Kris Aquino is not afraid to speak her mind, especially when it comes to her haters. She is the queen of clapbacks, just look at her comments section. She has defended herself and her family from bashers trying to take them down. She’s all about spreading positivity but she knows when to stand up for herself and post carefully crafted responses.
With all the drama that Kris has been involved in, most especially on social media, I’m sure you have a lot of questions like why she decided to confront her haters. We were curious too and lucky enough to ask her some questions about it. She also gave some tips on how to deal with haters online and her role in her new film I Love You, Hater. Keep reading to find out.
How do you deal with haters on social media?
Exposing yourself means you take the good with the bad. I think it has helped a lot that I know how to laugh at myself.
How do you pick which comments to react to?
I try to be very grateful for the words of encouragement and I just become a #warriorqueen when it is the dignity of the family that’s at stake.
What have you learned from responding to your haters?
When responding—CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES.
Do you think you’ll always react to hater comments?
NO, because it does take a toll and sometimes for me to get my job done, I need to FOCUS and tune out the negativity.
What does your family think of the way you deal with haters on social media?
My sisters acknowledge that social media isn’t their expertise and they are “lurkers” but not active participants.
How differently did you deal with haters in the past before the height of social media compared to how accessible it is now that they can directly reach you by commenting on your feed?
I prefer in-your-face confrontation—I’ve never been one to “play it safe,” so for now I’m still cool. I think it takes wisdom to know that you shouldn’t play in a field that’s not your territory.
Do you have any advice for people who want to confront their haters too?
If you’ve noticed, I’ve tried my very best to never be the instigator—I merely DEFEND what I firmly believe are non-negotiables with me.
Do you think you did the right thing responding to Mocha the way you did?
I firmly believe that when you allow a person to continuously disrespect your loved ones—especially those who aren’t present to give their TRUTH—you become complicit and I would rather be scarred battling than be a coward.
If you could address all your haters right now, what would you say?
#CareBears
What do you want your kids to learn from you when you defend yourself on social media?
I really admire Bimb’s attitude—he said: “We know it’s not true so why let it bother us?”
How did your personal experience with haters help you for your role in this film?
I specifically asked that Sasha Imperial be a compassionate and inspiring boss. I didn’t want to be a “terror” because form my own experience—you win loyalty from your people when they see your work ethic and you are profuse with your gratitude for a job well done.
You went viral by incorporating brands when you respond to haters. How did your endorsements react?
I think it’s now a “badge of honor” for my brands when they are mentioned in my clapbacks.
What’s the worst thing someone said to you on social media?
I don’t think there’s anything left that hasn’t been said—but I come with one distinct advantage—my life has been an open book for more than 30 years. You only freak [out] when a new skeleton is unearthed, there’s nothing buried in my past.
Will you still be Instagramming at 80?
Without seeming morbid—I don’t really see myself living a very long life—and reaching 80 doesn’t seem to be an achievable goal.
A lot of doomsdayers have said social media has made us lonelier instead of being more connected. Do you feel differently? How so?
Social media engagement was the window God opened when so many doors had closed… I am grateful for its existence because without this direct link, I’d never have had the chance to reinvent myself.
Bimby gave sage advice previously, noting that what other people think shouldn’t matter (or at least he won’t allow it to affect him). Since responding on social media has worked for you, does Bimby’s advice still feel relevant?
Bimb is an 11-year-old boy who didn’t experience a world without Wi-Fi connectivity. This is LIFE for him. In many ways, he is my FGD. With more brands betting big money on me and KCAP—there is so much more at stake—I’m by no means an angel, but sometimes I really just have to go the path of Michelle Obama: ”When they go low, we go high,” because silence can really be the best reply to a fool.
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As a bonus treat for everyone, Kris also decided to share some details about I Love You, Hater. Specifically about her character Sasha and a scene she asked not to do. She explained how she used her own personal experiences to inspire her role.
“You didn’t ask me this but I won’t be Kris id I don’t add—I asked that my character Sasha have this longing for affirmation from her father… I also said NO to shooting a ‘closure’ scene with her ex-husband. My reasons were simple—I believe I am able to show my mom that everything she’d unselfishly done to never make me feel that there was anything in life that was insurmountable and that we her kids always came first, I’m now able to do for my sons… But with my dad—having lost him at only 12 years old—there will always be a part of me that will question id he’s proud of how ‘the female Ninoy,’ as my mom would describe me, has turned out. Regarding foregoing a ‘closure’ moment with my character’s ex-husband—I’ve already learned that decisions concerning matters of that are sometimes better left not being discussed. As much as I have said that my life has been one open book—there are a few characters that will feel more comfortable not re-reading and over-analyzing. Because with doomed relationships—time really just becomes your ally.”
Art by Marian Hukom
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