MANILA, Philippines — Television host Kris Aquino broke her silence Friday on the controversy surrounding remarks made about her eldest son, Josh Aquino, on the “Machong Chismisan” podcast, explaining why she chose not to publicly respond while revealing that she is facing new health challenges.
In a lengthy social media post, Aquino said she had stopped giving regular health updates because she was afraid of sharing the latest developments, including concerning test results and another autoimmune disease that was causing frightening symptoms.
“Many of you may have wondered why I gave no statement to what were irresponsible and uninformed opinions. A friend who I admire for his wisdom told me there are people I should learn not to give oxygen to, in other words ignore and the issue dies a natural death. By never stating their names, or my feelings, they didn’t get the word war from me they were expecting,” Aquino wrote.
The controversy drew outpouring of support for Josh, who is on the autism spectrum, from the family’s friends and disability advocates.
The Pod Network also announced that it had terminated its contract with “Machong Chismisan,” removing the show from its network effective immediately.
Kris shares health update
In the same post, Aquino gave a glimpse of the health challenges she has been facing, explaining that she had completed work commitments without revealing that she would undergo an operation afterward.
“I have stopped giving you health updates because I’ve been afraid — there are not so great numbers and can you believe a new autoimmune disease that’s exhibiting scary symptoms. I finished all the work without ever revealing that immediately after I’d have an operation,” she wrote.
She thanked the doctors and nurses at Makati Medical Center for respecting her privacy during her hospital visit.
“The sutures aren’t out yet, but as soon as they are, time for my 3rd infusion of a biologic immunosuppressant that has helped,” she said.
Aquino also thanked those who continued to pray for her and send messages of encouragement, explaining that periods of silence on her social media accounts often reflected the severity of her condition.
“Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. If I don’t post, I am in so much pain that I’m bedridden for 5 days, or if you don’t see reels — that’s the sign, I am in need of more prayers,” she wrote.
She shared photos documenting some of her activities in recent months, including her hospital visit and brand endorsement shoots.
Despite her health struggles, Aquino said she continued to draw strength from her late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, recalling how she had witnessed her mother prepare the family for life without her.
“I don’t want to add to your burdens, I’ve read you admire my strength, that’s because I witnessed what our mom went through to prepare us, for life without her. I was 38 when she joined our maker,” she wrote.
Aquino said her younger son, Bimby, still needed more time to prepare for his lifelong responsibility of caring for his older brother.
“Bimb still needs more years to be ready for his lifelong responsibility of taking care of his kuya Josh. That’s why ang mama nila hindi pa pwedeng isuko ang laban,” she added. (That is why their mother cannot give up the fight just yet.)
Kris explains Josh’s role at home
Aquino also addressed Josh’s daily life, explaining that her eldest son continues to help care for her despite the challenges brought by her condition.
“I haven’t felt the need to share with you what happens in our home. But to set the record straight, kuya is with me during our afternoon siesta, although mine stretches to 4 hours. When he sees Bimb going to his computer, kuya knows it’s his shift,” she wrote.
She described the comfort she finds in Josh’s presence, particularly when she is resting.
“And he loves to say: Mama your shoulder’s here. I sleep best with my head resting on Kuya’s shoulder and my arms wrapped around his left arm. It’s difficult because he can’t move but Monday to Friday kuya Josh does his share to take care of his mama,” she said.
Her post was a respond to the podcast discussion, in which the hosts made disparaging remarks about Josh and questioned his behavior. One host reportedly called him “walang kwenta,” or useless, while another made comments about his reported daily school allowance.
The remarks drew criticism from viewers and disability advocates, who said a person’s disability should never be used as a source of ridicule.
