THE ACTRESS says her mom and manager Cecile Ongpauco trusts her now.
Heart Evangelista says all’s well now between her and mom Cecile Ongpauco, whom she calls her “mommyger”—short for mommy and manager.
Mother and daughter didn’t always see eye to eye on a lot of things, especially on how the actress should handle her personal life and career.
“I just turned 28. I guess she trusts me now,” Heart tells the Inquirer. “Communication lines are now more open between us. Before, I really had no say on anything. Now, she allows me to express myself.”
The actress says it took a while for this harmonious relationship with her mom to develop because she had also been “very childish and immature about a lot of things.”
She adds: “I’ve also been restless and I really didn’t know what I wanted for myself. I went through a lot and learned things the hard way.”
Overprotective
“Mommyger” Cecile offers her own view of the situation, saying: “Heart is my youngest child—she will always be my baby. I’ve become overprotective of her. We both had to adjust. For my part, I had to accept that she’s already 28 and is very capable of making her own decisions.”
Cecile admits that up to a certain point, Heart wasn’t really allowed to speak her mind. “I was brought up that way—makuha ka sa tingin (to be afraid of dagger looks). It had also been that way with my (other) kids. But Heart is a woman now, I had to adjust,” she explains.
On Tuesday, Heart signed another two-year guaranteed contract with her home network GMA 7. Present during the contract signing were GMA 7 chair and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. and Entertainment TV’s officer in charge Lilybeth G. Rasonable.
“She (“mommyger”) took care of the negotiations for the contract renewal,” she said. “I simply told her what I want to do while with the network. I’m hoping to be given more opportunities to host and appear in movies.”
Misjudged
“A lot of people misjudge my mom. Some say she’s matapobre (snobbish), but she’s really a nice person.”
Heart plays lead in the afternoon fantasy-drama “Forever” and hosts the infotainment show “Watta Job.” She is set to return to hosting “iBilib: The Wonders of Horus,” another infotainment program.
The actress has this advice to other girls who may have relationship problems with their moms. “Be patient—it (better relationship) comes with time. When you reach a certain age and develop your own character, you will eventually earn your parents’ trust and respect.”
Cecile quips: “I’ve taught her all she needs to know about life so I’m confident that she’s now ready to face the world on her own. I’m giving her a free reign. When this fails, I can always take her shopping. It’s really the best way to cheer her up!”
(Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)