Heart is Jericho’s leading lady in Panday

The long wait is over. After around two months of searching, ABS-CBN has come up with its choice of a leading lady for Jericho Rosales, who plays the title role in Panday.

She’s Heart Evangelista, who will play Eden, Panday’s one great love.

"We have auditioned many others inside and outside ABS-CBN," director Toto Natividad, who directs Panday with Rechie del Carmen explains. "But not one of them has Heart’s intensity. The chemistry between Jericho and Heart is so unmistakable."

A visibly-nervous Heart told the press, "This was what I’ve been waiting for since the day I was born. It will change everything."

Heart felt so nervous she asked everybody to take a seat after she greeted the press.

"My legs feel weak," she admitted.

Yes, it’s her first time to work with Jericho, but she’s not worried at all, especially in their delicate scenes together.

"I know he won’t let me down," she explained. Even her father gave his go signal after being briefed about the details of Heart’s role.

"He trusts ABS and knows nothing drastic will happen," reveals Heart.

The Eden role marks a big shift for Heart, who used to play teenybopper, romantic roles. And she is welcoming it with open arms.

"I’m no longer 16. I’ll be 21 next year. And it’s time to do something different. I really love my job and I want this role so badly," she explains.

Jericho feels just as happy at how things turned out to be.

"I feel relieved. Heart is perfect for the role. I’m excited to see how far our chemistry will go," he says.

Direk Toto can’t emphasize the importance of Heart’s role enough.

"Panday is also a love story, and the leading lady is important," he says.