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Heart Evangelista shared with 'StarTalk' last Saturday her concern for good friend Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who announced last week that she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS



Heart Evangelista shared with StarTalk last Saturday her concern for good friend Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who announced last week that she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The actress only found out when the senator announced it in a press conference, but knows that the latter was taking a lot of medications.

‘Matagal ko nang alam na may sakit siya’ “I had no idea actually na 'yun na 'yung nangyayari pero matagal ko nang alam na may sakit siya. Matagal ko nang alam na madami siyang iniinom na gamot,” she shared.

Heart recalled going to the United States with the senator two years ago and seeing effects of the prescriptions.

“Nung nag-New York pa lang kami nun, I think this was two years ago, sobrang lamig talaga doon pero siya, naka-sleeveless siya so lahat ng tao, tinitingnan kasi naka-sleeveless siya kasi naiinitan siya sa sobrang dami niyang iniinom [na gamot] kasi ang dami niyang kakaibang sakit,” she added.

Close friends

Despite being in different industries, the two have a tight-knit friendship. During the renewal of the senator's wedding vows with husband Jun Santiago on their 40th anniversary last June 2011, Heart served as her maid of honor.

The StarTalk host claimed that Miriam, who is a mother figure in her life, is possessive of her and might not allow her to get married.

“Baka ‘di rin siya makapayag dahil super possessive nun sa ‘kin so ‘di siya maka-move on na ikakasal na yata ako so sabi niya ‘pag kami na daw ng asawa ko, anytime dun daw ako sa bahay niya. Kunyare mag-aaway kami, dun daw ako sa bahay niya matulog, okay lang daw 'yun,” she said.

The Iron Lady of Asia

Miriam Santiago, who is also known as the 'Iron lady of Asia', is not only a strong political figure in the country but also possesses extraordinary strength in her personal life. The politician shared a phone call with Heart a few days ago, giving her the assurance that she can get through the obstacle.

“Nag-usap kami two, three days ago. Isang oras kami nag-usap noon. Dun niya sinabi sa ‘kin na may sakit siya but the way she said it, she was very strong na parang hindi ako masyado nag-wo-worry [otherwise,] siguro ngayon dapat super iyak na ‘ko kasi parang nanay ko siya,” she disclosed.

“Pero the way she said it, it seems like she will be okay kasi the cancer is concentrated only on one area so meron siyang iniinom na gamot and she said in a few days, she’ll be fine so not to worry about it daw.”

On that note, Heart calls on Filipinos to pray for the senator. “She has served as an inspiration to a lot of people… We should pray for her. With her strength and with God, she will be okay. We love you, Tita Miriam,” she concluded.