Kris Aquino reveals break up with Mark Leviste

TELEVISION and multimedia personality Kris Aquino has announced her separation from Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, citing the impossibility of maintaining a long-distance relationship due to her health condition.

On Monday night (Manila time), Aquino took to social media to share a heartfelt open letter dedicated to Leviste, accompanied by a photo of them together. This marked the first time where the 52-year-old publicly addressed their relationship since their dating rumors emerged in January.

BREAKING UP Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste and Kris Aquino INSTAGRAM PHOTO/KRISAQUINO 

As she bid him farewell to fulfill his responsibilities as a public servant in Batangas, Aquino acknowledged the profound impact Leviste had on her life.

“Marc (yes it’s with a C) @markleviste is leaving to go home to fulfill his obligations to his Batangas constituents. Nobody I’ve ever been in a relationship with has ever given me as much love & encouragement. He wasn’t only my boyfriend, he became my best friend and confidante, talagang maaasahan (truly dependable). The usage of WAS is correct,” Aquino wrote.

The severity of her condition has led Aquino to realize the challenges a long-distance relationship would bring, prompting her to request a pause in their relationship to prioritize her well-being.

“I asked Marc for a pause because with my condition the way it is now, I’m self-aware enough to know that a long distance relationship will be next to impossible for us to maintain. For the Filipinos working all over the world, I know I’m blessed to have Kuya Josh and Bimb with me – but most moms reading this will agree, we don’t want our kids to suffer from anxiety about our health, especially if you’re a solo parent like me,” she continued.

Expressing her deep appreciation for Leviste, Aquino recognized the physical and geographical barriers that have come between them.

“Thank you Marc for being here for me, especially when my 2 “giants” went home BUT our reality is that there’s a Pacific Ocean that divides us, a 15 hour-time difference, and a 13-hour flight. You know how much I believe in you and the last thing I want is to be an obstacle in your career as a public servant. This isn’t just a line, you will always have a place in my heart,” she added.

“We may not have had our “happily ever after” but being sick has really taught me to look at the glass half full- thank you for giving me the chance to again experience the magic of Once Upon a Time,” Aquino ended.

Meanwhile, Leviste reshared Aquino’s post in his Instagram story on Tuesday and accompanied it with the song “Love Never Fails” by Jim Brickman and Amy Sky playing in the background.

In addition, he included a meaningful Bible verse from the First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians), specifically Chapter 13, Verses 4 to 8 which says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

Leviste also took to Twitter to emphasize the last verse and wrote, “Love Never Fails,” with the same yellow heart emoji that Aquino used to end her Instagram post.

Since June 2022, Aquino has been residing in the United States to undergo medical treatment for several autoimmune disorders.