arch 21, 13:39:53. I received a text message, which turned my Holy Monday upside down. “Can you do Kris Aquino article for S Mag as a cover story for our May issue?”

In my extreme excitement, I texted back, “Yes,” without a second thought. I have completely forgotten that I don't belong to the league of Ronald Constantino or Ricky Lo who could do justice to such a big assignment.

But fanatics will do everything even the impossible, just to meet their idols up close. That explains my instant acceptance.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

TASK 1 – Get the number of talent manager. That's Deo Endrinal . The whole day, I called up ABS-CBN for an easier access, but the one given to me by S Mag just kept on ringing. I was not successful. But before I declared my day off, I was able to talk to the soft-spoken Kris' manager. He sounded so apologetic, to say that an interview with Ms. Kris may be next to impossible because she took her Holy Week respite. By the time she comes back, she would be facing a very tight schedule. But Mr. Endrinal got my name and contact number… just in case…

Task 2 – There was no return call, so I had to check. That time, I faxed a skeletal but vital questions for my subject – perhaps those that don't require an effort to think for answers. Knowing how articulate Kris is, I had my piece as good as done.

Again, there was no response. But I clearly understood. Anyway, I told myself there is always a next time. “Hope springs eternal,” right?

Task 3 – I relayed my predicament to the editor and told him about my Plan B. I will still make the piece. After all, I have seen Kris one of her tapings, read so much of her, watched her films and TV shows, and heard what people say about her. What's my being a fan for?

Incidentally, one of the high school principals of Manila who is an avid Kris follower asked if she could tag along during my scheduled interview (perhaps that was the reason why the interview didn't push through). When she called up to know just exactly when I'd be doing the pictorials and all, she sounded more frustrated than I was. “Mam,” I said. “Ang puso mo.” She sighed and groaned like a dying swan, to think that she is a veritable goldmine of Kris trivia. In fact, she was the one who shared with me offhand, these little details:

Full name: Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino

Birthdate: 14 February 1971

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Father's Name: Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino

Mother's Name: Corazon “Cory” Aquino

Sister's Name: Maria Elena Cruz, Aurora Corazon Abellada, Victoria Eliza Dee

Brother's Name: Benigno Aquino III

Academic Background

Grade School: Poveda Learning Center

High School: Colegio De San Agustin

College: Ateneo de Manila University (English Literature)

Favorites

TV Shows: Dawson 's Creek, Charmed, Ally McBeal, Friends, Felicity

Food: Japanese and Filipino cuisine

Cartoon Characters: Hello Kitty, Elmo & Barney for Josh

FEARLESS

TASK 4 – How does one paint a profile of Kris Aquino? Let me count the ways…

Intentionally or now, she would turn her bare, bare back towards the camera, the better for the lens to feast on the flawless skin and “new” contour…

And co-host Boy Abunda would cajole “O, Krissie, bakit ka parating nakatalikod sa camera?” Kris' “dare-me-smile” is the answer. Perfecting the subtle art of teasing? It looks like only Kris would get away with it – with finesse – and touch of humor, definitely.

Or Cristy Fermin , the other co-host would hint that any moment in the show the “Star of The Buzz” would drop another bombshell that would outbomb that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – especially about her lovelife. Dare? And the reasonant laughter textured with the right amount of derring-do's would make The Buzz viewers glued on their seats and anticipate for more shock waves.

The acts of his former Presidential daughter would raise arched eyebrows to high heavens and cause Babelian tounges to wag. But her mass appeal lies in her “misdemeanors” and talent. Any “Kapamilya” or “Kapuso” would hardly disagree. These sustain her endearing image to fans who are the reasons why she holds this year's Box-Office Queen title and numerous Best TV Host plums (mostly from PMPC's Star Awards for TV).

Do you still remember the classic pronouncements on national TV about the STD case dn the “Tinutukan mo ako” issue? She looked straight at the camera and said, “You don't have the balls!”

