Heart Evangelista defends herself amid scrutiny over lifestyle, absence during Sept. 21 rally
Heart Evangelista couldn't help but get emotional as she addressed criticisms on her lifestyle as well as her absence during the Sept. 21 rallies amid the ongoing scandal of anomalous flood-control projects.
In a now-expired livestream on her Instagram account, the actress defended herself amid critics questioning her lavish lifestyle and connections to politics brought about by the corruption issue that has been hounding the Philippines for weeks now.
"When you start coming for my professional integrity, I crumble into pieces because we all have dreams. I have been working since I was 13 years old. That's 27 years of working non-stop," she said. "I missed a lot of opportunities in life. I missed having normal friends; I missed having a lot of high school friends. I didn't go to prom because I worked."
Evangelista said that it hurts that her work is diminished and her hard work becomes "nothing" because she is now "a mere political wife."
She went on to share how the late senator, Miriam Defensor Santiago, had demanded that she get a prenup with her husband, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, so that they would have a complete separation of assets.
"What is mine is mine, what's his is his," Evangelista pointed out.
On the issue of her absence in the anti-corruption rallies, which were attended by her fellow celebrities, the local star asserted that she would have joined in the protests if not for the threats made against her by her bashers.
"Why wasn't I in the rally? You think I don't want to be in the rally? You think I don't have a voice? You think I'm not frustrated? Pikon din naman ako ah. Bakit, di ako Pinoy? I'm not in the rally is because a lot of people said na huhubaran niyo ako kung pupunta ako sa rally. How cruel can you be? What did I do?" Evangelista lamented.
"I've been nothing but be a hardworking citizen. I have complied... my job may be unconventional, my job may be different, but my job has opened doors to a lot of other artists and I'm proud of what I have," she continued.
She highlighted how proud she is of being able to promote fashion products and stated that this is where she makes her money nowadays, sharing how she knew she had "something else to offer" more than making movies.
Evangelista went on to say how her parents had disapproved of her relationship with Escudero as he was "not financially good enough."
"So my number one power was my job. My number one power was [that] I can be my own woman, I can stand on my own two feet, I don't need anybody," she said. "That's why I am so upset that you come for my professional integrity... I went to work every goddamn day, and I am proud of what I am today."
She also insisted that she has a lot to say regarding the corruption issue and slammed those who thought that she doesn't have a "burning flame in her heart."
Because of this, she decided that she would not be attending any shows for Fashion Week for the time being.
"I don't think it's the right time for anyone, especially from our country, to be going to Fashion Week because I think we need to be here. Not necessarily be in the rally, but it's important that we open our eyes and we truly become one and really see what's going on and see what we can do," Heart said.
With all the allegations, Evangelista warned that she will be taking legal action against those maligning her.
"I have been having meetings with my attorney, and definitely I will not take it sitting down what some people have been saying about me, not even allegedly," she said.
The actress ended her livestream by expressing her gratitude to those who have lent an ear to her and continued to support her despite the noise.
Evangelista became the target of criticisms after the alleged corruption in the flood-control projects prompted the public to scrutinize the lifestyles of relatives of politicians and contractors, who were branded as "nepo babies."
Her husband, who stepped down as Senate President earlier this month, has also been mired in several issues, including flood control project corruption allegations.
Lawrence Lubiano, Escudero's friend and top campaign contributor, was the president of Centerways Construction and Development Incorporated, one of the top contractors of the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Lubiano reportedly donated P30 million to Escudero during the 2022 senatorial elections.
