Chiz, Heart saddened by Miriam’s death

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero and his wife, actress Heart Evangelista, were saddened by the passing of former senator Miriam Santiago, who introduced the couple to each other.

Evangelista posted several photos of her and Santiago on her Twitter and Instagram accounts yesterday, showing their happy moments together.

“You would read Vogue for me and in return, I would study your law books. You made me study the ‘serious Einstein subjects’ and bring me to meet the ‘kings and queens’ the way you would say it,” Evangelista said.

“You showed me so much of the world, put on my slippers when I had a migraine and fed me the best lobsters in bed. I would sleep over for weekends and stay up ‘til 2 a.m. and we would talk about Cleopatra and Grace Kelly. Your big hair and workout clothes, your lambing tone, your sweetness and kisses,” she recalled. 

She fondly calls Santiago “supermom,”  “Elizabeth Taylor,”  “Cleopatra,” her lawyer and mentor.

In an Instagram post, Evangelista said the feisty senator “put so much happiness” and “positivity in her life.”

“I just can’t imagine I can’t call you ever again. Tita, I remember you telling me it will be like you just traveled to see your son who you just imagine is studying abroad. I might have to think like that for now. I love you, my superhero.”

“I will miss you, my Cleopatra. I will be the luckiest girl in history to have you as my second mom. I love you so much. Until we meet again my Mommy M,” the 31-year-old actress wrote in an emotional caption on one of her photos.

Evangelista and Escudero are part of President Duterte’s official delegation on his two-day visit in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Escudero extended his sympathies to Santiago’s family and loved ones.

“My sympathies to Secretary Jun and Senator Miriam’s family and loved ones. She was one of the greatest and I owe her a lot. She will be greatly missed,” he tweeted.

Netizens also mourned Santiago’s death, describing her as the “best president the Philippines never had.”

“She’s an angel to all Filipino nurses like me. Thanks for Senate Resolution 1058 and Senate Bill 1565. We love you so much, Miriam Defensor-Santiago. May you rest in peace. All Filipino nurses are mourning,” Instagram user @Mauigirl_06 commented on Evangelista’s post.

Another user, @ichioie replied, “Sweetest things done will now be memories left behind,” while @Pritiyang said Miriam “fought a good fight, but God felt it was time for her to come home. She will always be missed.”

Social media user @Sofieah1234567890 also reacted to Evangelista’s photo.

“You’re lucky to have those moments with Sen. Defensor-Santiago. She’s absolutely the best president we never had. Her passing is felt by the whole nation.” 

Santiago captured the hearts of netizens with her witty and cheesy lines and was dubbed as a social media rock star.

She has more than three million Facebook likes, 2.9 million followers on Twitter and more than 30,000 followers on Instagram.  – With Christina Mendez