Kris Aquino appeals to James: Stop using son for publicity

Actress-television host Kris Aquino has launched another rant against her former husband basketball star James Yap to stop using their son Bimby for publicity.

"James Yap - stop using Bimb for publicity, most especially when you are opening a BAR! That is the wrong venue to be discussing your relationship (or in this case lack of one) with your son," said Aquino in lengthy Facebook post.

"The proper thing to do would have been to answer, 'THIS ISN'T THE CORRECT VENUE TO DISCUSS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY SON AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD RESPECT OUR PRIVACY," she said.

"I have had so many presscons and launches over the years and in the past few months- but it seems there is so much more going on in my life that the subject of James Yap has rarely come up; and for the sake of Bimb's well-being I made the conscious effort to put the past behind.

"YOU HAVEN'T EXERTED EFFORT TO GET TO KNOW HIM, SPEND TIME WITH HIM, MUCH LESS CONSISTENTLY CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO HIS NEEDS (the last time you "shared" for tuition was when Bimb was in 2nd grade- 3 full years ago, I have let that be since God has more than adequately been generous with us and I believe that a father's financial responsibility should naturally come from his heart.) I maintained communication lines with Mic because she tried to get to know both Bimb and Kuya Josh, and had simple, yet genuinely thoughtful gestures for them. Can you honestly say that you tried to become closer to Bimb?

"Hindi kita ginugulo. Binigyan ko ng respeto ang bago mong partner na si Mic- napakahirap bang bigyan mo rin ng respeto ang anak natin at huwag mo na siyang gamitin para mapag-usapan ang bago mong negosyo? Naiintindihan ko na hindi maiiwasan na matanong ka tungkol kay Bimb, pero hindi mahirap ang tumangging sumagot alang-alang na lang sa kapakanan ng bata.

"Parenting isn't a competition, it should be cooperation- even if we are already long annulled as a couple. I was far from being a perfect wife, but I know I am a loving, responsible, involved, and devoted mother.

"DO NOT PLAY THE VICTIM AGAIN - because a man who walked away with millions from an annulment settlement from a marriage that lasted just 4 years can never be a victim especially when he is portraying a 10 year old boy as the one at "fault" in not liking him and making him feel na 'magsasawa ka at masasaktan ka lang," the businesswoman said.

Yap opened a gastropub called District 8 Manila in Greenhills, San Juan which is also co-owned by ace comedian Vice Ganda and actor Daniel Padilla.

The basketball player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters also answered some of the allegations of the netizens who bashed him on social media.

"Kung ikaw ang nagbabayad ng tuition tapos biglang nilipat ng school na hindi mo alam, matutuwaa ka ba?" said Yap in response to a netizen on issue of tuition.

"Salamat sa advice. effort? Ginawa ko na lahat yan," told Yap to another basher.

Aquino said: "Money isn't the issue with me- but voluntarily contributing to your son's needs regardless of how successful his mother is would show him that you are a stand up guy- regardless if it is P1,000 or P5,000 a month. Whether we like it or not, fathers are still expected to be providers.

"And it doesn't put you in the most responsible light when your social media feed shows you attending art exhibits and showcasing your extensive art collection and having the capital to invest in a big restaurant-bar, yet since you did bring it up- the New Year's Eve that Bimb was in your care and had to be rushed to the hospital- was there even an offer to help pay for any of his medication? I am merely being factual - and in this instance TRUTH HURTS," she also said.

"I have said what was needed to be said. And I shall say nothing further because frankly, MASAYA ANG TAHIMIK NA BUHAY - pero napakatanga ko na kung hahayaan ko na naman na magpa-apak kami sa mga walang katotohanang paninira na pagsusuriing maigi eh napakaklarong paghuhugas-kamay lamang sa mga personal na pagkukulang," Aquino added.

This developed as author Kevin Kwan has confirmed that Aquino would be part of the Hollywood movie "Crazy Rich Asians."

Aquino then thanked Kwan for his kind words.

"Thank you Kevin Kwan for CONFIRMING my role in #CRAZYRICHASIANS! THANK YOU for the kind words you had to say 'I have a soft spot for her... She is Kris Aquino, what else is there to say?...'Most of all THANK YOU for loving the Philippines and Filipinos. The feeling is definitely reciprocal!" said Aquiino on Instagram. - ROBERT REQUINTINA