Heart Evangelista resolves to steer clear of trouble

CEBU, Philippines - No stranger to controversy, Heart Evangelista has come to accept that the onslaught of intrigues comes with the territory of being a showbiz personality. But even the most pragmatic of persons have moments of surrender. She confesses there was a time last year --- presumably that period of her headline-grabbing tiff with her network’s acknowledged Primetime Queen --- where she thought of quitting the industry all together.

“Yes, I’ve thought of giving up. But it’s always like that. And I think I’ve been through so much in show business, my heart has been broken so many times and I know that there’s some more that’s going to come,” says the Kapuso talent. “I guess this is the way of life here. I had thought of giving up but when you have it in your heart that you had not done anything wrong and you have a big heart, I always believe that God will send grace to you. I think God has always not given me any reason to give up.”

If anything, those episodes of 2011 taught the 26-year-old to stick to what she believes is right and refrain from being “so dramatic about things.” She resolves to shy away from trouble this time around. She’d like to start by correcting the immediate public impression of her as being matapobre or mataray.

“Maybe because I kind of have that sharp features, so I look unapproachable. But I’m really a jolly person and I love making friends. So, that’s one thing that they should know. Never hesitate to approach me because I’m just a smile away.”

With the past year behind her and with exciting projects in store for her this 2012, Heart is just aspiring to become “a better person, to love what I’m doing and to love everybody in my life. Just be a better, better person.”

Unusual pairing

One of the things Heart is looking forward to is a possible collaboration with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whom she has close ties with. The public had noticed their closeness, which began when Heart stood as the maid of honor during Senator Miriam and husband Narciso Santiago's 40th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows ceremony last June 2011. This was followed by sightings of Heart in most of the Senator’s engagements, including the numerous RH Bill forums where the fiery public official attended as a resource speaker.

But according to Heart, their friendship actually started eight years ago when Senator Miriam came up to her and revealed that her son liked the actress a lot. “After that, she said that if I needed any help, she will always be there and she was never absent in my life since. It was like magic, like it was meant to be. She was like an angel or another mother that was sent to me from God. She has always been very supportive and involved with everything in my life.”

Senator Miriam has been a constant well of wisdom for Heart, that she sometimes wishes she had a ready journal to jot down all the “overwhelming” things that the lawmaker utters.

“She’d always tell me that Elizabeth Taylor was beautiful, she had everything, she was on top of her game, but there was always trouble in paradise. That’s what she says, so it’s good that no matter where you are, what you are, nobody has a perfect life,” Heart says, adding that one of these days, she would love to come up with a worthwhile endeavor with the senator that will benefit the country.

Back on the grind

After at least six months off the taping grind, Heart is back on GMA 7’s primetime slot as one of the lead actresses in the new nighttime soap Legacy. If her last fantasy-themed series had her spend 18-hour days in front of a green screen, running and jumping across an imaginary landscape as the tiny heroine Dwarfina, her brand-new television character is much more attuned to reality and requires more dramatic chops.

She plays the poverty-stricken Diana, one of three heiresses to a beauty empire who will struggle to be recognized as a legitimate successor to the family fortune. “I’m the daughter of Isabel played by Ms. Jackie Lou Blanco. She’s very poor, unlike the others who were born rich. She’s really different from everybody else, but she’ll become successful. That’s what viewers should look out for --- the shift in character and how she becomes powerful all of a sudden at hindi yung laging inaapi lang.”

Morena beauties and award-winning actresses Alessandra de Rossi and Lovi Poe play her half-sisters. Dubbed as a "glossy drama masterpiece,” the rest of the ensemble cast include leading men Geoff Eigenmann, Mike Tan and Sid Lucero; veteran stars Eddie Garcia, Liza Lorena, Jackielou Blanco, Maritoni Fernandez and Cherie Gil; and supporting players Mark Bautista, Sam Pinto, Solenn Heussaff, Ryza Cenon and Chariz Solomon.

Heart remarks, “The project itself is really high fashion, it’s very glossy and everybody is beautiful. I’m so proud and happy to be here. It’s different and everything is well thought-out. And because there are many stars here, sa bawat eksena, walang itatapon. There are commercial breaks but they won’t even change the channel.”

She may be the designated good girl in this drama, but Heart says that unlike her “cute Dwarfina,” viewers should expect a tough-when-needed Diana. It’s a role she enjoys. If it were up to her though, she would be happy to do another Jessy from the Korean series Full House. Heart and Richard Gutierrez did a Philippine adaptation of that Korean hit.

“My favorite role – it would be in that of ‘Full House.’ I really enjoyed that fun role, although when my character Jessy cries, she really gave you drama. If I could have it my way, I would love to make people laugh and cry at the same time but not too serious,” she concludes.

Heart is also set to start shooting by March for her first movie this year, a suspense-horror flick with the working title Pagpag.