After more than a decade apart, R&B singer Kris Lawrence is embracing what appears to be a new chapter with former partner Katrina Halili, admitting that if he is ever given a second chance in love, it is one he does not plan on wasting.
Kris and Katrina, who separated in 2014 after five years together, share a daughter, Katie. Earlier this year, the former couple reconnected and began rebuilding their relationship through co-parenting, something Kris said has transformed not only their family dynamic, but Katie’s overall well-being.
READ: Katrina Halili and Kris Lawrence spark buzz after Palawan 'reset' trip
In an interview with Hot Takes, Kris reflected on the importance of maintaining love and respect for an ex-partner, especially when raising a child together.
“Hundred percent. As I said before, I’m a very energy-based person, right? So, the kid feels it. The kids will always feel it when you’re not okay,” he maintained.
For Kris, the balance between them as both parents plays a crucial role in Katie’s emotional development, given that she has mild autism. He explained that because their daughter carries parts of both him and Katrina, harmony between them directly affects her sense of security.
“If I’m out of the picture, yung energy balance ni Katie is not going to be all there. You’ll have to draw from other sources. Kung hindi kami okay, hindi rin magiging okay si Katie.”
The singer went on to share how grateful he is for where things stand now, revealing that he has seen remarkable changes in Katie since he and Katrina began co-parenting more closely.
“I’m very, very grateful [that she] kept me in the decision that we’re co-parenting a hundred percent and everything is so beautiful right now. Napansin namin yung smile [ni Katie], a big shift. Katie’s smile is so much better; it’s so genuine. It almost feels like she does not have autism. I believe it’s because the energy is all back and it’s all whole now...Now she feels love from both parents. I’m there every single day. She sees that me and Kat are happy. The fact that me and Kat are happy, it trickles down to her and it makes her feel secured and loved. The magnitude is just phenomenal.”
The pair first sparked speculation in April after taking a trip together to Palawan, with many netizens wondering if the former couple had rekindled their romance. At the time, however, both had been honest in saying that while they were not officially back together, they were simply grateful for the healthy setup they created for Katie.
Asked if he would be open to giving love another chance now that things are going well, Kris admitted he is already standing in a place he never expected to return to.
“I mean, I’m already here, right? I think the fact that Kat let me in – because last year was a rough year, it was a super rough year. I think she was going through something. I just wasn’t given the chance to be there for Katie. But this year, whatever clicked in her head and let her make the decision [she did it]. You know what, let’s let bygones be bygones and magtulungan tayo for Katie.”
Looking back, he said he deeply appreciates the maturity behind Katrina’s decision to open that door once again.
“I thought that was a very mature decision, and I’m very, very grateful that happened because now I’m there. Kung ano man yung pagkukulungan ko dati, siguro naman bumabawi ako nang todo todo ngayon.”
And if life happens to offer him a second chance at love, Kris made it clear he has learned from the past and he will not mess another chance anymore.
“If I am given a second chance, it’s something that I am not going to f—ck up. Something that I’m not going to mess up. It’s one of those situations where [I’m like] ‘Don’t mess this up Kris.’”
As fans continue to gush over their interactions online, Kris admitted he has noticed all the kilig reactions, though even he cannot fully explain why people have become so invested.
“Honestly, I’m super grateful but hindi namin alam anong ginagawa namin [para kiligin sila]. It is [so organic]. We have our team and it’s just an open camera, just rolling camera all the time and yun yung mga pino-post namin. Honestly, what you see is what you get.”
Despite the renewed closeness, Kris acknowledged that relationships naturally go through difficult seasons and said that growth often comes from learning to move forward, no matter the circumstances.
“There’s always going to be challenges, and no matter what happens, you just have to keep pushing forward. Whatever cards you’re dealt, you just have to play the best hand every single time.”
Interestingly, Kris pointed out how life has brought them back to this moment exactly 12 years after their breakup, something he sees as a “full-circle” moment.
“Like who knows? We never knew that we would be in this situation again [after] we broke up 12 years ago...We broke up 12 years ago and in astrology cycle, 12 years is a full cycle, right? It’s like you just had to keep pushing and you know, here we are now.”
“After 12 years, she’s a different person and I’m a totally different person. Our new persons are getting to know each other again. And [we] just have to go with the flow, wherever the flow is going, we’re happy,” he continued.
Perhaps the moment that made fans feel the most kilig came when Kris was asked what message he wanted to give Katrina.
“Thank you. Thank you for, siguro, giving this another chance. Whatever this is and whatever this will lead into. Just know that I’m here and I got you. We're taking this one step at a time. Just know that aalagaan ko ‘tong second chance na ‘to.”
When asked whether this meant they were exploring another shot at love after months of speculation, Kris carefully stopped short of confirming anything, saying they were simply allowing things to unfold naturally.
“Well, I mean, she said it herself like the door’s open. Honestly, like what I’ve said, [our] new persons are still getting to know each other. I’m sure that there’s a lot of things – there's some things about me na hindi niya nagustuhan before [and] there's things about her na hindi ko nagustuhan before. We're still seeing kung natanggal yung mga yun, if we matured to a new level, and we’re more compatible now.”
“It seems like it,” he added while giggling.
Adding another layer to the conversation, Kris also revealed that his new song “Unlove You” is deeply personal, fittingly centered on the kind of love that lingers long after a relationship ends.
“Like I said, I’m very transparent...It’s very personal.”
For now, Kris and Katrina may not be putting labels on whatever it is they are rebuilding, but with healing, maturity, and a shared commitment to Katie bringing them closer again, many cannot help but wonder if some connections really do find their way back in time.