Actor Phillip Salvador expressed “sadness” amid heightened talks concerning the impending legal dissolution of Kris Aquino’s marriage to basketball star James Yap.According to the actor, the severance is unfortunate and that he feels for Aquino. “Sa tutoo lang, the honest truth pinagdadasal namin [his Christian group] sila kasi ayaw namin mag-ano [separate],” said he in an exclusive interview with talk show host Cristy Fermin for “Paparazzi” on July 11. “Nalulungkot ako. Naaawa ako kay Kris. Gusto ko maging maligaya siya [Aquino],” he added.

Salvador was once romantically linked to the presidential sister, eventually bearing her a child—Joshua, Aquino’s first. Salvador, who is a born-again Christian, said he will continue praying that the couple’s trouble would be resolved soon. “Kasi sayang naman. Ang dami na nilang bagyong pinagdaanan,” he said. Not that he is aiming to intervene personally. “Nasa kanila pa rin ang desisyon na ‘yan [reconciliation].” “We will just continue praying for them. Not just for Kris but for James also.”