With P-Noy out… Will Kris run in 2016?

MANILA, Philippines - Kris Aquino hinted again at her possible foray into politics, saying that a life in public office “might be a calling for me.”

The TV host/actress and presidential sister admitted that it’s something that she and her siblings have somewhat discussed, but she clarified that it’s not going to happen in the next national elections in 2016, the year her contract with ABS-CBN is scheduled to expire.

“Politics? Not in 2016. But I’m not taking out the possibility because at some point in your life, you have to give back for the many blessings you’ve received. Pero yun nga, parang pinag-usapan naming mga kapatid ko yun.” (Incidentally, the latest news on Pres. Noynoy Aquino is that he has rejected talks of a second term, and when sought for comment, Kris said that her family is not greedy for power.)

These pronouncements of Kris cropped up during yesterday’s event announcing her new business venture — acquiring a franchise of the fastfood chain Chowking, which she also endorses. It will open next month in Ali Mall, Cubao.

For her to truly feel what it takes to put up a business, Kris proudly noted that she used her hard-earned money to buy the franchise, despite offers from Chowking to make it a part of her endorsement deal in the next two years. “It is my first venture that is not entertainment-related. The capital invested in the business is the profit I made from My Little Bossings,” she said.

According to Kris, she wants to have success apart from entertainment because if ever the time comes for her to plunge into politics, she has more to offer than just her name. “Ayoko na pangalan lang ang puhunan ko.”

Another thing that she wants to get out of it is business acumen. “We’re a developing country, papunta na tayo do’n, nakahanap na tayo ng mga leaders na mga matuwid na mapagkakatiwalaan. So dapat kasabay dun, whether locally or internationally, may business expertise ka talaga. Kung hindi man expertise, at least, hindi ka tatanga tanga sa negosyo. You have to know what the process is like and I went through that. When securing the permit, I really said, no fixers. I really requested, please don’t give me special treatment.”

And because her ABS-CBN contract is ending in 2016, Kris said she’s simply being realistic. “I always tell my sisters, my kids, by 2016, grabe naman yung run that I had. That would have been 30 years (in the industry). So if it (showbiz career) ends there, and a new chapter in my life opens, it’s OK. If it continues, it’s also OK. But what I want is to make sure that I have saved enough to take care of my two sons. Because Bimb will only be nine years old and we all know that Josh needs life-long care. So this is the start,” said Kris, who’s eyeing two more Chowking branches.

Kris got the extra push to do business after her bestfriend and Aquino & Abunda Tonight co-host Boy Abunda survived a health scare. “When Boy got sick, yun talaga ang nagsabi sa akin na we are only as good as our physical bodies and then what if something happens now (knock on wood) to me? And then I’ll be indisposed for several months? What will happen to my children? So, kailangan talaga na meron kang negosyo, negosyo na tatakbo…”

Kris was also asked when she’s going to invest (time and effort) again in her love life. “Maybe, it’s not time because it won’t work. It won’t work with a schedule like this,” explained Kris, who’s set to shoot the Feng Shui sequel with Coco Martin and Cherie Pie Picache in time for the Metro Filmfest in December. “And secondly, who wants a girlfriend who has all these followers on Instagram? Kasi ’di ba, for people to allow you into their lives and into their homes, you have to allow them into your life. So (love life will come) pag hindi ko na kailangan mag-post pa ng mga nangyayari sa buhay ko. Meron akong figures na sinet na if naipon ko na ‘to, I can retire and by retiring, I don’t mean, I’m not gonna work but I can have a private life, konti na lang maabot ko na siya so malapit na. Malapit na yung love life. Hahaha! Ilusyunada lang?”

About the thought of retiring from showbiz some day, she expounded, “I clarified this with my sisters when we were in Japan (recently for Kris TV), because we took a five-hour road trip and we were able to talk about it. I told them that I want the option to be able to walk away while I was on top. Kasi ayaw mo naman na hindi ka na bida, hindi na pangalan mo ang bitbit sa mga programa. You want to leave (showbiz)... with a beautiful legacy. So, I’m preparing for that. I’m preparing financially beause I have an obligation to my kids.”

On the subject of her kids, Kris is happy that Bimby and even Joshua get to spend more quality time with her ex-husband James Yap. Her relationship with James, she added, continues to improve. “I really have to give credit to James’ girlfriend kasi mabait siya (she’s really nice). I think, malaking bagay talaga kung sino yung bagong partner, if she will be good to your child and even to (Josh) because come to think of it, Josh is a stepson and they always include him. So, if you see them happy, it makes things light for me…”

She also felt “super proud” for her son when James conducted a basketball clinic for Bimby and his friends. “Isa yun sa mga pinag-aawayan namin dahil hindi niya ginawa yun two years ago. But now, I’m super happy because I’ve seen the pride in my child… Napakaimportante ng parental figure na lalake.”