Heart Evangelista tells parents to leave her and Chiz alone

In an emotional live TV interview on Sunday, actress Heart Evangelista appealed to her parents to stop issuing hurtful statements about her relationship with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“Why? Why are you doing this?” she asked, addressing her mother Cecilia who, together with her husband Rey, attacked the senator’s character and accused him of maltreating their daughter in a press conference last week.

“Mahal na mahal naman kita, hindi naman kita iiwanan… Anak mo ako, pamilya tayo, tama na! Tama na ho. Walang mananalo dito. Lahat tayo nasasaktan, lahat tayo talo dahil nawala tayo sa isa’t isa,” she told the GMA talk show “Hot TV”.

The 28-year-old said she only saw one reason why her parents spoke out: “Because gusto nila kaming paghiwalayin. Lahat naman siguro ng ginagawa nila ngayon dahil para maghiwalay na kami.”

Her parents need to let her make decisions for herself, she declared.

“Sana, hayaan na lang nila akong maging masaya, ‘yung walang kokontra at walang pipigil kung anong nagpapatawa sa akin,” she said.

Heart said she could not remember any particular incident that triggered her parents’ sudden disapproval of her relationship with the 43-year-old senator.

“Wala. Nung umpisa walang problema, ‘yung una silang nagkita… In fact, walang problema ‘yung daddy ko, naging maayos kami. Pumunta pa nga kami sa beach house niya.

“Naging maayos talaga kami. Ito lang talagang nakaraang araw biglang naiba,” she said.

Heart also refuted her parents’ allegation that Chiz is an alcoholic. “That is a lie!” she declared.

She also denied his supposed arrogance towards them. “Hindi talaga totoo. Senator siya. Kung ibang tao nga ginagalang niya. ‘Yung mas mababang tao nga nandiyan siya para sa kanila. Ano pa kaya ‘yung magulang ng taong mahal niya?”

Heart admitted that it was a painful decision for her to move out of the condominium building where she lived one floor above her parents’ unit. But she maintained that she was happy with Chiz.

“Ang saya-saya namin, e… ang saya-saya ko ngayon. Hindi ko maintindihan,” she said, breaking into tears once again.

She reiterated her message to her parents: “Kung gusto n’yong magkahiwalay kami, hayaan n’yo na lang akong makapagdesisyon nun, please!”

source: interaksyon.com

Ongpaucos call Chiz an ‘opportunist’, Heart ‘unstable’, to sue senator for libel

It’s another episode in the real-life telenovela entitled “You and Me Against The World”, starring Love Marie Ongpauco (known to the public as Heart Evangelista) and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

This time, Heart’s parents Reynaldo and Cecilia Ongpauco gave an official statement via a press conference late Thursday in response to statements made by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday, in which he claimed he was simply caught in the middle of a family feud.

All this, of course, started when the Ongpaucos earlier voiced out their disapproval of their daughter’s relationship with Sen. Escudero.

The so-called “forbidden romance” is, at 28 years of age, Heart’s third attempt to have a fulfilling love life—yet her parents still want to call the shots. Remember the Jericho Rosales and Daniel Matsunaga episodes?

This family drama, as viewed by many as ridiculous, overblown and sad, is now said to be supported by none other than Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

It was Sen. Santiago who played matchmaker to Chiz and Heart. Now she is said to be on the side of the Ongpaucos, although she said on Thursday that it was time for Heart’ parents to “let her go”.

Following is the Ongpauco couple’s official statement in full:

“Our entire family is mortified over statements to the media made by our daughter Heart, defending her lover, Francis Escudero, during our feud with the latter.

“We believe that we have a right to defend ourselves against unfair accusations made by Heart, under the dictation of Chiz, who clearly wrote the letter signed by Heart and published by a mo­vie columnist.

“Chiz, who is a lawyer, is 44 and previously married. Heart, who has not finished high school, is 28 years old, the youngest child, and previously the baby of her parents.

“Chiz is unacceptable to our family, for the following reasons:

“#1 Religious Reason. Chiz obviously has a personality defect. His wife, with whom he has two children, left him for reasons that have been the talk of Metro Manila.

“Chiz and his wife obtained a civil annulment. Thus, under the rules of the Catholic church to which my family belongs, Chiz is disqualified to remarry, unless he obtains a Church annulment.

“#2 Personality Problem. Chiz is surrounded by unsavory gossip which has already reached social media.

“The cause of his annulment and his peculiar habits are swirling over his head, and he has ne­ver bothered to explain himself.

