Mayen Austria's camp chooses to keep mum; wants the issue with Kris Aquino to die down

By Karen A. Pagsolingan & Noel Orsal

Here's a photo of Kris Aquino (left) and James

Yap last January 12 singing "Kung Tayo'y
Magkakalayo" at The Big Dome, where the
birthday concert of Sharon Cuneta was held.

Five days later, the Kapamilya star announced

that she had asked for time and space from her
husband of five years. She added, "I'm not
saying that the marriage is over because in my
heart I still want it to work. I want it to work
because number one, I will forever be grateful to
James dahil pinakasalan niya ako, na he loved
me enough to marry me. But I want it to work
because Baby James deserves a mother and a
father. But he doesn't deserve this gulo..."
From out of nowhere, Mayen Austria became a
famous name.
Other than her address, age, and high school alma mater, the public did not know her from Eve,
and simply linked her to the latest marital issue of showbiz couple Kris Aquino and James Yap.
Some friends described her as "tahimik," "relihiyosa," and "mahilig sa basketball," but bloggers
recently dubbed her as "James Yap's new girl," "James Yap's text mate," and "alleged gf."
From hush-hush emerged a hubbub.
It started with this text message, which read (published as is): "To everyone. Kris Aquino passed
by house to make me sugod. She spoke to my mom. Very mad, berating us saying i always text
and call james. That my mom didn't bring me up right. That we shouldn't be talking to married
men. She said she's leaving james and to know that i am the last straw and the reason for their
break-up. My family has great respect for Teopacos who are our family friend. Mrs. Teopaco is
Cory's youngest sister. My mom raised us right. My mom didn't deserve all that. James missed
called and texted na he warned me pupunta siya [Kris] sa house. He called me to apologize and
say sorry. Kris said we had something going on. I don't deserve this. Most especially my mom. I
have chemical depression and could have easily taken an overdose of pills because of the
incident. With the hugs and love of my mom and sisters, and tranquilizers, i'm okay. Do you
want Kris to be in malacanang."

In a phone conversation held last January 14, Kris told YES! editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, "It
reached my sister... I imagine it could've been sent to more people, including the media..." So the
host-actress gave her side of the story, which would be published once the smoke turned to fire.
The following day, with Mayen's uncle, Gabby Lopez, granting an interview with a daily
broadsheet, the issue landed on the front page.
 Since then, Kris Aquino has spoken about the issue twice—in PEP and The But Mayen chose to
keep mum.
FRIENDS COME TO HER DEFENSE. Even her closest friends no longer want to discuss the
issue.
"Let's leave her alone. Kung anu-ano na labels sa kanya ng mga tao, pero third party nga ba
talaga siya? She's not used to this. She's not a big star like Kris," said a former schoolmate.
For his part, James Yap denied having a relationship with Mayen in his interview with Ricky
Lo, who mentioned in his column dated January 15 that Kris got suspicious because Mayen had
been sending "chocolates, cakes, or other goodies" to the cager.
But another friend of Mayen said via a source, "Nagpapadala nga siya ng mga cupcakes, pero
kahit sa ibang players ng Purefoods [Tender Juicy Giants]. Hindi lang kay James Yap." It was a
"marketing" strategy of Mayen, whose family is in the pastry business. Kris herself used to order
from her.
Another source, who met Mayen through the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association),
affirmed, "Marami siyang kaibigan na players, at namimigay siya ng mga regalo sa kanila..."
Mayen, to date, has not responded to any queries from the media. She called up Showbiz
Central yesterday just to clarify one thing: She did not send the text message.
In a phone conversation with her mother this morning, Mrs. Minna Austria politely declined to
talk: "We're not granting any interview. We'd rather not talk about it. We'll let the issue die
down."