MANILA, Philippines – Though caught between the love of her life, Sen. Chiz Escudero, and her parents' opposition to their relationship, Heart Evangelista exhibits inner strength as proven by her latest tweets.
The actress recently re-tweeted quotations pertaining to overcoming struggles, which read:
“@Scripture_Truth 18h: He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. -Proverbs 2:7.”
“@ihatequotes: Sometimes things get worse before they get better, but hold God’s hand and he will help you keep it together.”
Still, she couldn’t help but lament the situation, which took a public turn on March 19 when her parents, Rey and Cecile Ongpauco, held a press conference to express their objection to her relationship with the 42-year-old solon, accusing him of being “arrogant,” among other things.
“Today, tomorrow and the next will bring me heartaches...why try to take away my happiness...” posted Heart.
In separate statements, Heart and Sen. Chiz have assured their love for each other. According to her, the issue within their family stems from her parents’ wishes for them to separate.
Meanwhile, Heart’s ex-boyfriend Daniel Matsunaga is aware of the ruckus.
“They’re very protective, I understand. They love Heart, and that’s family, and that’s their opinion. So ako I go with it,” the Brazilian-Japanese model-actor said in a recent interview with News5.
Having been in a relationship with Heart for more than a year, Daniel believes that the 28-year-old Kapuso star is mature and intelligent enough to overcome the hurdle and make the right decisions.
He added, “I’m sure he (Chiz) loves her. I feel bad that this is happening once more in Heart’s life because she doesn’t deserve this kind of thing. She’s in love and it’s her decision.”
Chiz Speaks
While he professes love for Heart, Sen. Chiz is hurt by the accusations that her parents have made.
“Pilit ko iniintindi ang parents ni Heart, parent din ako pero hindi ako naninira sa ngalan ng anak ko. Kahit gaano karami pera nila, hindi lisensya para yurakan ang pagkatao ko… nadadamay ang mga anak ko pati nanay ko, lumalabas na parang hindi ako pinalaki nang maayos,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News during a press conference held in Naga on Thursday.
Escudero hopes that the public would spare them privacy in fixing their issues, which he described as “matindi.”
“Bago ito, masaya at maayos kami ni Heart, pero sa nangyaring ito, malaki ang epekto sa kanya. Mahal ko si Heart pero matindi itong pinagdadaanan namin, masakit,” he lamented.
Miriam's Advice
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who played cupid to Chiz and Heart, has also expressed her opinion on the matter.
The feisty solon deemed it right for the actress’ parents to let their daughter learn her own lessons because she is of right age.
“I think that they should just think all of this over and maybe it’s time for the family to let go of Heart because she’s 28. I think the best thing to do is let go, she has to learn her lessons her way,” Sen. Santiago said, addressing the Ongpaucos, in an interview with GMA News on Thursday.
As for her advise to Sen. Chiz, Sen. Santiago said, “Amuin na lang niya ’yung mga magulang para walang problema...Why can’t he do that? That is our culture, may kasabihan tayo na ligawan mo ang mga magulang muna.”
However, Sen. Santiago stressed that she won’t be taking sides because “this is a very highly emotionally charged situation.”
Sen. Santiago also came up with the decision to distance herself from Heart.
“I never had a daughter you know so I thought I could have a mother-daughter relationship with her and I’m very, very disappointed, in fact, depressed that things have turned out this way so I’m just gonna distance myself from her from now on. Apparently, I may have certain professional abilities but guidance and counseling is not one of them,” she said.
(With reports from Jecelyn V. Macahindog)
