Heart Evangelista


Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco-Escudero, better known as Heart Evangelista, is a Filipina actress, TV host, visual media artist, philanthropist, socialite and currently serving as the first lady of the province of Sorsogon.

Early life

She is the daughter of Reynaldo Evangelista Ongpauco, a restaurant magnate who belongs to a Chinese-Filipino clan, and Maria Cecilia del Gallego Payawal, whose family is from the Bicol province of Camarines Sur. Evangelista is the last born child, with siblings from both sides of her parents. She was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. before moving back to the Philippines in her early teens.
She started her career at the age of 13 as a commercial model and actress.

Career

2000–2004

From 2000 to early 2004, She was paired with John Prats on the show G-mik, Trip, Ang Tanging Ina, My First Romance and Berks. During the success of their loveteam, they won as the of 2003, from 33rd Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Evangelista also won the Best New Female Personality awards from Star Awards for Movies and Star Awards for TV. She also won Texter's and Listener's Choice at the Himig Handog Awards for her single "Love Has Come My Way"... She released the single "Tell Me" in Australia where it peaked at number 18 on the charts.

2004–2007

In 2004, after four years, Prats and Evangelista's popular real and reel tandem ended and the management decided to pair her with Geoff Eigenmann in the movie Bcuz of U. Both of them also appeared on the TV series Hiram, with co-stars Kris Aquino, Dina Bonnevie and Anne Curtis for which she earned a Star Awards Best Actress nomination.
In 2005, Jericho Rosales once mentioned Heart's name, saying that he wanted her to be his leading lady in the series Panday. There were many women who auditioned for this role, but they chose Heart to play the role of Eden, the love interest of Tristan. Their tandem turned into a serious relationship and lasted 3 years.
In early 2007, she renewed her ties with ABS-CBN and was under a per project basis with her manager Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano. She finished a sineserye for the station, the remake of the movie Hiram na Mukha, and appeared briefly on Pangarap Na Bituin. She also starred in the reformatted version of Your Song under the title "Muntik Na Kitang Minahal".

2008–present: Transfer to GMA Network

In early 2008, She signed a GMA Artist Center exclusive contract under GMA Network and she started her first show ' as a leading lady of Richard Gutierrez.
She played a role as one of the twins in the fantaserye Luna Mystika. Evangelista also appeared on her first afternoon TV soap Sine Novela: Ngayon at Kailanman which aired its final episode in September 2009. In late 2009 - early 2010, she starred in a primetime Koreanovela TV series, Full House. Evangelista hosts the musical variety show on GMA, Party Pilipinas.
She appeared in the Christmas reality show ' on GMA Network, and she played a dwarf on Dwarfina. On late 2011, she signed an exclusive contract under Viva Entertainment.
In 2012, she starred alongside actresses Alessandra De Rossi and Lovi Poe in the TV series Legacy which became a highly acclaimed television series throughout its run. She also was included in the afternoon drama Forever opposite co-star Geoff Eigennmann. She then started her next project on Luna Blanca Book 3 onwards till its finale. The show is a sequel of her last soap Luna Mystika in 2008 of the same genre and in 2013, she was reunited with De Rossi in the Afternoon soap Magkano Ba ang Pag Ibig? under the direction of Maryo J. de los Reyes. In 2015, she and Legacy co-star Lovi Poe were reunited in the soap Beautiful Strangers, a melodrama. This was Evangelista's second time working with veteran actress Dina Bonnevie in a series with a huge ensemble cast. In 2016, she was reunited with Dwarfina co-star Dennis Trillo in the Primetime Rom Com Juan Happy Love Story. In September 2016, Evangelista experienced a series of depression after the passing of her mentor and 'close friend', former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
In 2017, Evangelista starred in Mulawin vs. Ravena. She also starred in My Korean Jagiya, paired with former U-KISS member Alexander Lee Eusebio. The show aired with a total of 105 episodes. During the 2018 State of the Nation Address in the Philippine Congress, Evangelista wore the iconic rainbow badge in support for equality in the Philippines and the passage of the pro-LGBT SOGIE Equality Bill.
She was featured by Kevin Kwan's Real Crazy Rich Asians while staying in Paris during a high couture week. Evangelista was one of People Asia's “People of the Year 2018-2019".

