Sights, romance, and returning to one’s roots in ‘I Left My Heart in Sorsogon’

CEBU, Philippines — In Heart Evangelista’s desire to contribute

to what she now calls her second home, she suddenly had

a light bulb moment for a series concept.

“I was always a Manila girl so I never belonged to a certain province although my mom is a Bicolana. But after my husband became Sorsogon governor and I got to live there for a while, I really wanted to do something for Sorsogon,” said the actress-influencer, and wife of Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero. “I was asking myself, ‘How can I do my part?’”

Her suggestion, which would later on become the series “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon”, was immemdiateley green-lit by bosses. And when Sorsoganons learned of the project, the private sector, including hotels and resorts, was quick to offer their resources for free knowing full well that the primetime exposure would be a boost to their establishments.

Heart said she felt it was the season in her life to do another series – which might or might not be her last – before she has to leave the country for a while for other projects and focus on other career and personal pursuits.

“I’m 36, I don’t know how I’ll look when I’m 38. So I thought of doing something for Sorsogon and come up with a project that I’ll be sure to give my 101 percent because I don’t know if this might be my last. You never know. I felt it was time for me to do one and make it really good,” she said in a virtual press conference.

And so this was how Heart – now dubbed as the Queen of Creative Collaborations – found herself breaking her four-year acting hiatus and turning down international invitations for a series that she calls “the best thing I’ve been a part of.”

In the Kapuso channel’s newest romance-drama, Heart is Celeste, a fashion designer and socialite engaged to dashing debonair Tonito, brought to life by Cebuano actor Richard Yap.

When Celeste reluctantly returns to her hometown of Sorsogon, she is forced to face the emotional baggage that she left behind when she moved to Manila. She still resents her father, who is now critically ill, and her father’s second family for looking down on her glitzy fashion life. She wants nothing more than to leave, but finds herself face-to-face with her old flame, Mikoy, portrayed by Paolo Contis, who stirs up feelings she thought she had long forgotten.

The longer that Celeste stays in her hometown, the more she unexpectedly rediscovers her roots, rekindles her love for family, its people, and Mikoy, who just won’t leave her heart.

“I can relate to Celeste in some ways because she’s so fashionable, she’s always dressed up yet somehow she uses her clothes as armor because you don’t really know the turmoil that is happening inside her,” shared Heart who took the chance to parade her unused outfits due to the pandemic. “She’s like a maldita with a cause.”

Harping on the show’s advocacy and Celeste’s journey of going back to her roots amidst her flamboyant lifestyle, the show showcases fashionable outfits that are made by local designers using products and materials native to the Philippines.

Apart from that, it also spotlights the province’s most picturesque and stunning spots such as Paguriran Island and Lagoon, Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon City Rompeolas, and Sorsogon State University Library with the guidance and support of the Sorsogon Tourism Office.

Cast members also gushed about the cuisine, with most everyone in agreement that the food was their favorite part about filming in Sorsogon.

Heart, likening herself to a kid eager to show off her treasures, was raring to be her castmates’ Sorsogon tour guide.

“It was my first time in Sorsogon and I was pleasantly surprised how modernized and developed it was. The roads were even better than nearby provinces in Manila,” said Michelle Dee, who in the series plays Hazel, Mikoy’s girlfriend who considers Celeste a threat to their relationship. “It was a long way to get there, but after seeing Sorsogon, my first question was, ‘When can I come back?”

Paolo, who had worked plenty times with Heart before including in a film where he was her elder brother, noted a much different woman this time around.

“She matured a lot as an actress and as a person. I didn’t expect her to be the leader that she was on set,” he shared. “There are small things she does for everyone that we all appreciate. We all became friends and we have Heart to thank for that because she was the one who binded us by making sure we were all okay, that everyone was interacting. She was always the earliest on set and always ready. So hindi ka pwedeng pa-petiks petiks.”

Among showbiz’s controversial personalities of late, Paolo shared that even if he had to give up a couple of movies to do “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon”,  he has no regrets.

“More than anything it was a big deal for me that GMA gambled on getting me for the part. So I thought it was just right that I give my 110 percent to them. Mawala man yung ibang trabaho, it was all worth it. I’m thankful that GMA chose me and even retained me…for this opportunity to play a good guy, which I did my best to pull off.”

For Richard, being in a love triangle at his age and with one of the actresses on his wish list is a dream come true.

“When I first came into GMA I always said I wanted to work with Heart,” said the actor, who joined the network in December 2020. “It hasn’t disappointed me because ang sarap katrabaho ni Heart along with the rest of the cast, especially Paolo. Nahihiya nga ako sa kanya kasi ang galing niya. Kahit hindi kami magkakilala, first scene namin she made sure na hindi ako naiilang. She was very accepting, open and welcoming so nawala na agad yung tension. It became very easy after that.”

Also starring in the series are Kyline Alcantara as Tiffany, the 18-year-old daughter of Tonito who can be rebellious, but is actually sweet and warm; in his first soap opera, Mavy Legaspi as Sebastian, Celeste’s estranged half-brother who is charming, handsome, and feisty; Rey PJ Abellana as Patricia, Celeste’s estranged father; Isay Alvarez as Lucinda, Celeste’s doting mother who passed away years ago; Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino as Adora, Celeste’s stepmother and Sebastian’s loving mother; and Marina Benipayo as Vivian, Tonito’s rich and overbearing older sister.

Completing the cast are Debraliz Valasote as Lola Ikay, Mikoy’s grandmother who has a passion for food; Issa Litton as Aurelia, Tonito’s ex-wife and Tiffany’s mother; Jennie Gabriel as May-may, Celeste’s cousin and childhood best friend; Jennifer Maravilla as Jamaica, Celeste’s fashionable friend and associate; Zonia Mejia as Clau, Tiffany’s friend; Bryce Eusebio as young Mikoy; Dayara Shaine as young Celeste; Elias Point as James, Tiffany’s classmate and long-time boyfriend; and Victor Sy as Winston, Tonito’s trusted cousin and confidante.

Heart hopes viewers glean from the series the importance of going back to one’s true self. “That no matter where life takes you – good or bad – you should always remember who you are. To keep that child in you at all times, having a child-like faith in all you do,” she said.

“Because sometimes we get overwhelmed with success, with the pressure, even with the bad stuff, that we eventually get hardened. While it’s not a bad thing to be tough, I think it’s also important to have that gentleness, to never lose inner child in you because that’s the purest of them all.”

“I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” airs weeknights after “24 Oras.” It will soon be available for streaming via iQiyi International or IQ.com for Philippine subscribers.