MANILA, Philippines — Social media buzzed over the weekend after photos surfaced of Kris Aquino and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcossitting side by side during fashion designer Michael Leyva’s birthday lunch.
The two, whose families have long been considered political rivals, appeared together at the intimate celebration hosted for Leyva, who designs clothes for both women.
Photos of the lunch spread online after guests posted images from the event.
Designer Patrick Rosas shared a picture with the caption, “Celebrate today. It’s a special day. Cheers to life @michaelleyva.”
Meanwhile? businessman Ace Nava wrote, “For today — with The Aquino [yellow heart emoji] and The Marcos [red heart emoji] Different colors, one good day.”
Event host Justin Dizon described the pair as “ladies who lunch.”
According to veteran showbiz writer Dindo Balares, a close friend of Aquino, the event was more than just a birthday celebration but also a charity lunch organized by Aquino for Leyva. In his post titled “What Kris Will Do for a Friend,” Balares praised Aquino’s loyalty and generosity despite her ongoing health battles.
“Kris Aquino’s life has always been public — her joys magnified, her pains dissected. But backstage, behind the spectacle, she is calm yet steadfast,” Balares wrote
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He recalled how Aquino once arranged for medical staff to visit his home when he got sick during the pandemic.
“Stay at home, Kuya Dindo, don’t go to the emergency room in any hospital or else we might meet again in heaven!” she told him.
Balares said Aquino remains thoughtful even while struggling with multiple autoimmune diseases.
“Every day he’s my good morning Ate,” Aquino said of Leyva.
“And he always says ‘po’ — it must be how he was brought up. My mom and dad love my two boys. They always invite us to stay with them so we can have company and they can help take care of me,” she added.
Balares continued his post, “It is not vanity but loyalty that moves Kris: the impulse to honor a friend’s goodness and to amplify what is kind and true. Those who know her understand that Kris’s friendship carries weight. Her unwavering support for Michael Leyva is more than personal affection; it has become a living endorsement of integrity and heart.”
After the event, Aquino reportedly told Balares, “Even if all my bones are crying now from so much pain, I know I made Michael happy.”
Balares ended his post saying, “Her act reveals not vanity but valor — a deep inner resolve to use her remaining energy not for pity, but for kindness. It’s a quiet sermon in motion: that compassion is the truest form of beauty.”