Kris Aquino Says She's "No Longer As Maarte" After Years Off-Screen
“For most, maarte pa rin; for me, pang school library na,” the Queen of All Media says of how she now sees herself.
by Em Enriquez
Published on Aug 19, 2026
In case you missed it, Kris Aquino has made her on-screen return with Netflix. The Queen of All Media stars in a series of promotional materials as the streaming platform's new "C.H.I.K.A.," or "Chief Head of Insight and Kontent Analysis." In each mini-episode, she exhibits the exuberant poise and quirky one-liners that many fans have missed.
This return has been a long time coming, considering that Kris has focused on her health in recent years. Given this vital shift in priorities, she attests that she's also become less "maarte," even if that was the persona she projected for the Netflix campaign.
Kris Aquino on Being Less "Maarte"
On one episode of Kris as Netflix's "C.H.I.K.A.," a netizen expressed how much they missed seeing the "trademark Kris kaartehan" on screen. The Queen of All Media replied, explaining that, off-screen, she's actually become more pared down.
"Will you believe me if I say I am no longer as 'maarte' kaya lang, for the material to work, I need to go back to how I was?" she said. In the Reel, a viral moment involving Kris—one where she lightheartedly made remarks during an actual earthquake—served as the key reference. Joined by a fictional Netflix employee named Earljohn, she exclaimed her "Nave-vertigo ako!" line, fueling viewers' nostalgia.
In her reply, Kris went on to say that she would love to share how much her personality has changed after years away from the spotlight. "I would love to do a reality show para makita at marinig nyo how much I have toned down. In my opinion, by at least 30%. For most, maarte pa rin, for me pang school library na," she said.
Since 2018, the entertainment icon has been battling 11 confirmed autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Given that several of her conditions are considered life-threatening, she's committed to undergoing intensive treatments both locally and in the United States.
Despite these challenges, she's maintained a presence on social media, with her youngest son, Bimby Aquino, even becoming a celebrity in his own right through hosting stints on Eat Bulaga. Many of her longtime collaborators, such as designer Michael Leyva and makeup artist RB Chanco, have also expressed their happiness over her return to work through Netflix.
Kris' "C.H.I.K.A." moments can be seen in full on Netflix's YouTube account.
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