Daniel just stays true to his Heart

DANIEL Matsunaga says his family in Brazil loves his girlfriend.

TAGBILARAN City—After a three-week holiday in his homeland, Brazil, with Filipino girlfriend Heart Evangelista, model-TV star Daniel Matsunaga is back at work on the GMA 7 series, “Futbolilits.”

Before taping his first episode, he joined cast members (young stars Renz Valerio and Julian Trono) in this capital city of Bohol province for the Sandugo festivities.

“It’s my first time here and I want to see the tarsier. Unfortunately we don’t have time to go sightseeing,” Daniel told the Inquirer.

No need to fret; he had his fill of R ‘n’ R in South America. “Heart and I got to do a lot, but we still felt three weeks was too short,” he said.

Heart visited his family, Daniel said. “They loved her. Now they always talk on Skype.” The couple stayed in his grandfather’s farm in Tocantins, near the Amazon. He recounted: “Heart went fishing in the river. We caught a piranha.”

For the record, Daniel refuses to be involved in the feud between Heart and fellow Kapuso Marian Rivera. He explained, “I will always be here to support Heart. I know what kind of a person she is. I can’t comment on the issue [but] I know the truth and I will stand by her.”

Walking the talk

Whenever Heart is troubled, he makes sure to “make her happy,” Daniel said. “I take her out to dinner in Tagaytay or other quiet, relaxing places. I give her flowers.”

Daniel got to walk the talk, when Heart’s family home in Cavite was razed by fire last March. He related: “Heart called—she was at work then. I got gulat (shocked), but rushed there to help. Her dad chose to save their dogs rather than their valuables. They’re good people.”

Daniel admitted that he occasionally got jealous. “Like, when sometimes we have to do kissing scenes with other actors,” he said. “I prefer not to watch.” Daniel has yet to catch the movie “Temptation Island,” where Heart was paired with Aljur Abrenica. “Although I have no problem with Aljur; he’s a good friend,” Daniel said. “I’ve worked with him and Kris Bernal.”

It’s like they’ve exchanged partners, Daniel jested. He was earlier matched with Kris, who’s Aljur’s ka-love team.) “We’re pros,” Daniel said. “That’s part of show biz.”—Bayani San Diego Jr.