Kris Aquino, nakasama sa birthday lunch sina Pres. Marcos at FL Liza Araneta-Marcos
Kris Aquino attended a belated 55th birthday lunch on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Bahay Pangulo in MalacaƱang Palace, hosted by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. making a brief appearance. The event was organized by fashion designer Michael Leyva, a mutual friend of Kris and the First Lady, who prepared a homecooked meal. The lunch marked Kris's first visit to MalacaƱang since 2016 during her brother President Noynoy Aquino's term, and her actual birthday was February 14.
President Marcos joined the lunch briefly to greet Kris, take photos, and compliment her appearance, marking their first meeting in 31 years since working on a TV show together in the 1990s. Both being children of former presidents, they shared a warm interaction. The President's appearance was described as a surprise guest moment, with the two greeting each other warmly despite their families' historical political differences.
Kris Aquino and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are related through the Araneta and Cojuangco families, with Araneta-Marcos's aunt married to Kris's uncle. This family connection facilitated the invitation and gathering. The lunch followed prior social interactions between Kris and the First Lady, including Michael Leyva's birthday celebration in October 2025 and Kris's sons' visit to MalacaƱang in July 2024.
The event occurred as Kris continues to battle nine autoimmune diseases that have limited her public appearances. She recently finished hospital treatment and plans to launch a video podcast. The intimate gathering symbolized a rare connection between the Marcos and Aquino families, two of the Philippines' most prominent political dynasties, and was widely covered by Philippine media as a notable social and political reconciliation moment.
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