Kris Aquino Opens Up About Painful Failed Treatments on 17th Anniversary of Mother Cory’s Death

Kris Aquino reflected on the 17th anniversary of her mother, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s death, sharing the physical and emotional toll of her ongoing battle with autoimmune diseases. In an Instagram post on August 1, 2026, Kris revealed the severe leg pain she has endured due to recent unsuccessful treatments, expressing a heartfelt hope that her sons will not experience losing their mother as she did.

Kris acknowledged that while her family has intellectually accepted Cory Aquino’s passing, the emotional impact remains profound. She wrote that witnessing her mother’s suffering made accepting her death possible, but the memory of someone cherished can never truly fade. Cory Aquino died on August 1, 2009, at age 76, from complications related to advanced colorectal cancer.

This year, Kris and her sons commemorated Cory’s death anniversary in their own ways. Her son Josh visited their grandmother’s grave at Manila Memorial Park, while her other son, Bimby, left the “Eat Bulaga” 47th anniversary celebration early to be by Kris’s side during another treatment session. Kris described the support from her sons as a source of strength amid her health struggles.

In her post, Kris candidly shared the agony she has faced, describing nights spent crying until dawn due to intense pain extending from above her knee down to the soles of her feet. She admitted that the pain was so severe she broke her personal rule and sobbed in Bimby’s arms. She emphasized that no child, especially those raised by a single parent, should have to witness their parent’s suffering, as the burden of worry belongs to the parent.

Kris also reaffirmed her commitment to fight her illness for the sake of her sons. She promised them she would continue battling her conditions until the end, despite the setbacks and failed treatments. Her next immunosuppressant infusion was scheduled for the Wednesday following her post, a treatment she described as gentler than chemotherapy.

Concluding her message, Kris asked her late mother to continue watching over her, mentioning her two tall sons who pray daily and believe in the power of answered prayers. This personal appeal highlighted the ongoing role Cory Aquino plays in Kris’s life as a source of comfort and guidance.

Earlier this year, Kris also marked the fifth death anniversary of her brother, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, by visiting his tomb at Manila Memorial Park. Despite her health challenges, Kris has been active professionally, recently meeting with ABS-CBN record producer Jonathan Manalo to discuss a potential onscreen comeback, though details about the project remain undisclosed.