Visual artist

As an accomplished painter, Evangelista had sold out solo exhibitions from various galleries such as the Ayala Museum and Galerie Joaquin. She uses her real name, Love Marie, in her paintings. Her first solo exhibition was held at the Ayala Museum in 2014, entitled I am Love Marie: The Art and Works of Love Marie Ongpauco. On the same year, she participated in the Visual Arts Festival through the Focus on the Arts: Art in Transit exhibitions. She also held her second solo exhibition on the same year at Galerie Joaquin through her Love Marie gallery. Her third solo exhibition, Love Marie: A Solo Exhibition of a World Class Filipina, was held at the Raffles Hotel's Chan Hampe Calleries in Singapore in 2015. She also collaborated with Rocio Olbes's children's book, Daughter of the Sun and the Moon, and participated in the Art Fair Philippines 2015: maARTe and PortrAYAL : Portraits for Freedom Big & Small Art Co.
In 2016, she collaborated with designer Mark Bumgarner through the LMxMB: when art meets fashion, as well as with A.A. Patawaran through the book HaiNAku and other poems. Her fourth solo exhibition was held at the Ayala Museum through her Oceans Apart gallery. Her iconic hand painted bags were also introduced on the same year at BMW BGC through her exhibition, Carry your heART. In 2017, she again collaborated with A.A. Patawan at the S Maison Conrad Hotel through the HaiNAku 1st Anniversary Exhibit. She also held, HEART & Style, a public exhibition of works of art at Fashion Hall of SM Mega Mall. In April 2018, she launched another art exhibit at ArtistSpace Gallery of the Ayala Museum. On the same year, she again collaborated with A.A. Patawaran through the book, Manila Was A Long Time Ago, which featured her pet dog named Panda. Her "Follow Your Heart" artwork was featured in the February 2019 US edition of Harper's Bazaar.

Charity and advocacy

Her foundation Heart Can aims to help children with respiratory diseases. Her foundation has been active since its inception and has helped thousands of children with special needs. Heart is also an LGBT icon and a recipient of Lagablab Network's Equality Champion Award in the Philippines, being a strong supporter for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which provides protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. A known international painter, Heart is also active in the artistic community, notably in Asia. She is also a spokesperson for PAWS or, launching various campaigns for the organization such as the Have a Heart for Aspins campaign. She admitted in an interview that she was traumatized at a young age after seeing their neighbor slaughtering some dogs. When they told the authorities about the killings, her report was just made fun of. Heart has also been supporting the Balikatan Thalassemia for children with rare diseases, Corridor of Hope for children with cancer and the Cerebral Palsy Association of Sorsogon where her husband hails from.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNetwork
2019StarStruckherself as one of the judgesGMA Network
2017–2018My Korean JagiyaGuadalupe Immaculada "Gia" AsuncionGMA Network
2017Mulawin vs. RavenaAlwinaGMA Network
2017Follow Your HeartHerselfGMA Network
2016Juan Happy Love StoryHappy Villanueva-dela CostaGMA Network
2016FoodTripHerselfStar World
2015Beautiful StrangersKristine de JesusGMA Network
2014Weddings TVHerselfGMA News TV
2013–2014Magkano Ba ang Pag-ibig?Eloisa AguirreGMA Network
2013Sunday All StarsCo-hostGMA Network
2013WagasSenator Miriam Defensor-SantiagoGMA News TV
2013Foreveryoung Adora del Prado / IsadoraGMA Network
2012–2015'HerselfGMA Network
2012–2013Watta JobHerselfGMA Network
2012Luna BlancaAdult BlancaGMA Network
2012LegacyDiana CalcetasGMA Network
2011DwarfinaDwarfina / Yna / FinaGMA Network
2010Langit sa Piling MoMargarita "Marj" Rosales / Marietta FloresGMA Network
2009–2010Full HouseMaria Jesusa "Jessie" Asuncion-LazatinGMA Network
2009Sine Novela Presents: Ngayon at KailanmanAyra Noche-Torres / Ayra Noche-VillaflorGMA Network
2009Fashionistas by HeartHostQ
2008–2009Luna MystikaLuna Sagrado-Samaniego / Celestina Sagrado†GMA Network
2008Dear Friend: Edison at AnnaAnnaGMA Network
2008'Emily San JuanGMA Network
2008Your Song: Muntik Na Kitang MinahalArahABS-CBN
2007Your Song: Sana Ngayong PaskoMelanieABS-CBN
2007Pangarap na BituinCassandra "Cassie" SalcedoABS-CBN
2007Sineserye Presents: Hiram na MukhaCarissa de Leon / Alicia RoldanABS-CBN
2007Maalaala Mo Kaya: SingsingKaye ChuaABS-CBN
2007Your Song: With YouAschelleABS-CBN
2006Your Song: Ngayong GabiMissyABS-CBN
2006Philippine Idol ♥ Philippine Idol: ExclusiveHostABC
2006Close Up to Fame: Season 2HostABS-CBN
2006Maalaala Mo Kaya: LamparaMaricelABS-CBN
2006Your Song: WishRiaABS-CBN
2006Ang Panday: Book 2Eden Roxas / CamiaABS-CBN
2005Ang Panday: Book 1Eden RoxasABS-CBN
2005Close Up to Fame: Season 1HostABS-CBN
2005Maalaala Mo Kaya: PaintingEmily RoxasABS-CBN
2004–2005HiramMargaret BenipayoABS-CBN
2004–2006ASAP FanaticCo-hostABS-CBN
2003Tara Tena: Share A Home, Share A HeartAnnaABS-CBN
2003–2005Ang Tanging InaPortia "Por" MacaspacABS-CBN
2003Maalaala Mo Kaya: Ferry BoatDianneABS-CBN
2003Maalaala Mo Kaya: Flat TireLeiABS-CBN
2003Wansapanataym Presents: ThumbgelinaLiit / Laki / Angelina / ThumbgelinaABS-CBN
2003Heart Evangelista 18th Birthday SpecialHerselfABS-CBN
2002Maalaala Mo Kaya: SanggolABS-CBN
2002–2004OK Fine, 'To Ang Gusto Nyo!YokoABS-CBN
2002–2004BerksGwynethABS-CBN
2002–2007MyxVJMyx
2002–2003Arriba, Arriba!Monina ArribaABS-CBN
2001Maalaala Mo Kaya: Exchange GiftIrene AcostaABS-CBN
2001Maalaala Mo Kaya: BurdaJenny CastanedaABS-CBN
2001Da Pilya en Da PilotHeartABS-CBN
2001Da Pilya en Da GuardHeartABS-CBN
2001–2007ASAPCo-host / PerformerABS-CBN
1999–2002G-mikMissy SandejasABS-CBN
---ABS-CBN