Que horror! Que barbaridad! The alta-sosyedad made the sign of the cross in mock horror.

“Anak pa naman ng presidente at ng isang bayani,” the purists, the hypocrites, the holier than thou chorused… as if the royalties, the rich and the famous were alien to such mundane indiscretions.

MULTI-MEDIA STAR

PRODUCT endorsements pile up – from phone (Smart), food (Purefoods Chunky Corned Beef), to cosmetics (Sansan), among others. This proves Kris' reputation remains unblemished and unaffected as far as marketability is concerned. The Chunkie corned beef, for example, gives us a glimpse of family approval rating with “Natagpuan ko na siya. Tiyak na magugustuhan nina Mommy at Kuya.” Is this a post- Joey Marquez and Mark Lapid ad? If so, that was a clever integration of solid family values and sheer commercialism.

In movies, producers and directors line up for her services. Despite criticisms she received in her previous movie appearances, she could command a huge box-office attendance simply by being Kris Aquino. Her Pido dida series with the late Rene Requiestas established her as a bankable star. Critics were quick at her being born comic regarded as stereotype, until the likes of Fatima Buen under the tutelage of respected directed Mario O' Hara came and Kris has transformed into a sensitive drama star, since then.

Her maturity as an actress was highlighted in the first Mano Po movie, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2002 – her first movie after long years of absence on the big screen. Her performance in the said movie directed by Joel Lamangan earned her numerous best supporting actress trophies and nominations from different award-giving bodies. Along with the recognition of being a competent actress, Kris has a very strong box-office draw that moviegoing public troop to watch her film sand proof of this is her box –office success of her two movie last year, Feng Shui and So… Happy Together .

On television, Kris has become a staple figure with her numerous toprating shows at the Kapamilya Network where she remains to be the (undeclared) queen: the game show Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba? ; the soap Hiram ; and the showbiz talk show The Buzz . Hiram is scheduled to end this month and talks have it that Kris will reunite with Korina Sanchez in a new show.

LIVING FABULOUSLY

HOW about in the department?

Kris is known to be open with her lovelife – too often, to a fault, some say. But one could not falsify an honest person.

That TV Patrol interview with Korina Sanchez said it all: “Marami akong kasalanan. I'm not perfect. But I'm not a liar.”

She has been linked romantically to a number of gorgeous basketball hunks – Alvin Patrimonio and Rommel Adducul (reportedly her current boyfriend). Were these real? She was also quoted as lavish in her praises for Barako Boy Christian Vasquez . She would also gamely feel the muscles of her male guests – hard or soft? What does that say of Miss Kris? Nothing. Perhaps just part of showbiz amenities.

If there is anything to admit, Kris would do so. Love scandal – she had had her shared but she bravely weathered the storm and came out wiser, stronger, and richer in terms of financial assets.

Fashion sense? Ah – but of course. Kris has always been a tasteful dresser – what an eye for lively colors! They simply blend wit her vibrant personality. Even her house decors, according to those who are lucky to visit her place, speak of the owner's partiality to color scheme that evokes life's exuberance. Above all, she looks very expensive. Rightfully so, although she was taken to task for flaunting her signature brands and her pieces of jewelry – even at the height of the Hacienda Luisita massacre.

Her household generosity is also legendary. Giving fabulous gifts to friends is another. Offering generous amounts to those in need even to colleagues is well documented by showbiz observers. Her devotion to her only son, Josh, speaks so well of her as a mother.

Colorful Kris doesn't fail to amaze us – she entertains; she shows positive examples; she pricks conscience; she works very hard; she fights, cries, laughs; she loves not too well and bounces back a woman substance.

How I wish I could have a face-to-face encounter with Multi-Media's goddess. I could have said more! With her current status as a premier celebrity, my basic Mathematics tells me that she could rake in at least more than three million a month. In any language, that's a mouth-watering reality.

I could imagine Kris cracking her throaty laughter on her way to the bank – with angelic son, Joshua in tow. (Articles lifted from S Magazine) - -