Kris bawal maging mahina

Despite TV news programs carrying screaming headlines that former President Cory Aquino is showing signs of progress, taliwas ito sa ibinalita ng anak na si Kris.

In an interview by Startalk, ani Kris: ‘‘Well, I wish, I wish I could say that, but no. It’s not that she’s recovering. Kami sa family, we accept na it’s really all in God’s hands.’’

While most of us will interpret it as resignation, nakatu­tuwang isipin na nasisiyahan nang labis si Tita Cory sa tuwing mapapanood niya sa TV ang serye ng mga misa para sa kanya. Ikinowt ni Kris ang sambit ng ina: ‘‘The mass for me is the place to be.’’

Serye ng healing mass and novena iyon, a session that also recently took place right inside Tita Cory’s hospital suite. Kuwento ni Kris, kelan lang ay dumalaw ang family friend nilang si Bishop Soc Villegas who laid his hand on her sick mother. Malamig ang kapaligiran sa buong silid, pero makaraan daw ng tatlumpung minuto until the next two to three hours, namangha sila nang makitang pinagpapawisan ang dating pinuno ng bansa.

Then smile was written all over Tita Cory’s face, na anila’y gumaan ang pakiramdam.

Isa sa mga nakaantig-damdaming rebelasyon ni Kris ay ang pagpapamalas pa rin ng kanyang ina ng buong lakas sa kabila ng pinagdaraanan nitong physical at emotional pain. Kris couldn’t help but recount how her mom has made life easy for them, kahit noong pinaslang pa raw ang kabiyak na si Ninoy. Tita Cory constantly assured that the family was alright.

This also explains why Kris cannot afford to give up the fight. Kahit pa kasi ang mga pinaghalong sakit ng kalooban, puyat, at pagod sa trabaho are no match to what her mom is going through.

Ani Kris, base raw sa nakasanayan ng kanyang ina: “Bawal ang kahinaan sa kanya.’’ Ito rin ang pilit na pinapraktis ni Kris even on TV where she needs to project joy instead of sorrow, strength instead of weakness. Dito raw bilib sa kanya ang mga kapatid.

Sey niya: ‘‘Kung hindi ito yung naging profession ko, hindi ko kakayanin. Sabi ng mga sisters ko sa akin, ‘You’re the strongest kasi you’re so used to facing difficult situations. Kung kami ’yan, hindi kami haharap, hindi kami magsasalita. Pero in your case, because of your training, kahit ano yung nararamdaman mo sa loob, haharap ka, ngingiti ka.’’’

Recently on Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN), naabutan ko si Kris exchanging a hearty banter with Boy Abunda. One would instantly inquire, ito ba yung may nanay na may sakit? Bakit nakukuha pang bumungingis ni Kris?

If only for Kris’s quaint behavior, nun ko lang din na-realize that she’s a real artist, one who does not allow her personal burden get in the way of her profession.

As the hackneyed expression goes… the show, as well as Showbiz News Ngayon, must go on.