“He projects himself as a wholesome candidate, but we know better.

“We challenge Chiz to stop dictating to our daughter. Stop hiding behind the skirts of Heart and stop using her as an armor to shield yourself from very serious questions about your character and personality.

“#3 Alcoholic. The first time Chiz visited our home, we saw that he was drunk and he smelled of alcohol.

“The second time he went to our fa­mily home, he was again drunk, carrying a bottle of red wine.

“During both visits, he hardly spoke a respectful word. He sat slumped in a chair with his legs spread outward.

“He has never formally asked for our daughter’s hand, or explained how he will support her and his wife at the same time.

“#4 Illusions. According to Heart, Chiz has promised her that he will become President by 2016, and then she will be addressed as ‘First Lady.’

“The staff of Chiz sometimes addresses him as Mr. President.

“This is pure seduction, because we believe Chiz does not stand any chance to become President or Vice-President, owing to his secret character.

“Furthermore, he once boasted to Heart that he runs a lucrative law office, and that a multinational is poised to pay his law firm over P200 million a year for lawyering for the multinational.

“One more boast of Chiz is that he has already the guaranteed financial contribution of a businessman who has been listed among the ten billionaires of the Philippines, but who is under investigation by the Senate.

“Heart believes all these claims made by her boyfriend, without any evidence.

“#5 Opportunism. Chiz has virtually moved into the condo unit owned by Heart.

“He uses her Mercedes Benz at will, particularly during night time, indicative of her own disturbed personality.

“Heart encourages this behavior from Chiz, as she did with the rest of her prior boyfriends. She has been diagnosed as a needy personality, but she refuses psychiatric treatment.

“#6 Case vs. Chiz. Because of Heart’s naiveté, I have been compelled to act as her talent ma­nager. We recently signed Heart’s contract with a certain TV channel.

“Now, Chiz is urging her to have my name removed as talent manager. All the acts of Chiz indicate that his public persona is far different from his real character.

“My husband and I are in the process of gathering evidence to prove that he is a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality, as suggested by a print columnist.

“Since our backs are pushed to the wall, we intend to file cases against Chiz: a criminal case for libel, for claiming that he is caught in the middle of a family feud; when the truth is, Chiz is the very source of our family feud.

“We might also file an additional criminal complaint for incriminating an innocent person.

“Furthermore we are going to file a civil complaint for damages under the Civil Code, which provides that a cause of action for damages is available against people like Chiz, for ‘meddling with, or disturbing the private life of another.’

“Conclusion: People in show business know that although Heart is 28, she does not have the mature mind of someone of that age.
“She still thinks like a young girl. She is easily swayed by people who prey on her insecurities and lack of confidence.

“Heart has personality problems, and Chiz, who is also suffering from his own personality problem, is doing his best to confuse her, to the extent of alienating her affections against us.

“As soon as we have evidence that will stand in court, our family will disclose what kind of a man Chiz really is.

“Since he has inveigled Heart to take his side (which she has always done with all of her prior boyfriends, indicating how unstable she is) our family has decided to disown her scandalous behavior.”

source: interaksyon.com

Netizens seem indifferent to Chiz-Heart ‘forbidden romance’

While Kris Aquino is seeking a temporary protection order to make sure ex-husband James Yap does not come near her and their son Bimby, the parents of Heart Evangelista have gone public in expressing their disapproval of her relationship with Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Calling the reelectionist senator an “alcoholic and an opportunist” in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Heart’s mother Cecilia Ongpauco also noted that Escudero also could not give her daughter a church wedding despite the recent annulment of his marriage.

Escudero responded by initially taking a hands-off approach but later granted an interview with rappler.com where he categorically denied Mrs. Ongpauco’s allegations and insisted that he loves Heart and that she can think for herself. At the same time, the senator also hoped that the issue would not be used against him in politics.

For her part, Heart, who was reported to have moved out of her condominium unit in the same building where her parents reside, has taken to Twitter to post her sadness about the sudden turn of events that she calls “a bad dream” and in her last post wondered why her “happiness” is being taken away from her.

Unlike the Kris-James brouhaha where James Yap got most of the sympathies, most netizens seem to be indifferent in reacting to this issue, with the senator getting the brunt of the more unkind tweets.

source: interaksyon.com

Daniel Matsunaga on Sen. Chiz Escudero’s feud with Heart Evangelista’s parents: ‘She doesn’t deserve this’

Daniel Matsunaga can totally relate.

