetence of your brother’s administration.

Meanwhile, enjoy the crisp and cool air of Paris Spring.