The heart is still “sweet,” but won’t accept bullies who sit down

Heart Evangelista is a self-proclaimed ‘late bloomer’. She is now in her late thirties and feels she has finally come into her own. Yes, she’s still the “sweet” girl fans have always known her for. But all the personal hardships she’s faced – especially over the last 10 years – have also toughened her up.

“I’m still sweet, but now I know when to stand my ground. I will fight for myself this time – hindi na ako makakawawa ng kahit na sino. And I love that!” she told reporters on her recent launch as the first celebrity endorser of Zion Philippines, a wellness brand that specializes in relaxation products like massage chairs and saunas.

While she has always worn her heart on her sleeve, it was only recently that the 38-year-old star gained confidence in actually communicating her thoughts, feelings and needs.

“I have always been open and honest about my emotions. But I didn’t know how to put them into words because I was afraid of what people would think of me. As an actress, you are expected to follow a certain form. So being able to get my message across is already very powerful, having a voice,” she said.

That’s why she couldn’t help but laugh as she thought back to her younger days, when she couldn’t travel alone and figuring out connecting flights was enough to make her cry. “The train is ringing in Dubai – iniyakan ko ‘yun, tapos puro na ako pantal!” she remembered laughing.

Being more independent

But now she is confident that you can leave her anywhere and that she will survive. “I learned a lot about my job, personal things, responsibilities. I’m on top of everything… I love that feeling of being able to drop anywhere and know I’ll be able to survive,” she said. “Now I can do anything I want. I don’t always have to rely on others.”

Her husband, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, was one of the biggest catalysts for her growth. “I appreciate my husband for supporting me as a late bloomer and being more independent,” he said.

While she is best known today as an international celebrity and a jet-setting fashionista who collaborates with various luxury brands and houses, Heart’s life hasn’t always been all glitter.

Ten years ago, the controversial argument and “family feud” with her parents over her relationship with Chiz made evening news headlines and the front pages of broadsheets. More recently, she had a miscarriage that left her traumatized.

“I’ve had to go through a lot to be where I am today,” she said. “I am one of the lucky ones who gets to enjoy what they do [for a living]. I have been working for more than two decades now. Even though it is exhausting, gratitude prevails.”

Hart isn’t really scared of the idea of aging and coming of age. However, she’s worried about “getting aches and pains,” she joked. “Health is wealth. No matter how successful you are… it’s hard when you’re sick,” she said.

So while she’s always been a hard worker who enjoys being on the go, Heart always makes time for “self love and self care.” It may sound ‘vain’, but it is important that people take care of themselves. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup, she said.

‘Investing in ourselves’

“You have to take care of yourself before you do anything for other people. Many of us tend to put the needs of others first. But we also need to invest in ourselves – may balik siya. Because the healthier you are, the more things you can give and the more things you can do,” she said.

Hart makes sure she eats healthy. Six to eight hours of sleep is ideal, she said, but not always possible. To compensate, Heart does power naps and massages. “I am always working, but I take naps to recover. I’m what you call a “masandal tulog,” said Heart, endorsing the Executive Pro massage chair.

“I always get my legs massaged because super rampa ako in heels everywhere!” said Hart, laughing. “I also get up early for a little rest. I write down the things I am grateful for in a journal. I listen to music and spend time with my dogs. Those are also my ideas about self-care.”

When asked what advice she could give to women who look up to her but are struggling and losing hope, Heart, speaking from experience, said it pays to be patient and avoid being impulsive.

“If you don’t understand what’s happening, if you feel trapped and suffocated by your job and the people around you, you don’t just go to war. Take the time to assess things and try to understand how you can grow from the situation. And sometimes you just have to deal with the punches,” she said.

“If something isn’t going the way you’d like it to, it’s okay to feel frustrated. But don’t let the world turn you into a mean one. Everything happens with a reason. Sooner or later you will find the answer,” she said. INQ

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