The Brazilian-Japanese hunk told News5 on Thursday morning that he was well aware — thanks to his Twitter followers who had kept him updated — that Heart Evangelista’s parents, Reynaldo and Cecilia Ongpauco, had publicly voiced out their disapproval of her new boyfriend, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Daniel admitted that the news was a not a big surprise to him. He had known how very protective Heart’s parents were when he was still dating the actress. He said he felt terrible for both Heart and Sen. Escudero.

“I’m sure he loves her. I feel bad that this is happening once more in Heart’s life because she doesn’t deserve this kind of things. And she’s in love and it’s her decision,” Daniel said.

He said he knew where Heart’s parents were coming from. He also knew they did not like him for their daughter, and it influenced Heart’s decision to break up with him.

“They’re very protective, I understand. They love Heart, and that’s family, and that’s their opinion. So ako I go with it,” he said.

However, Daniel believes that Heart, 28, is no longer a child and should be able to decide for herself whom to love.

“Heart is old enough to fix her life. She’s mature and intelligent. I’m sure she can handle it,” he said.

source: interaksyon.com

Don't Dip into Controversy, Chiz Appeals To Critics

Team PNoy re-electionist Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is appealing to his critics not to dip their fingers into the current controversy hounding his relationship with his girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista who has been at loggerheads with her parents over his alleged uncouth behavior.

“Sana ay hindi ito panghimasukan ng iba upang sa gayon ay manatili ang puwang na magkaunawaan sila,” he said in a televised radio interview.

Evangelista's parents have asked Escudero to distance himself from their daughter following his disrespectful attitude, which they said were uncalled for.  But Evangelista appealed to her parents to let her decide for herself, apparently siding with Escudero.

"Sapat na siguro na sabihin ko muna ngayon na, bagaman, ako ay medyo nadadamay, hangga’t maari, ayaw kung manghimasok sa hindi pagkaka-unawaan sa pagitan ng isang anak at kanyang mga magulang," Escudero said.

The Team PNoy bet, who is separated said he won't allow his work to be affected by his personal life, citing that he is not part of the show is industry.

“Hindi po ako showbiz. Hinihiwalay ko po at ‘di ko pinaghahalo ang trabaho ko sa personal kong buhay at lalong hindi ko po pinapayagan na manghimasok ang personal kong buhay sa aking trabaho,” Escudero explained.

He expressed hope that he and Evangelista as a couple would survive the controversy.

“Maayos at matatag ang samahan at ugnayan namin ni Heart atnitinuturing ko lamang ito bilang isang hamon at pagsubok sa relasyon namin kung saan, buo ang pag-asa ko na, ito ay malalampasan namin," he said.

source: mb.com.ph

Heart Evangelista and Senator Escudero in tender, ‘chizzy’ moment

Now we know why Senator Chiz Escudero’s Twitter account is called @saychiz.

An Instagram photo posted by Heart Evangelista with the accompanying post, “I miss you busybee @saychiz” is giving their fans goose bumps with its rather cheesy pose showing the couple alone in a private resort with the actress reaching up to kiss the re-electionist senator on the cheek.

Both are barefoot in the photo, with the senator wearing only a white T-shirt and shorts and Heart wearing her sleepwear. The photo also looks like it was taken early in the morning while the sun was about to rise.

In any case, it shows how very much in love the two are and if the reactions of the fans are any indication, it does not look like anyone’s disapproving.

Heart and Senator Chiz recently spent a vacation together in San Francisco, California where the picture was probably taken. As earlier reported, they have already talked about tying the knot. If the Senator has his way, the wedding will probably take place “within five years”.

For now, it seems like the couple is just happy spending quality private moments, especially now the “busybee” senator is once again back on the campaign trail.

source: interaksyon.com

On last day of talk show gig, Chiz admits Heart is his girlfriend

After playing coy for three months, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero finally admitted on Friday morning that actress Heart Evangelista is his girlfriend.

“I would like to think so, yes,” he told Kris Aquino after she asked him pointblank about his relationship status with the actress who is 15 and a half years his junior.

Heart is 27, while Chiz, whose marriage to Christine Flores was officially annulled earlier this year, will turn 43 on Wednesday, October 10.


Friday was the last day of his co-hosting stint on “Kris TV”, Kris’ morning talk show on ABS-CBN. Since it began in July, the senator had been tight-lipped whenever Kris asked if he was dating Heart.

“We are not dating. Sabi nila, ‘pag nasa edad 42 na ang mga lalake, ang tawag na dun ay meeting,” he told her on his first day as co-host.

