From Dida to Intan: Kris remembers ‘kariton girl’ as ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ breaks records

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For Kris Aquino, her brief but significant role as a princess in “Crazy Rich Asians” perfectly caps her nearly 30-year film career with a “magical happily ever after.” She first appeared on screen in 1990 as an “orphaned girl pushing a ‘kariton.’”

At 47, Aquino fondly recalled her debut opposite the late Rene Requiestas in “Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo” and celebrated the box-office success of her latest project, “Crazy Rich Asians,” on Instagram Tuesday.

According to the local Warner Bros. distributor, the film has grossed P110 million in the Philippines since its release on August 22, just after one week.

Aquino highlighted that the Kevin Kwan adaptation shattered local box-office records, with an opening weekend of P82.7 million—Warner Bros.’ biggest for 2018 and the highest-ever for a foreign romantic comedy in the Philippines.

“Just thank you,” Aquino wrote, “not because I overestimate my role, but because my cameo in this historic, hugely successful Hollywood film promoting Asian inclusivity elevated Filipinos—one of us was chosen as the only royal in the fantasy world of ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’”

She added, “From playing an orphan pushing a ‘kariton’ 28 years ago to now portraying a princess dressed in my family’s symbolic yellow, this role isn’t just an ending but a magical ‘happily ever after.’”

The film’s critical and commercial triumph brought relief to Aquino, who revealed on Instagram how stressed she was, fearing the film might flop locally, causing her blood pressure to spike dangerously.

Kris Aquino explains why she did not attend Crazy Rich Asians Philippine screenings | PEP.ph

She joked that she would’ve been the “logical punching bag” if the film wasn’t warmly received by Filipinos as it was internationally.

“Then like a dream, friends sent photos and videos of packed cinemas. I read messages about the cheers when Princess Intan appeared,” she shared.

(Spoilers ahead.) Aquino’s Princess Intan, a Malay royal, was given an entire row to herself at the “wedding of the century” in Singapore, symbolizing her status. Her presence helped highlight the protagonist Rachel’s pivotal moment and softened Eleanor’s initial disapproval.

Though brief, Aquino’s mysterious entrance sparked whispers among the elite, culminating in a rare smile exchanged with Rachel during the wedding.

Aquino wasn’t the only Filipino in the film—US-based Nico Santos played Nick’s cousin and friend to Rachel, while Carmen Soo, familiar to Filipino audiences from ABS-CBN’s “Kahit Isang Saglit,” also starred.