ZAMBOANGA, Philippines ? Celebrity talk show host Kris Aquino, for the first time in the official campaign period, joined her brother, Liberal Party candidate Senator Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III here Wednesday ? and her appearance made an immediate impact as she was mobbed when she arrived at the airport.

Aquino, who flew in at 2:45 p.m., was a surprise, late addition to her brother?s entourage, a day after the Social Weather Station survey showed the LP standard bearer in a statistical tie in the presidential race with Nacionalista Party?s main candidate Senator Manuel Villar.

?Kaplastikan naman kung sabihin na hindi kami worried na lumalapit but we are confident na aangat kami ulit [We are being hypocritical if we say that we?re not worried that the competition is getting close, but we are confident that we will take the lead again],? said Aquino in an interview upon her arrival. Her husband, basketball superstar James Yap, flew in with the senator.

Aquino said she chose to make Zamboanga her first trip in the campaign with her brother because the place was "special" to the family. Zamboanga was where Aquino made up his mind to run for the presidency after consulting with the sisters at the Carmelite Convent there.

?My sister Pinky called and told me, ?Krissy, they are looking for you in Zamboanga.? So here I am,? the youngest among the Aquino siblings said.

When asked how it felt to return to Malacañang if her brother wins in May, Aquino said: ?I?m sure Noy would not want to take me there, and I have my own home. We?re okay. But we will support him in whatever way we can.?

Aquino will join her sisters for another sortie in Iloilo Thursday when she hoped to be with her youngest son, Baby James.

?We?ll break up with Noy to make sure that we will cover more ground,? said Aquino.

Her brother is set to go to Surigao also on Thursday as part of his plan to cover 27 provinces before March 26, the start of the local election campaign.

Aquino, who was dressed casually in black shirt, black pants and sneakers, sat at the business class section of the Philippine Airline flight to Zamboanga.