Kris Aquino reveals she now has nine autoimmune diseases

MANILA, Philippines — Former television host and actress Kris Aquino revealed that she now has a total of nine autoimmune diseases. In an Instagram update on Wednesday, Aquino disclosed that she is suffering from Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, EGPA (Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis), Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Polymyositis, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Kris Aquino INSTAGRAM PHOTO/KRIS AQUINOShe emphasized that she has been largely confined to her "safe zone bubble" in Bonifacio Global City due to numerous food, medicinal, and environmental allergies. Exposure to sunlight is also strictly prohibited. Despite her condition, Aquino remains hopeful and determined. "Please don't give up? The odds are against my survival, but I have faith in the power of prayer. Jesus healed so many. Autoimmune has no cure. But I still believe the Holy Spirit will guide my doctors. And I don't break my promises, I said I'd return for you to watch me — I am hoping to be strong enough before Mother's Day," she shared. "I will be so happy thanking all of you for being #TeamKris. For Kuya and Bimb, for those who show genuine concern and continue praying, I promise #bawalsumuko #tuloyanglaban," Aquino added. She also expressed excitement about her son Bimby's future, saying she looks forward to meeting his first girlfriend. "Bimb's got me, but it's not fair to expect him to always be by my side. I'm excited to meet whoever his first girlfriend will be, there's someone I really like for him – but when you push too much it's already meddling. I am praying he will end up with someone smart, articulate, kindhearted, pretty, loving, with a mom I'll get along with, and most of all someone who will love my son equal to the love she has for herself," she said. The 54-year-old also reflected on her past relationship with Dr. Michael Padlan and shared that it was her "last chance to love" but recognized that her feelings were not equally reciprocated. "Why did I say that? Because I've experienced seeing myself through another's eyes, and that woman wasn't me. I've always been self-assured but illnesses with minimum options to go into remission, I started losing my confidence. And I became very dependent on a man who already had too much and too many people to take care of. I would prefer to believe we really did love each other, I'm realistic enough to accept with the rate my health is deteriorating, that relationship with Doc Mike was my last chance to love," Aquino added. According to her, she had high expectations for their future together. "As my autoimmune diseases multiplied, the more he retreated. After a very stressful time when we returned home, I forgave and I fought hard for our relationship, while he couldn't forget and gave up on us. Nobody should be blamed, I'm not ashamed to admit, I was the one who loved and needed more," she mentioned. "Please notice — I spoke only for myself, I cannot speak for Doc Mike. But I do accept and understand that I loved him much more than he was capable of loving me," she stated. Aquino recently shared videos documenting her struggles with a lupus flare, showing visible bruises, red spots on her face, and a fever reaching 38.5 degrees Celsius. She expressed her desire for the public to witness her battle, emphasizing that she wants people to understand the strength it takes to endure such an illness. "This is my now... I wanted you to see the pain and struggle so that you will continue to pray. I have a lupus flare fever now. It's been more than two weeks," she wrote. In February, Aquino made her first public appearance in months at the People Asia People of the Year 2025 awards night to support designer Michael Leyva.