DESPITE taking on many roles, Heart Evangelista is a woman in control.
We see her sit as one of the celebrity judges in StarStruck, the reality search program of GMA that is out to discover the latest gaggle of showbiz hopefuls that the network will train and launch into the big leagues.
Evangelista also takes her role as governor’s wife very seriously. Her husband Chiz Escudero, former senator turned governor of Sorsogon, has just started his term in this progressive province of the Bicol region, and Evangelista is already making her presence felt in her unofficial duty as Sorsogon’s first lady.
A known animal lover and advocate, Evangelista has announced recently that she is building an animal welfare facility in Sorsogon. “We have already pinpointed a vacant lot where we will build this facility. Some of you know that I have a soft spot in my heart for animals, and it has been a longtime dream of mine to be able to continue my support to champion their welfare,” she told us.
We have known Evangelista for many years now, and we share a common love for dogs. When she was still in her teens and dating one of her now ex-celebrity boyfriends, we recall she was so fond of this American Cocker Spaniel named Kayla. And there was also a time when she had around four of these little all-white toy breeds when she decided to live alone.
Not long ago, Evangelista started to embrace the larger breeds and she now has a German Shepherd named Yogi. She has also adopted and fallen in love with an aspin (short for asong Pinoy) she named Panda, which has become sort of a celebrity dog.
For many years now, Evangelista has been a staunch supporter of the programs of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, a nonprofit animal shelter. Perhaps her long-standing collaboration with this organization has given her the big push to put up her own shelter in Sorsogon.
“I am taking it a day at a time. We will be providing services, such as neutering, spaying, tagging and vaccinating the dogs in the communities. We will also prioritize educating people, both the young and the adults, on the responsibilities of being a pet owner,” she added.
Evangelista flies to Sorsogon whenever she finds time from her busy schedule as a celebrity.
She is the face of the Kamiseta brand and her paintings are even included in the designs the women’s apparel brand is producing. She has also partnered with the homegrown cosmetics brand Happy Skin, unveiling a new lipstick collection featuring six custom colors in matte, mousse and gloss. Very soon, Evangelista told us that she might start working on a fashion book project.
As an actress, she has wrapped up work for her international project which brought her to China and the United States. “I heard it will have its world premiere in North America before the year ends. Then we start Book 2 after that.”
She makes sure that there is always balance in her life. And she continues to assert the importance of loving oneself and taking care of oneself. “Eating right and having enough sleep are both important. And so is exercise. I also moisturize a lot.” She shared with us one of her must-haves: Thiocell, a glutathione complex dietary supplement that comes in chewable lozenges form. She takes two every morning before she starts her day.
“Being a celebrity, an artist and a politician’s wife is not easy. Everything is about priorities and proper time management. And balance. I cannot stop stressing about the importance of knowing how to balance your activities. Do what makes you productive and happy. Take time to rest and pause and evaluate. Make time for quiet time. Reach out to people, to family to friends, even to strangers. Be nice. Be good. Be kind. Make every day matter.”
Heart Evangelista has certainly evolved into an even more amazing person. She continues to surprise us with her beautiful heart.