The sizzling, if tragic, love story of James and Kris is worth an editorial.

After all, we are a nation of voyeurs - who peep into the hole to watch the rise and fall of our idols - the icons of our thoughts, the objects of our unspoken desires.

In truth, the fault lies both ways - for celebrities of fame and fortune - are in a manner of speaking - exhibitionists who delight in being watched in an aquarium and get the high of being talked about and admired.

Kris Cojuangco-Aquino, is no exception. A product of two large political families and daughter of a martyr hero and a former lady president, Kris is a passable actress but winsome TV hostess - with a tremendous hold on the consumer buying habits of Filipinos. When Kris endorses a product - there has been scientific proof that sales of the products go up.

The consistency of this phenomenon has made Kris Aquino, aside from perhaps Megastar Sharon Cuneta and actor Aga Mulach, the best product endorser in town.

Each endorsement is worth millions of pesos - enough for the porcelain-white Ateneo graduate - to quit working today and still be able to support herself and the lives of one more generation of her children in the future.

Her husband James Yap, is the reigning MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the PBA - in a sport that is the national obsession of many Filipinos - men and women - alike. He has been making his own product endorsements and was on his way to being a star endorser in his own right. Menfolk try to copy his fascinating basketball shots and women adore his clean, good-boy looks. He is a role model for many.

James and Kris' young marriage is on the rocks. The alleged third party is a 24-year-old charming receptionist of a famous Beauty Enhancing Shop called Belo (after owner Vicky Belo) - interestingly named "Hope" who has confirmed her 10-month affair (Kris is 7-months pregnant) with the famous cager. How a "receptionist" would do the facials (every Monday) of the cage superstar inside a small cubicle had suggested more than just lewd variations of a Belo the belt job (pun invented) - is one for the gossipy tabloids.

The emotional damage to both is obviously devastating - with millions ogling over the new live soap opera with a possible "collateral damage" of a still born baby, whose heart beat had weakened last week while the over-stressed Kris was hospitalized at the Makati Medical Center.

The raging controversy has cost Kris much - by bidding temporary goodbye to the medium that made her - television. It has cost James Yap, the slippery basketball star, a slot in the National Team of the Philippines (gunning for an Olympic stint next year) because the coaching staff is fearful - the whole brouhaha would affect the Ilonggo cager's sports savvy and stamina.

It remains to be seen - whether the drawing capacity for product endorsement for Kris and James - will be negatively affected by the dangerous liaison of threesome is a crowd - after the dust will settle. Will Kris' drawing power on TV and movies still be super - if as a martyr-wife, she does not act bravely in the face of some mounting evidence of James' infidelity? Does the Pinoy truly love the "underdog?"

In fairness, Kris in her foxhole, had found refuge in her God - as there "are no atheists inside the war foxholes." Will she come out whole out of this debilitating episode - physically and psychologically? Will their marriage ever be the same again?

Ninoy Aquino, a noted doting father, would have raged over the many controversies Kris had drawn to her life. Maybe it's time this once upon a time 6-year old campaigner of Ninoy (against Marcos) should learn a few lessons from the many mines that had exploded her way during her walk in life.

With her power of persuasion and hold of the public's attention - Kris should use the gift of charisma to change herself into a positive role model for society. Change her footloose, tactless way of living. Be a moral force to influence her believers to lead better lives.

She had thrived on the limelight - and would probably die early without it. Yet, she used this to make a spectacle of her dirty linen - mistaking transparency for propriety especially in her sordid affairs of committed or married men - to recall an alleged few - Robin Padilla, Alvin Patrimonio, Philip Salvador and Joey Marquez. Hers is an image of being challenged neurotically by the "unavailable" - hunks of men that at one time brother Noynoy did not speak to Kris for months.

Like a moth burned by the fire, Kris invites controversy to explode in the public eye - then sheds tears in public that people are unfair and other networks are using the controversy to upset her. But alas, Miss Kris, this is the stage that made her and she cannot be selective about when the curtains should open and fall - when it comes to her affairs. She is a star - and even the brand of Kris' handkerchief will be talked about - to stretch our point elastically.

At 35 and James at 26, this is a May-December affair - which Kris chose. Many people opine there is a wide disparity between their age, social class and intelligence. Others say Kris just wanted a James Yap as her trophy - one as popular as she is that she can show around and titillate both men and women alike with jealousy or adulation. But she says, that is a choice of her heart - so be it.

But with great fame and fortune also comes great responsibility to the viewing public. Henceforth, it might be best for all that a Kris Aquino thinks ten times before she acts or speaks in public.

Kris owes this to an impressionable public who will make their idols a role model - and may think that what they do is always on the side of the right - or at least make shades of gray of what are patently black.

Kris has this one chance in this new battle - where the public is clearly on her side - to use this momentum of sympathy to build a new image of wholesomeness, integrity and fortitude.

That would make Ninoy smile in his grave.