MANILA, Philippines -- Basketball star James Yap, the estranged husband of celebrity host Kris Aquino, has sought rights to visit their three-year-old son James, saying his wife, now seeking their legal separation, had denied him time with their child.

Appearing before reporters with lawyer Lorna Kapunan on Monday afternoon, Yap said he last saw Baby James on July 30, when he, Aquino and half-brother Josh returned from their vacation in the United States.

?(When) they came back, on July 30... he watched my game. 'Di kami masyado nakapag-bonding dahil may jetlag siya (We were not able to bond because he had jet lag). When I brought him home that was the last time I saw him and after that I received a text from Kris na I can't see Baby James muna (for as long as) 'di matapos kaso (the annulment case is not settled),? said Yap in a rare interview about his separation from Aquino.

Yap added he was hurt by Aquino's petition that would strip son James of his surname.

?Nagulat talaga ako na gusto niyang ibahin ang name ni Baby James, so tanggalin niya ung Yap. As a father, talagang 'di pwede yon. Syempre anak ko yon eh. So don lang talaga nagulat talaga ako non (I was surprised that she wants to change Baby James? name, to remove Yap as his surname. To a father, that is unacceptable. Of course, we?re talking about my son. I was just stunned when that issue came up),? Yap said.

Yap is set to file a petition formally seeking visitation rights to his son before the Makati Regional Trial Court. According to Kapunan, the petition does not stipulate specific terms of visitation yet.

?Although we are told by James that he received a text from Kris saying that she is open to visitation, it cannot be under her terms. You cannot set a schedule and a deadline and a venue. The father should be allowed to freely visit a child, especially this is a three-year-old boy who polarizes with the father and has the same interests,? said Kapunan.

Aquino is seeking to nullify her marriage with Yap, saying the minister who officiated their two wedding ceremonies had no authority to solemnize the nuptial ceremonies. Kapunan said such a plea would render Baby James an illegitimate child.

?The most significant and disastrous effect is that the child be declared illegitimate,? Kapunan said.

Yap also made an appeal to Baby James.

?Baby James, I am doing this for you. And I really miss you, I want to see you and to be with you. I hope we will fix this soon so I can be with you. I love you,? said Yap in a mix of English and Filipino.