17 October 28-November 3, 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
Kris Aquino engaged to former DILG secretary Mel Sarmiento
Yes, Maria Clara, Kris Aquino is now engaged. Manila media splurged with the news about the Queen of All Media and presidential daughter saying she was ready to become the better half of former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Mel Sarmiento! On Instagram, Kris also shared a nearly oneminute video showing the two of them looking all cute while teasing each other. The actress shared on Instagram that while she is proud to be an Aquino, she is looking forward to becoming a Sarmiento. She also penned a lengthy caption dedicated to her fiancé. “To my best friend and the man I said yes to spending the rest of my life with, thank you for, as Bimb said, loving me for me, with no agenda, and for being just an overall good and patient man,” she said as reported by GMA Network, ABS-CBN and other media outlets. “It’s unreal how much more calm [and] peaceful I feel now that you’re here,” she added. “As much as I am proud to be an Aquino, looking forward na akong maging Sarmiento Kris also took the time to remember her brother, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III whom she believes is their “matchmaker in heaven who must be smiling now.” “It’s been exactly four months since we so unexpectedly lost our brother. Sure ako, ayaw niya talagang iwanan si bunso na walang magbabantay at mag-aalaga na siguradong pinagkakatiwalaan niya,” she said. “I can almost hear his voice telling me, ‘Kristina, tama na, respect the fact na gusto ni Mel ng tahimik na buhay.’ And finally, bunso has learned to obey,” she added. “We discussed this post and I thought about it carefully… marami kasi sa followers ko ang nagtatanong kung kamusta na ko because matagal na kong nawala,” she wrote in the caption. “Aamin ako i’m only 95 pounds now. this pan-
20015 to 2016. Sarmiento was the third and final DILG secretary under former President Aquino’s term, replacing Mar Roxas, who had tendered his resignation to focus on his presidential campaign, ABS-CBN reported. Prior to his stint with the Aquino administration, Sarmiento was secretary general of the Liberal Party, the late president’s political party. From 2010 to 2015, Sarmiento was congressman of Western Samar. Before joining the House of Representatives, he was the vice mayor and later mayor of Calbayog City, until he ran for a congressional seat. To end her post, Aquino said they have agreed that “what’s personal shall remain private” so she could not share anything more, with one exception. “Except I guess to say as much as i am proud to be an Aquino, looking forward na kong maging Sarmiento,” she said. Aquino was formerly married to basketball star James Yap. They had a civil wedding in 2005. demic and many stressful events that happened They welcomed Bimby two years later in 2007. since mid August really caused my weight to drop They separated in 2010, and their marriage was & my health to suffer,” she added. nullified two years later in 2012. According to Kris, she and Mel would never have met if it weren’t for Noynoy. As such, she can’t help but thank him for still making sure that she and her kids, Josh and Bimb, are okay. “You must have known how broken I’d be to lose you, so you made sure there was someone who not only helped wipe away my tears, he’s made it possible for me to smile and laugh again,” she said. “Dumating nung hindi ko hinahanap o inaasahan—kaya nga tama silang lahat na nagsabi in God’s perfect time,” she added. “I can almost hear his voice telling me, ‘Kristina, tama na, respect the fact na gusto ni Mel ng tahimik na buhay.’ And finally, ‘bunso’ has learned to obey,” she said. Kris revealed the identity of her mystery man in August, when he left a comment on one of her posts. Mel served as the DILG secretary from
