Heart Evangelista on beauty secrets, Jackie Kennedy, cupid Miriam, reconciling with Marian and love for Chiz

‘I choose my battles. In 2011, Marian threatened me that with just one text, her fans could kill me. I wish her the best, we’re now each marrying the man of our dreams,’ says Heart.

One of the most beautiful actresses in Philippine entertainment, 29-year-old Heart Evangelista, and her 44-year-old boyfriend Senator Chiz Escudero recently made news headlines with the latter’s romantic marriage proposal in his home province Sorsogon and announced plans for a wedding on Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — next year.

 Unilever recently launched Heart as its celebrity endorser for its unique new product, Pond’s Dewy Rose Gel, which brand manager Cesca Silvestre and Heart explained “has protective qualities for the skin and also whitening benefits.” Heart added that what is important for skin care and beauty is prevention of problems by using a protective product. Here are excerpts from a freewheeling interview with Heart Evangelista at Neo Day Spa in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

 PHILIPPINE STAR: When you first revealed in my June 2012 interview here in Philippine STAR that you were starting to date Senator Chiz Escudero, I was abroad when the column came out and your mom was calling my cell phone that morning. Was she angry to discover the news?

HEART EVANGELISTA: (Smiles) No, she already knew then that we were dating. She wasn’t angry, she was calling you to thank you because she was so happy with that interview.

I thought your mom was angry because Chiz was dating you…

Eventually, especially when it got serious…

So your parents are now close to Senator Chiz?

They’re okay na, but not necessarily close. But what’s important is that my parents gave their blessing and they’re on speaking terms with Chiz.

So your parents’ relationship with Chiz is almost like the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel?

(Laughs) Oo nga, ceasefire muna (Actually yes, a ceasefire for now).

Aside from Pond’s products and a healthy lifestyle, has romance made you more beautiful now?

(Laughs) I’m super-duper happy. Chiz really brings out the best in me… They say you’ll be blooming when you’re in love; I agree, but what is important to bloom is taking care of yourself, too. Life is really not easy, we all have our personal battles, but it is important that you really treasure yourself, love yourself and have a sense of self-worth.

In your home, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago told me that it was she who introduced you to Chiz. What was her advice to you about the early-budding romance?

I love Tita Miriam, she’s like a second mother to me. Her advice to me then was: “Hinay-hinay lang (Do not be in a rush).”

Your engagement ring is beautiful; you seem to like it. How many carats is that?

Yes, I love it. Maybe two-something carats… I’m actually super-conscious wearing it because everybody’s looking at it. It’s an heirloom ring from his mother, maybe even from his grandmother pa. He had this ring reset in Hong Kong, after Chiz secretly stole one of my rings to get my exact size… This seemed meant to be, because this ring used to be a different shape, but his mother had it reshaped before into a heart, so it’s now a “happy heart” ring. (Smiles)

Is it true Senator Miriam has already recovered from cancer?

I have no idea. The last time we spoke was three weeks ago. I want to call her again.

You are close to Miriam and now, to your fiancé Chiz, Miriam has expressed an interest in running for president in 2016; Chiz is considered a top presidentiable, too. How will you vote?

That’s really very difficult, baka I won’t vote na lang (perhaps I just won’t vote)… I wouldn’t vote, because pareho ko silang mahal (I love both of them). To be honest, Chiz doesn’t know if he wants to run or not.

Isn’t it a coincidence that Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes also just announced their own engagement as well as their forthcoming wedding? Didn’t you have a conflict with her in 2011, which you said was due to her jealousy over your publicly saying you’re excited to work with her boyfriend Dingdong?

Yes, it’s a coincidence. During the shooting of our movie in Ilocos, Marian threatened me inside my hotel room that, with just one text, her fans could kill me daw. But on her engagement now, I’m actually very happy for her. Finally, kahit hindi kami (despite our not being) on good terms, I’m happy for her… although at times I’m very bothered by her fans who bash me on the social media, especially after she once threatened me; but I choose my battles. My attitude now is: just enjoy the moment.  

Would you be open to reconciling with Marian, before both of you marry?

Yes, I’m open to that. I’ve tried talking to her in the past, but she’d just ignore me in the corridor or in other places. We’ve never had a chance to talk one on one. But in public, she greets me.

So, despite your rift, you still sincerely wish Marian well?

You know, I choose my battles. To be honest, I’m a jolly person. I wish her all the best, pareho lang kami (we’re both just the same), we’re each marrying the man of our dreams. 

You’re quite candid about this matter, and so frank.

It’s hard for me to lie, I’d stumble with my words if I tried to lie.

On a lighter note, do you help Senator Chiz as his fashion stylist, with his choice of clothes, his look?

Oo, minsan (Yes, sometimes). I’ll sometimes point  out, “This looks good on you.” Yes, I do occasionally help out, but he has his own good and distinct style, which I don’t touch. Chiz is also not a fashionista kind of guy.

What about skin care, what does Chiz use?

Chiz uses Pond’s Dewy Rose Gel and Pond’s Anti-Aging Miracle Serum. He also uses Pond’s Under-eye Age Miracle, the white and pink.  

I heard that Chiz has stopped his past habit of almost chain-smoking, because of your influence. How did you make him stop?

I didn’t make him stop smoking, I just encouraged him to start running, but it’s his body that told him to stop smoking.

How often does he run now? How about you?

Chiz runs almost every day; me, I run only twice a week due to some problem with my knees. He gets up every morning at 4:30 a.m., runs eight kilometers daily or the shortest is five kilometers, then he returns to wake his kids up for school at 6 a.m. or 5:30 a.m.

Any complaints from Senator Chiz about your sometimes posing in sexy pictorials for FHM magazine, Rogue or commercials, or when you sometimes wear sexy clothes or swimwear?

No, he’s actually nonchalant about a lot of things. In fact, hindi siya seloso, hindi siya nakikialam (he’s not jealous, he doesn’t meddle); I think that’s why it works, our relationship.

Have you discussed his first marriage with him?

Yes, he mentioned it… As much as possible, I don’t want to interfere. All things are settled there, what is important is everybody’s happy.

By the way, President Noynoy Aquino’s going to be the best man at your wedding. Senator Miriam told me she tried to pair you and Noy during her own wedding anniversary a few years ago, I think she wanted him to court you, too?

I think it’s really who you’re meant to be with…

Was Noy on the list of bachelors Miriam had given you as possible suitors before?

She had a list of who she wanted me to date. Number one on the list was Chiz.

On another lighter note, does Senator Chiz accompany you shopping?

Not so much, but he goes out with me.

What’s the most unforgettable place you’ve traveled to with Chiz?

Paris. It’s the most romantic place, also because it was my first time to go there.

Of all the first ladies in the Philippines or worldwide, who do you admire as an ideal role model?

Jackie Kennedy Onassis. She wasn’t so involved; she was low-key. I guess it was her grace that made her so admirable. She supported her husband, President John F. Kennedy; she just supported without meddling. Jackie was very refined, she was such a lady. In the world we live in, we’re surrounded by scandals, all these situations, the only way to do well is in how well you carry yourself… Maybe you can take away the “First Lady” title: Jackie, that’s the lady I want to be… I’d like to have a thin line between what Chiz does and what I do.

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