In a joint exclusive interview with Funfare and Startalk last week, Katrina Halili confirmed that she is three months pregnant (due to give birth in September) and named her boyfriend, Fil-Am singer Kris Lawrence, as the father.

Kris, who belongs to Arnold Vegafria’s stable of talents, has remained mum, begging off from reacting to the Funfare/Startalk scoop — until today, that is.

In an exclusive interview with Funfare, Kris admitted that, yes, Katrina was right.

“I’m the father of the baby,” said Kris, “and I’m ready and willing to support Katrina and our baby.”

Although Katrina’s pregnancy was “not planned,” Kris echoed Katrina’s reaction when she learned about “the good news” last February.

“Sobrang happy,” said Kris who also confirmed that he and Katrina have been going steady since 2008 but broke up for a while last year. “She said she wanted to concentrate on her career and I let her. Soon, we got back together again.”

Asked if he’s ready to be a father, Kris, who at 28 is two years Katrina’s senior, said, “Yes, I am. I know how to change diapers and prepare the feeding bottles because I’ve done that to help my relatives and friends babysit back in the States.”

The sweethearts met in 2008 during Katrina’s US concert tour in which Kris, who had just won the ABS-CBN talent search Star in a Million, was a guest performer.

“We clicked at once,” recalled Kris who never left Katrina during the “hidden video” crisis (she lost the court case, sigh!!!). “I’ve met her family and she has met my family. I guess we know each other very well.”

Like Katrina, Kris said that they haven’t really discussed marriage yet.

“It’s something that shouldn’t be rushed,” Kris explained. “As of now, we’re focusing on Katrina’s condition. We make sure that she’s safe.”

In the Startalk/Funfare interview, Katrina mentioned what her father had told her — “Just because ‘something like that happened’ doesn’t mean that you have to rush into marriage.”

As long as she can, Katrina will remain in the cast of the GMA soap My Beloved in which she plays kontrabida, co-starring with Dingdong Dantes and his girlfriend Marian Rivera. Since her tummy is fast growing, she may have to wear less sexy clothes but promised to get back in shape after giving birth. Katrina was twice voted Sexiest Woman in the World by FHM magazine.

When My Beloved ends, Katrina said she will stay with her folks in Palawan and return to Manila in time to give birth — “The natural way,” she said.

In a light vein, Kris said, “My family is excited about the baby because it’s their first apo. My mom has been teasing me when I would give her an apo, so here it comes.”

Kris has a younger sister. They were both born and raised in California.

“I’m looking forward to the day when my child is big enough to play football with me,” he added.

Since he shares a house with good friend and relative Jay-R, also a US-bred singer, near where Katrina lives in New Manila, Quezon City, Kris can easily check on Katrina regularly. He’s on alert for whatever she needs, at her beck and call.

Asked if they’re planning to live together as a couple, Kris said, “No. Anyway, magkalapit lang naman ang tirahan namin.”

Source: Ricardo F. Lo, Philippine Star