Film

YearTitleRoleStudio
2015Felix ManaloCristina Villanueva-ManaloViva Films, Iglesia ni Cristo
2014Trophy WifeGwenViva Films
2012Sosy ProblemsClaudia OrtegaGMA Films
2011Temptation IslandVirginia P.GMA Films, Regal Entertainment
2010Inno Sotto's Museshort film by Albert Martinez
2009Nobody, Nobody But... JuanYoung AidaRVQ Productions
2009Stephanie UyRegal Entertainment
2008Ay, AyengAyengAloha Pearl Films
2004Bcuz Of UCaraStar Cinema
2003My First RomanceJackieStar Cinema
2003Ang Tanging InaPortia "Por" MontecilloStar Cinema
2002JologsCameo as pedestrianStar Cinema
2001TripFayeStar Cinema

Theater

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

YearAlbum
2005OPM Acoustic Hits 2
2004OPM Acoustic Hits
2003My First Romance OST
2002Himig Handog Love Songs

Music videos

YearTitleArtist
2009Bahay KuboHale
2007Tuwing Nakikita KaJericho Rosales
2003Please Be Careful With My HeartHeart Evangelista
2003OneHeart Evangelista
2002Love Has Come My WayHeart Evangelista

Art exhibits and collaborations

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated WorkResult
201630th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Drama ActressBeautiful Strangers
201428th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Female Showbiz Oriented Talk Show HostStartalk
201058th FAMAS AwardsBest Supporting Actress
20107th Golden Screen AwardsBest Supporting Actress
201026th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesBest Supporting Actress
201012th Gawad PASADOBest Supporting Actress
2010Myx Music Awards 2010Favorite Guest Appearance in a Music VideoBahay Kubo
20092009 Metro Manila Film FestivalBest Supporting ActressNobody, Nobody But... Juan
20092009 Metro Manila Film FestivalBest Supporting Actress
200923rd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Lifestyle Show HostFashionistas by Heart
200957th FAMAS AwardsBest ActressAy, Ayeng
2007PMPC Star Awards for MoviesFemale Face of the Night
200519th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Drama ActressHiram
2004FAMAS AwardsGerman Moreno Youth Achievement Award
200434th GMMSF Box-Office AwardsPrincess of RP Movies
2003Awit AwardsBest Performance by a New Female Artist
2003Asia Pacific Excellence & Handog Kay Ina AwardsYouth Achiever for Arts & Entertainment
2003Ivan Entertainment Productions: Circle of 10 Modeling AgencyCelebrity Endorser of the Year
200333rd GMMSF Box-Office AwardsMost Popular Love Team of RP Movies
2003Himig Handog AwardsAlbum Platinum Award
2002Himig Handog AwardsListener's Choice Award
2002Himig Handog AwardsTexter's Choice Award
2002PMPC Star Awards for MoviesBest New Movie ActressTrip
2001PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest New TV PersonalityG-mik

Personal life

She is married to Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, the incumbent governor of Sorsogon. The pair were introduced by Evangelista's 'mentor', the late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who was a close friend of her mother. On February 15, 2015, the couple wed in a private ceremony at the Balesin Island Club in the Philippines. It was in the same year that Evangelista adopted a puppy saved by her father from the streets of Batangas. She named the puppy Panda, also sometimes referred to as Panpan. In May 2018, Evangelista announced that she and Escudero were expecting their first child together. In the same month, however, one of the twins she was carrying was lost to a miscarriage. In June 2018, Evangelista announced that she suffered yet another miscarriage, losing the last of her twins.