Kris Lawrence, Katrina Halili open up on their reconciliation following rough patch

Kris Lawrence and Katrina Halili revealed how they've rebuilt their relationship to continue co-parenting their daughter Katie after going a rough patch.

In their “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” guesting on Friday, the two said that communication, maturity, and a shared sense of purpose played key roles in mending their once-strained dynamic.

Katrina admitted that personal realizations in the past year pushed her to reassess her priorities, particularly her role as a mother.

“Siguro, communication lang. Nabanggit ko rin before na last year kasi ang dami kong realizations na minsan mag-so-sorry ako kay Katie kasi ang dami kong pagkukulang sa kaniya kasi lagi kong inuuna ‘yung trabaho,” she said. 

“Tapos natatakot ako. Paano kapag nawala ako ganyan. Ang dami kong ganon. Last year, sobrang sensitive ko,” Katrina added.

She shared that this prompted deep reflection on both her own shortcomings and those of Kris, ultimately leading her to a point of acceptance and cooperation. 

“So parang na-realize ko na sige na nga kung ano man ‘yung parang feeling ko na kulang na ginagawa ni Kris, OK na nga, parang OK na. Ako rin naman na kasama ni Katie mismo may pagkukulang din. So parang sige. OK na, magtulungan na lang tayo para kay Katie.”

Kris, meanwhile, described 2025 as one of the most difficult years in their relationship, revealing that they were not on good terms at the time.

But a turning point came in January 2026 during the actress’ birthday.

“Last year, she gave me the hardest year ever. We were not in good terms last year. So this year, it was her birthday that changed everything. She invited me like we were not in good terms and then she invited me on her birthday. So when she invited me of course I was like ‘should I go? No. I’m not gonna go 'cause she was like being so mean to me,” Kris said. 

“But I just realized, you know what it’s her birthday, I’m gonna show up. She invited me. Probably took her to swallow a little pride to invite me. So I’ll go. And I’m very thankful that I went because I feel like my presence on her birthday is where everything changed,” he added.

Both said their friendship never completely ended, despite periods of silence and distance following their breakup.

“Hindi naman totally natapos ‘yung friendship pero dumating sa time na mayroong tahimik,” Katrina said, while Kris added, “It was on and off sometimes.”

Despite the challenges, both clarified there was no lingering anger, only a need to grow individually.

“Like we just had to grow as individuals,” Lawrence said.

“Hindi naman… nag-move on lang talaga,” Halili added.

As they reconcile, the former couple said their daughter Katie, who ultimately gave their lives new meaning and direction.

“Siguro before we were like chasing dreams before Katie. And when Katie came, we realized why we were chasing our dreams and to chase with purpose,” Kris explained.

“Siguro one thing I realized about myself is I become softer, I become more patient. And not only I became a dad, I became a better human being.”

Katrina echoed the same sentiment, saying motherhood helped her grow emotionally and spiritually.

“Humaba ang pasensya ko. Mas naging grateful sa small things… mas naging matibay para sa anak ko. Mas nagkaroon ng purpose ang buhay ko,” she said.

Katrina gave birth to Katie in 2012. Two years later, she and Kris parted ways.

In 2023, Katrina opened up about her co-parenting setup with Kris, saying, "mas OK kami as friends."

Katrina and Kris have been delighting fans with their renewed friendship. They recently traveled to El Nido, Palawan together, after Katrina spent her birthday with Katie, Kris, and Kris' son, Lyric, in January.

In a February vlog, Kris shared he is open to the idea of getting back into a relationship with Katrina if they were both still single in 10 years. — LA, GMA News