Heart shows how to rise after every fall

"It was an experience," described Heart Evangelista what happened to her backstage at the recently-concluded Denim Rockfest by Penshoppe. The incident caused a muscle spasm like a whiplash on her neck. As the brand’s endorsers, she and boyfriend Jericho Rosales graced the event and dressed to appear like modern angels. They were in jeans with wings.

Heart recalled that they were waiting in the hydraulics for their part. (Hydraulics is a transport used in concerts to carry performers up and down the stage.) She was sitting at the center, while he relaxed in one corner. The stage was more than seven feet high. While they were taking their time, 6Cyclemind performed without knowing that the top of the hydraulics was open. With the high-energy engulfing the entire venue, the band’s vocalist Mei rocked so hard, went beyond the assigned area to perform and fell on Heart and Jericho. He hit Jericho on the shoulder and Heart on the neck. Although the two Genesis artists could have backed out, they thought the show must go on. And, it did.

When Heart did the walk, she slipped on the steps and suffered a sprain. The audience applauded her as she finished the routine. After she made the bow, Heart began to feel the pain in her neck and left foot. She was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital and given first aid. The incident reminded Heart of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) of Sex and the City. Carrie lost her balance while modeling, dived on the catwalk, stood up and stole the show. Heart did steal the show.

Heart has recovered from the muscle spasm and sprain. Heart is happy that nothing worse had happened to her and to the lead vocalist. She thanks her family and friends including Penshoppe president Bernie Liu for showing their concern.

"It’s a good closing and start of everything that has happened to my career," said Heart of the incident. It’s true since a new door of opportunity, Philippine Idol, has opened for her, but in another station, ABC 5.

"ABS-CBN allowed me," said Heart. "I didn’t have a hard time asking their permission. I had to do it because I’m sill known as kapamilya. I’m very excited with this project."

Every night, from 8 to 8:30 p.m. on ABC 5, Heart hosts the Philippine Idol update show entitled I Love Philippine Idol. She interviews Idol contestants and gets into their lives and experiences in the show. She is required also to watch the show to see how the contestants fare in the talent-reality search. Having hosted many shows and concerts, Heart thinks she is in her element to host the show. Her only adjustment is to know the people behind it. She will do this until December.

Heart is also back to school. She is finishing her secondary education at the Messiah Foundation in Greenhills. Right after that, she plans to take the Pep Test for college.

Aside from Idol and schooling, Heart still hosts MYX on Studio 23.

Heart’s manager Angeli Pangilinan says Philippine Idol is an effort for her talent to go international or global.

This is possible since Heart has done an album and won an Awit award for Best New Female Artist. And, unknown to many, two years back Heart recorded the track Tell Me for producer Mike McCann, who owns an idependent recording company. It reached No. 18 in the Australian charts.

If Miriam Quiambao stood up for women who "have fallen" in their lives during the 1999 Miss Universe, Heart stood up to show that she can handle everything – be it showbiz or life – with grace under pressure.