Kris Aquino wants son Bimby to be a 'normal high schooler'

MANILA, Philippines — Kris Aquino wants a normal teenage life for her son James Jr., more popularly known as Bimby, because she did not have one. 

The TV host shared her sentiment in an interview with Ogie Diaz for the latter's YouTube vlog uploaded on Friday. 

"I don't want to repeat kay Bimb kung ano 'yung pinagdaanan ko dahil I really did not have a teenage life," she said. 

Kris said her mother, the late former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, became the head of state when she was 15. Cory became president after the tumultuous 21-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. 

"Excited ako kasi dapat mabigyan na siya ng chance na lumabas with friends and barkada niya. Dapat may freedom na siya pumunta ng mall," she added. 

Bimby said he promised that he would not go clubbing and parties. 

"It's okay. Just dont drink. Same kami ng blood type so allergic kami sa inumin," Kris said. 

Bimby has been visiting Kris in the United States for two years now since she left in 2022 to seek for treatment for her auto-immune diseases. 

Bimby is currently homeschooling but the 17-year-old is set to stay longer in the Philippines to study and also look after his Kuya Josh, Kris' older son who is on the autism spectrum. 

"I need to go back home in order to finish talaga na focused na focused talaga," said Bimby at that time of their interview with Ogie held in their Orange County rented house in California. 
 
"Sabi ni Mama, 'It's time for you to experience what it's like to be a normal high schooler,'" he added.  

Kris revealed that her son might be accelerated but he still has to go through aptitude tests. Bimb quipped that he takes after his mother. 

"He really has to go kasi kailangan niya magpa-interview doon sa schools. Tatlong schools pinagpipilian. He needs to go for a face-to-face. May exams siya to see kung anong aptitude niya, kung anong level. Posibleng pwede siyang ma-accelerate pa. I'm praying for that," Kris said. 

"Siyempre, mana sa nanay," Bimby said. 

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