Today is the 55th birthday of Kris Aquino. Dubbed as the Philippines’ “Queen of All Media,” Kris has had a well-rounded career that includes television, advertising, and movies. She became a household name not only for her charm but also for her outspokenness.
Aside from her successful hosting career, Kris also had an impressive stint in the Philippine movie industry where she portrayed characters that varied from horror heroines to comedic and elegant socialites. Here are some of her most memorable roles in movies:
Dida of Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo
Kris first gained major recognition in film after starring as Dida opposite her first onscreen partner, Rene Requiestas. She was only 19 years old at the time and then President Corazon Aquino, her mother, was reportedly not initially in favor of her doing a comedy film. The romantic comedy movie was a commercial success where she was named Box-Office Queen in 1991.
Carmela Vizonde of The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us!
From lighthearted romance, Kris transitioned into heavy drama through this true crime film based on the brutal 1991 Vizconde family murder in Parañaque. She portrayed Carmela Vizconde, the 19-year-old daughter who was tragically killed in the highly publicized case.
Juliet Go-Co of Mano Po
In 2002, Kris portrayed Juliet Go-Co in the Filipino Chinese family drama Mano Po. Her performance as a soft-spoken and submissive member of a wealthy clan earned critical recognition and demonstrated her range as a supporting actress. The film became one of the most talked-about dramas of its time.
Joy Ramirez of Feng Shui
In Feng Shui. She played Joy Ramirez, a mother who finds a bagua mirror that is believed to bring fortune. Although fortune seems to follow, a series of unfortunate and bizarre deaths start to plague those who look at the “good luck charm.”
The movie became the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2004 and cemented Kris’s place in the list of horror icons in the country. A sequel, Feng Shui 2, was released in 2014 starring Coco Martin.
Sandy of Sukob
In 2006, Kris starred alongside Claudine Barretto in the superstition-themed thriller Sukob. The movie is based on the Filipino superstition that siblings should not marry within the same year or after a death in the family. Kris played Sandy, a newlywed who starts experiencing terrifying events after unknowingly breaking the superstition. The movie became the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2006.
Stella of Dalaw
An 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Dalaw featured Kris as Stella, a woman who remarried her great love Anton (Diether Ocampo) three years after her first husband's death, however, strange and dangerous events soon unfolded in their new life together. The movie marked another successful entry in the horror-suspense genre for Kris.
Mabel of Segunda Mano
In this 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Kris starred alongside Dingdong Dantes and Angelica Panganiban. She portrayed Mabel, a woman whose secondhand handbag, bought from an ukay-ukay, once belonged to her fiancé’s deceased wife. The story unfolds as supernatural events begin haunting her life.
Roselle Hermosa of Sisterakas
Kris also showcased her versatility in comedy and ensemble films. In Sisterakas, Kris played Roselle Hermosa, the rival of the characters of Vice Ganda and Ai-Ai delas Alas. The movie was a huge box-office success, grossing over ₱283 million in just ten days of its release. Kris later won the Phenomenal Box-Office Star award along with her co-stars in the GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards in 2013.
Georgia in Etiquette for Mistresses
Based on the novel of the same name, the movie starred Kris along with Claudine Barretto, Iza Calzado, Cheena Crab, and Kim Chiu. She played Georgia, the most composed and well-behaved among a group of mistresses, teaching them the “rules” of their complicated lives as the secret lovers.
Princess Intan of Crazy Rich Asians
Kris went global when she starred as Princess Intan in the Hollywood film directed by Jon M. Chu, which was based on Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel. Although her stint was short, it caused a stir in the Philippines and was generally seen as a moment to be proud of for Filipino viewers. She was part of an international cast that included Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh, which was a milestone in her career.
Sasha Imperial of I Love You, Hater
Kris came back to Philippine romantic comedies in I Love You, Hater, where she played Sasha Imperial, a smart and fashion-forward network executive who is in search of a female or gay assistant, which was played by Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia.