James Yap

MANILA, Philippines - Star cager James Yap said he is also planning to adopt his son with Queen of All Media Kris Aquino.

Aquino had explained that she will eventually need to “adopt” Bimby since he is an illegitimate child based on the grounds of their marriage.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Yap said that—just like Aquino—he also wants James "Bimby" Yap Jr. to become a legitimate child.

“Siyempre paglaki ni Baby James, baka tanungin niya ako na ‘Bakit hindi mo ako in-adopt eh anak mo ako? So ‘yon ‘yung mga wino-worry ko talaga,” Yap said.

“‘Yon ‘yung mga pag-uusapan namin ngayon kung papayag siya (Kris), dahil siyempre ako ‘yung tatay,” he added.

When asked about his current relationship with Aquino, on the other hand, Yap maintained that they are now friends.

Yap shared that Aquino actually called her soon after she received the news about the finality of their annulment case.

“Tumatawag siya, tapos sabi niya ‘O congrats. Single na tayo.’ Sabi ko, ‘Congrats din.’ Sabi ko, ‘Masaya ka na.’ ‘Of course,’ sabi niyang ganyan.

Currently, Yap said, the two of them remain friends for the sake of their son.

“Okay naman kasi nag-uuusap naman kami, and ngayon medyo magkaibigan kami ngayon, so ang gagawin na lang namin is mag-focus na lang sa anak namin,” he said.

“Naging okay kami nung lumabas na ‘yung result ng anullment... Siguro, na-realize niya, na-realize naming dalawa, na kailangan na lang namin ipakita sa anak namin na maayos tayo and magtutulungan na lang tayo. Ipa-feel natin sa kaya na nadito tayo na nagmamahal sa kanya,” he added.

Yap stressed that he is sincerely grateful for Aquino’s generosity when it comes to his visitation rights to Bimby.

“Happy naman ako dahil any time pinagbibigyan niya ako pinagbibigyan ako ni Kris,” he said.

When asked what kind of father-and-son bonding he and Bimby often do, Yap said, “Mahilig mag-video games [si Bimby], so ‘yon tinuturuan niya ako kasi hindi ako marunong.” -- Report from Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News