TV host, actress and major endorser Kris Aquino heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthday during the love month of February.
Born Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino on February 14, 1971; Kris is the youngest daughter of the late Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. She is the sister of current President Benigno S. Aquino.
Kris stepped into the limelight after the 1986 People Power revolution, which removed then President Ferdinand Marcos from power. She became a regular guest in TV dramas and comedies, as well as talk shows. Her first film was with the late actor-comedian Rene Requiestas in the comedy Pido Dida. The movie was a box-office hit and made Kris a star.
Although she had made a number of other serious movies like The Fatima Buen Story (in which was nominated for Best Actress) and Vizconde Massacre, many have criticized her acting skills. Later on, when her movie career slowed down, Kris shifted to television as a talk show host in Kris. However, her hosting skills only started to attract attention when she co-hosted Startalk with Boy Abunda and Lolit Solis.
With her wit and candor on-cam, Kris became a popular fixture on TV. Her other shows include Today with Kris Aquino, Morning Girls with Kris and Korina (with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez), The Buzz, Pilipinas, Game KNB?, Philippines of game shows like Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune, Showbiz News Ngayon and Boy & Kris. At present, she is the host of the successful KrisTV and Aquino & Abunda Tonight.
Kris has also bounced back into becoming a commercial success in her movies such as Feng Shui, Feng Shui 2 and Sisterakas.
Aside from her success on TV and film, Kris is also one of the most trusted product endorsers in the Philippines.
She has two sons, Joshua (with actor Philip Salvador) and Bimby (with former husband, cager James Yap).
Other personalities celebrating their birthday this February are:
February 1 – Fashion stylist, hairdresser and designer Fanny Serrano;
February 2 – Registered nurse Alma Bernabe Roxas;
February 3 – ABS-CBN 2 Managing Director for Star Cinema Malou Santos;
February 4 – ABS-CBN 2 Senior Vice President and Star Magic Talent Manager Johnny Manahan;
February 5 – Concert King Martin Nievera, GMA 7 actor Luis Alandy, and Daly City community leader Mario Panoringan;
February 6 – LuzViMin of the Bay Area president Ora Seyler, actor Eddie Gutierrez, and entertainment producer/veteran actress Daisy Romualdez;
February 7 – Former Mr. RP-USA Willard Torres of Hayward;
February 8 – Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and Dr. John Gabordo of Gilroy;
February 9 – GMA 7 actress Heart Evangelista, and Star Cinema actor/dancer John Prats;
February 10 – Ballroom dancer Jose “Joe” de Guzan, San Francisco tailor Gil Rivera, and former medical assistant Ricky Umali;
February 11 – GMA 7 multi-awarded actress Lovi Poe, and actress/TV host Jackielou Blanco;
February 12 – Retired engineer from Concord Manny Sarmiento;
February 13 – Daly City real estate broker Carmelita “Lita” Celimen;
February 14 – Mr. Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno, actress Roxanne Guinoo, and Yellow Taxi executive Eve de Mesa;
February 15 – PBA cager James Yap;
February 17 – Box Office Queen and TV host Anne Curtis;
February 18 – Hollywood stage actress and now a TV5 talent Glenda Kennedy, and TV host Bernadette Sembrano;
February 20 – Actress Christine Reyes;
February 21 – Fil-Am business executive Sean Rennock;
February 22 – International singer and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and TV5 Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante;
February 23 – Real estate agent Ramon “Monching” Bunag;
February 25 – Asia’s fashion czar Jose “Pitoy” Moreno;
February 26 – Actress Assunta de Rossi, veteran actress Chanda Romero, and equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski;
February 27 – International recording star Josh Groban, well-liked dentist and singing tenor Dr. Narciso “Tito” Yusi, Roco Medical Clinic administrator and civic leader Bernadette Munoz Roco, and Navy pilot Michael Back;
To all celebrants, happy birthday and to all my readers, advanced Happy Valentine’s Day.