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Public Affairs
In her own words: Heart Evangelista
Heart Evangelista is known not only for her successful career as an actress and model but also for being one of the most intelligent women in Philippine show business. Though she came from a Chinese-Filipino family that made its fortune with the Barrio Fiesta restaurants, Heart chose to make her own way in the world.
On the GMA Network program "Tunay na Buhay," the animal advocate and award-winning actress sat down with host Rhea Santos and spoke candidly about her career, love life, and close friendship with feisty Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
On the start of her showbiz career Ang first dream ko talaga, I wanted to become a vet. And then I wanted to become a lawyer, then I wanted to become an artista.
My dad, ayaw talaga niya [at the time]. Big 'no' talaga sa kanya, dahil mapapabayaan ko raw 'yung pag-aaral ko—which was true. Napabayaan ko 'yung pag-aaral ko. [He was also worried that] I was going to be exposed to a different world compared to the life that I was used to. Baka pwede akong maging liberated… I could fall in love with this person pala, and it's so easy. He was afraid of that, so he was very hesitant. How showbiz changed her Madami akong iniyak... Madami akong pinagdaanan, but I don’t regret anything. I’ve grown so much as a person since I joined showbiz. When they said that I was maarte, I really think that I was maarte. But when I became an artista, nahaluan ako ng different experiences from different people. Naging mabuting tao ako… I could say, maarte ako pero mabuting tao ako. On her animal advocacy We have more or less 30 [dogs]. Pinaka-favorite ko si Yogi Bear, 'yung german shepherd ko. Favorite ko siya dahil smart siya talaga at ang madaling turuan… I’ve been a PAWS volunteers for 8 years. [Naniniwala ako na] kung mabait ka sa mga hayop, mabait ka rin sa mga tao. On her dating Senator Chiz Escudero
I don’t say “exclusively dating Senator Chiz Escudero” kasi parang mabilis e—although I am flattered. Sobrang masaya ako. Masaya siyang kausap, napaka-funny niya. Nakakaaliw lang minsan 'pag pinapanood mo ang isang tao, napakaseryoso, tapos nakilala mo outside of that, and ang bait pala. Ang kulit pala. Nakakatawa, nakakaaliw, so whenever I go out with Senator Chiz, I have a good time. Whatever friendship we have, it’s really good. It’s refreshing… it’s different. On her friendship with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago 
Para ko siyang mommy, matagal na matagal na. She’s concerned about contracts I get involved in, and worried about what I do with my life and who I end up with. We’re very close [even though] we are different. We’re opposites but we learn from each other, kasi nga konti lang mga kaibigan ko—she fills the gap. [Sen. Miriam] introduced herself to me a long time ago—I think 13 or 14 years old ako noon—lumapit siya sa akin ang said “You’re Heart Evangelista, right? Hi, my name is Miriam Defensor-Santago. I have one question for you: With all your success right now, what are you going to do next?” She gave me her card and said “Kapag may problem ka, tawagan mo ako sa office.” The next thing I knew, natutulog na ako sa house niya tuwing weekends. [Sen. Miriam] is like my mom, ang mga real mom knows that. Sometimes, when I have a fight with my mom, siya kinakausap ko. Tita Miriam is the only one who can straighten me out.
Para ko siyang mommy, matagal na matagal na. She’s concerned about contracts I get involved in, and worried about what I do with my life and who I end up with. We’re very close [even though] we are different. We’re opposites but we learn from each other, kasi nga konti lang mga kaibigan ko—she fills the gap. [Sen. Miriam] introduced herself to me a long time ago—I think 13 or 14 years old ako noon—lumapit siya sa akin ang said “You’re Heart Evangelista, right? Hi, my name is Miriam Defensor-Santago. I have one question for you: With all your success right now, what are you going to do next?” She gave me her card and said “Kapag may problem ka, tawagan mo ako sa office.” The next thing I knew, natutulog na ako sa house niya tuwing weekends. [Sen. Miriam] is like my mom, ang mga real mom knows that. Sometimes, when I have a fight with my mom, siya kinakausap ko. Tita Miriam is the only one who can straighten me out.
