After a long hiatus from public events, the Philippines' Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, made a rare and heartfelt appearance to support her close friend and designer, Michael Leyva, as he received his People of the Year award from PeopleAsia magazine.

During a brief interview, Aquino apologized for her late arrival, explaining, "I'm sorry we're late. They had trouble waking me up because we started new medicine last night."

As cameras flashed during the photo opportunity, Leyva playfully asked Aquino to remove her mask, but she declined, saying, "Hindi nga ako pwede magtanggal ng mask, papagalitan ako ng doctor ko."

Aquino turned heads on the red carpet, exuding elegance in a striking ensemble — she paired a floral skirt with a pink coat embellished with gems, crystals, and a brooch, layered over a yellow inset, all complemented by her signature yellow mask.

Reflecting on her return to the public eye, Aquino noted that her last public event was before the pandemic lockdown. Coincidentally, she made her comeback on 25 February — a historic day for her family and the nation, as it marks the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

"I actually thought today was the 24th and tomorrow was the 25th. It was Michael who told me that today is already the 25th. I thought, 'What a perfect day to come out,'” Aquino shared.

She also spoke fondly of Leyva, expressing deep gratitude for his unwavering support. "He is like a dad to Bimb and Kuya (Josh). More than just a friend, he’s the younger brother I never had. Some people say, ‘I'll be there for you’ or ‘Maaasahan mo ako,’ but Michael has proven it so many times and in so many ways."

When asked about her health, Aquino admitted, "I'm not so okay."

Throughout the event, she was accompanied by her son, Bimby Aquino Yap, standing by her side as she celebrated a dear friend and a special occasion.