However, Heart herself had been a little more forthcoming about the rumored romance recently. She told MJ Marfori of News5 backstage during the “Dolphy Alay Tawa” tribute concert on September 19: “We’re just enjoying each other’s company, but that’s just it for now.”

A week before that, the actress had sent her Twitter followers atwitter when she exclaimed, “I miss my Chiz Curls!”

Last Tuesday, Sen. Escudero filed his certificate of candidacy for his reelection bid next year. He is a guest candidate of both the administration coalition and the United Nationalist Alliance.

Election rules forbid him from maintaining a regular TV show. Kris vowed to ask him back to “Kris TV” in June next year after the election season is over.

source: interaksyon.com

Gourmet Chiz!

It is one thing to watch Senator Chiz Escudero grill someone at a Senate inquiry. It is another to listen to him talk in rapid-fire Pilipino to air his views at media conferences. But to see him roll up his sleeves -- and cook? That is definitely a surprising treat, one that was given to select members of the press during the launching of his commercial for the Frabelle food brand’s latest line of premium processed meat offerings such as Honey Ham, Yummy Hotdogs and Cheesedogs, Hickory Smoked Bacon, and Pork Ham Tocino.

True to his straight-to-the-point style, Chiz took on the task without any need for preliminaries. He gamely donned an apron and started sautéing his aromatics like a pro, all the while talking about his kitchen experience to a very rapt audience (who agreed amongst themselves that this was definitely not something you see every day). While the pan sizzled, the Senator, talked about his humble beginnings in the kitchen. His area of expertise, he says, is breakfast.

“That was his job,” his mother confirmed. Incidentally, his mom, Evelina, built a career in the academe in the field of Home Economics. In fact, she was recently-appointed member of the University of the Philippines Board of Regents and has been president of the UP Home Economics Alumni Association and the UP Alumni Association Hostel and Canteen Services, Inc. since 2008. Since she lectures on Home Economics, this surely meant that Chiz had to learn the rudiments of cookery under her tutelage.

“As a young boy, I bonded with her mostly in the kitchen. We cooked breakfast together. She taught me stuff, like how to correctly cut a chicken into pieces, how to debone and clean a fish. Kaya excuse me, marunong akong magsaing kahit walang rice cooker!” he quips.

He explored the culinary world further when he and his posse found themselves with nothing to do, so they enrolled in a cooking class. “It was at the First Gourmet Academy in Quezon City. I studied with my brother, my brother-in-law and my neighbor under Chef Mats Loo. For three months, he taught us the basics—like how to sauté a fish.” He enjoyed it so much, he says, that he enrolled under Chef Reggie Aspiras for further studies.

“It was on a dish-to-dish basis, and I now cook my personal favorites like adobo, paella and tinola, and some Spanish dishes like cochinillo -- which I haven’t perfected yet. My kids love my version of paella; they affectionately call it yellow rice. When I cook for them, I tone down the spiciness, because I myself like my food spicy, owing to my Bicolano background.” This, he says, while sprinkling a large amount of pepper on his dish dubbed Chiz Yummy Spaghetti. “When I was growing up, we did not use ground meat on our spaghetti, just lots of hotdogs,” he recalls of his very Pinoy pasta orientation.

So, yes, he was very used to eating meaty treats such as hotdogs, and when he was approached to endorse the Frabelle products, there was no hesitation on his part. “It was not even a formal invite. My friend Frannie Tiu-Laurel came over and asked me and our other friends to try their new products. I liked it and actually volunteered to endorse it for free – so, no, you will not find this on my SAL-N!” he jokes.

This actually says a lot about the product, because after an episode where something he ate did not agree with him, he started to become very careful with the food he eats. “That is also the reason why I like to cook for my kids so I know what they are eating is safe. In fact, ‘yan ang hindi ko pinagtitipiran sa kanila. Damit pinagtitipiran ko, kasi paglalakihan din nila ito. Pero hindi ang pagkain,” he explains.

The Senator says that safe, delicious, and affordable food for all Filipinos is his dream. “Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino ang masarap at malinis na pagkain. Hindi lang ito dapat pang mayaman, dapat ang mahihirap ay magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makakain ng pagkaing ganoon at marahil ito ay isa sa mga hamon sa gobyerno na sinusubukang gampanan sa ngayon. Sariling atin ang kumpanyang ito, gawa sa Pilipinas, mula sa Pilipino, na dapat tangkilikin at ipagmalaki.” With that, he enjoined the guests to try his yummy spaghetti.

The new Frabelle products are now available at leading grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide.

source: mb.com.ph