SHE WAS giving her husband Francis “Chiz” Escudero “100 percent support” in his 2016 vice presidential bid, but don’t expect her to sing or dance onstage during political sorties, TV-movie personality Heart Evangelista said.
“I definitely won’t be doing those things,” she said, laughing. “I have to be careful because I’m a celebrity. And we don’t see ourselves being that kind of couple.”
The GMA 7 star said she does not want to be seen as a meddlesome—or an “epal” wife. “I’ve been hearing about his plans for quite some time, but I try my best not to get too involved,” Evangelista said. “But of course, as his partner, I will be there for him as much as possible,” she added.
The 30-year-old show biz personality, who has an ongoing prime-time drama series in her home network, said she would willingly represent her husband in campaign sorties he could not attend. “If he needs me, I won’t hesitate to give up my days off.”
“Overwhelmed”
Evangelista, who has been part of the local entertainment scene for the past 17 years and is no stranger to pomp and bombast, admitted to feeling “overwhelmed” when Escudero formally declared his candidacy before hundreds of chanting supporters at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, on Thursday.
“I’ve never really experienced something this huge. I’m excited. I’ll be praying and wishing him and Sen. Grace (Poe) well,” Evangelista told the Inquirer in a phone interview, referring to the Poe-Escudero 2016 tandem.
Poe announced her intention to seek the 2016 presidency at the Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman on Wednesday.
Heart and Chiz ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Present at Escudero’s declaration were Evangelista’s mother and former manager, Cecile Ongpauco, who had a very public and bitter spat two years ago with Escudero whom she described as an “opportunist” and “manipulative.”
The animosity toward the senator resulted in the Ongpauco couple boycotting their daughter’s lavish wedding in February this year, although fences were eventually mended and the two families have become friendly.
“I really appreciate my mom for being there. My dad was also supposed to go, but he is sick and recuperating at home. Their presence in our lives is a huge thing for us. We feel stronger now because we’re whole,” the actress said. “They saw that we’re genuinely happy so they eventually accepted us.”
Wary of mudslinging
While she’s looking forward to the start of the campaign season, Evangelista admitted being wary of the mudslinging that usually comes with it. “Politics is different from show biz and I still get shocked by a lot of things. I just hope that (candidates) would focus on their platform, and won’t resort to bashing,” she said.
Though the actress seemed to know what to expect during her husband’s Thursday announcement, the senator still managed to surprise her.
Asked in an ambush interview at Club Filipino when the couple would be having a baby, Escudero said “uhm, next year.”
Evangelista appeared to be taken aback by her husband’s response, prompting some reporters to ask about her reaction. She hesitated. “It should be…in almost two years. But OK, if you want, let’s try,” the actress said playfully, drawing laughter from reporters.
Evangelista also explained why she had been teary-eyed during the senator’s acceptance speech.
Fresh option
“I have long idolized Chiz, even before I’ve seen him speak in La Union. And I am proud I married him,” she said, adding that she felt prouder during his speech. He was “really good (napakahusay niya)… It was hair-raising (nakakatindig balahibo),” she added of his speech.
The Poe-Escudero tandem was “refreshing,” the actress said. “I think they’re presenting a fresh option and it’s up to the people to vote wisely,” she said.
As for her husband’s chances, Evangelista said she was “confident about it (because) he has the heart and intention to really help and serve the country.”
“You just have to take your chances. And if it’s destined for you, it’s for you. If not, the world has other things to offer,” she said.
For his part, Escudero said he was praying that even if his supporters were not immediately apparent, “(we hope) we get to be together in the following days.”