MANILA, Philippines — The “Queen of All Media,” Kris Aquino, has once again been forced to break her period of medical isolation to publicly address a malicious and disturbing post circulating online that falsely wished for her death. In a candid and emotionally charged update shared on her Instagram account on October 17, Aquino vehemently denounced the perpetrator while providing a sobering look into the extreme measures she must take to recover from a complex array of autoimmune diseases.
The incident underscores the cruel challenges faced by public figures battling severe illness, particularly the added burden of malicious falsehoods propagated through digital platforms.
Debunking a “Sick Post”: The AI-Generated Hoax
Aquino revealed that she was shown yet another instance—which some reports suggest may be the “80th” such instance—of a “wishing KRIS dead post” allegedly spread by an “a**hole playing with her life.”
The latest hoax was particularly insidious, utilizing sophisticated deception to mislead the public. Aquino explained that the post involved a fabricated scenario: it claimed she was seen laughing at a family gathering before collapsing and fighting for her life. This narrative was paired with an AI-generated photo intended to visually shock and convince viewers of the falsehood.
In a fierce rebuke, Aquino called the originator of the post a liar. “FROM THE PERSO[N] in that sick post YOU ARE A LIAR!” she declared. She later clarified that the accompanying image was not of her “fighting for my life,” but a photo taken very recently as she was simply enjoying a book on her iPad, highlighting the stark contrast between her calm reality and the fabricated drama. The necessity of combating such digital malice forces Aquino to expend precious energy while she should be focusing solely on healing.
The Strict Reality of Isolation and Low Immunity
The reason for Aquino’s relative absence from the public eye is not a prelude to collapse, as the hoax suggested, but a necessary medical precaution. She confirmed that she remains in strict isolation to protect her dangerously compromised immune system.
Aquino, who has been diagnosed with a total of 11 autoimmune diseases, explained the rigorous protocols governing her life. While she manages to see her Cojuangco cousins individually, the majority of her time is spent alone. Her sons, Josh and Bimb, are her only constant companions, but their proximity comes with stringent requirements: they must not have been “out and about,” must have showered thoroughly, and are required to pass a comprehensive series of tests—including those for COVID-19, RSV, and the flu—before they are permitted to interact with their mother.
Despite the highly restrictive nature of this life, Aquino stressed that she is not complaining, noting that isolation has afforded her a welcome benefit: more time to read.
The High-Risk Treatment: The Rituxan Infusion
The depth of Aquino’s health battle was revealed in her detailed account of her latest medical treatment: an infusion of Rituxan (Rituximab), a powerful immunosuppressant medication commonly used to treat severe autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of vasculitis and lupus. Rituxan works by targeting and reducing the number of B-cells in the blood, which are responsible for generating the harmful antibodies that attack the body’s healthy tissues.
The treatment, however, carries profound risks, particularly for someone with Aquino’s specific co-morbidities. She disclosed that her conditions are complex: four of her autoimmune issues affect her lungs, and six affect her heart. This severe combination made the infusion a high-stakes decision.
“My doctors (a team of 7 for this infusion) kept asking me if I was sure because while doing my test dose, my body reacted weird to the steroid I needed to take with Rituxan,” Kris shared.
The seriousness of her condition required the formal approval of two key specialists—her pulmonologist and her cardiologist—before the medical team could proceed with the doses. Aquino expressed profound gratitude that they ultimately gave their consent, allowing her to take this crucial step in her fight.
A Glimmer of Hope and a Mother’s Resolve
While the fight is far from over, Aquino shared a cautiously optimistic update on the effects of the powerful treatment.
“I’m not yet in full remission but the red flares that felt like my face was BURNING and my all night dry cough have lessened,” she reported, indicating a tangible, positive response to the Rituxan.
She concluded her message by asking her supporters to keep her in their thoughts: “Let’s keep praying. God is listening.”
This latest update is a testament to the immense fortitude of the “Queen of All Media,” whose previous statements have emphasized her unwavering commitment to her children. As she once said, her motivation to endure these life-threatening health challenges is rooted in her role as a mother: “If I wasn’t their mama, matagal na akong sumuko (If I wasn’t their mama, I would have given up a long time ago).” Even in isolation, battling a multi-faceted medical crisis and facing malicious digital attacks, Kris Aquino demonstrates a powerful, maternal resolve to continue her fight.
