Kris Aquino announced on Monday evening, Jan. 3, that she and fiancé, former DILG secretary Mel Sarmiento, have separated.

In an Instagram post, Aquino confirmed their break up and gave an update about her health, which affected her relationship with her former beau. Her confirmation came following speculations that she and Sarmiento have parted ways when the latter’s photos were nowhere to be found on Aquino’s social media accounts.

“I want to spare myself and my loved ones from further rumors and speculation. My health has continued to deteriorate and I will soon fly abroad for further diagnostic tests and if needed, do all the treatments and procedures to help address my drastic weight loss (I now weigh 88 lbs./40 kilos) and if still possible, strengthen my immunity,” wrote Aquino, who also posted photos of her getting treatment with visible weight loss compared to how she looked like in past videos she posted on her social media pages. 

It was in 2018 when Aquino revealed that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, a serious, chronic and distressing skin condition that is difficult to diagnose and manage. In 2019, she also shared in an Instagram post that she is battling a “form of lupus” that makes her allergic to medicine that can cure or manage its symptoms.

Aquino said she has accepted the many complications brought by her autoimmune disease, including being immunocompromised, which posed as a major challenge during the almost two-year pandemic.

“My faith in God has taught me I must completely surrender all, to His Will and His Timing,” she wrote.

Aquino also opened up about her break up with Sarmiento, with whom she was engaged with in October. In November, while in the middle of an issue with actor-politician Herbert Bautista, Aquino hinted that she and Sarmiento already has a date set for their “simple” wedding. 

“Sa pinagdadaanan ko ngayon, may tao bang gustong pag-usapan pa ang kanyang paghihiwalay? But in order for me to be able to peacefully move on, and focus on myself and my health, BECAUSE my sons still need me, kuya Josh has autism, and Bimb will only turn 18 in 3 years, 3 months, and 16 days, i must end this chapter,” she wrote.

Also included in Aquino’s posts were screenshots of what she said was Sarmiento’s last text message to her.

“After that you will never read nor hear anything at all about him from me, because I still want to preserve whatever dignity i have left,” she said.

In Sarmiento’s text message, he was supposed to accompany Aquino but decided not to do so as he said he was exposed to other people after visiting a mall and to avoid putting Aquino at risk as she is immunocompromised.

“For the past two days, I had enough time to think about things and accepted the fact that ensuring you don’t get COVID is an enormous responsibility,” Sarmiento wrote.
Mel Sarmiento’s supposed last text message for Kris Aquino. @krisaquino on Instagram

He added, ”Given my nature, who loves to go out, I accept the fact that I already have a bubble fatigue and I will not be able to, sad to say, be able to continue living in a bubble.”

“On that note, with a heavy heart I accepted your offer of letting me go. For I cannot in conscience be able to accept that something will happen to you that brought about my going out of the bubble. I will always cherish in my heart the happy moments we had together,” Sarmiento said.

“I do love you, but I guess this is goodbye for your life is of greatest importance given  that you have Bimby and Josh to take care of. You will forever be in my heart,” he concluded.

Aquino requested for respect for her “humanity and privacy” now and in the coming months as she continues her battle for her health. 

“Because I was BRAVE enough to show you and tell you the TRUTH,” she ended.