Liza Marcos Receives Early Birthday Surprise from Kris Aquino and Her Sons at Malacañang

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was pleasantly surprised with an early birthday celebration when Kris Aquino and her children, Bimby and Joshua, visited her at the presidential residence in Malacañang. The occasion was marked by a photo shared by Liza on Facebook, showing the group posing with four birthday cakes arranged on a cart.

In the photo, Kris Aquino and her son Joshua, who placed his hands on Liza’s shoulders, were both dressed in yellow, a color historically associated with the Liberal Party and the political opposition to the Marcos family. This detail is notable given the longstanding political rivalry between the Aquino and Marcos families.

Liza expressed her gratitude for the thoughtful gesture, describing the surprise as heartwarming and saying she felt very blessed. The First Lady’s birthday falls on August 21, which coincides with the anniversary of the assassination of Kris Aquino’s father, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., at Manila International Airport. Ninoy Aquino’s death was a pivotal event that ignited the EDSA People Power Revolution, leading to the ouster of the Marcos regime.

The historical context adds significance to the interaction, as Kris Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, ran against Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the contentious 1986 snap elections. Despite this fraught political history, Kris Aquino has maintained a friendly relationship with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, whom she regards as extended family.

This familial connection is through Liza’s aunt, Demetria Sumulong, who married Kris Aquino’s maternal grandfather, Don Jose “Pepe” Cojuangco. This link has helped bridge the divide between the two families, fostering personal ties beyond political differences.

Kris Aquino’s recent return to the Philippines after years of medical treatment abroad has seen a renewal of her friendship with Liza. Prior to her own return, Kris had asked her children, who had come back earlier, to visit the First Lady. Since then, Kris and Liza have shared lunches and occasional gatherings, signaling a warming of relations that contrasts with their families’ historical rivalry.

The early birthday surprise at Malacañang highlights this evolving dynamic, illustrating how personal relationships can transcend political legacies. Liza’s public acknowledgment of the gesture and the shared moments between the Aquino children and the First Lady underscore a notable chapter in the ongoing narrative between these prominent Philippine families.