Early success once overwhelmed Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love star Heart Evangelista. And now that her career is back on track the pretty chinita has learned her lesson well and would rather focus on her work than sit on her hard-earned laurels.

"Kasi pag na-experience mong nawala ang lahat kahit konting masarap you just savor the feeling then you let it go because you don't want it to go to your head. Kasi siyempre kahit you learn so much in life may point din na baka lumaki ang ulo mo ulit and natatakot ako na masabihan ulit ng daddy ko na lumaki ulo ko," Heart explained last December 8 in a press conference held at Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City.

Heart's career is currently on an upswing. Aside from Mano Po, Regal Entertainment's official entry to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival, Heart is also seen in GMA-7's primetime series Full House opposite Richard Gutierrez.

Her portrayal in the independent film Ay Ayeng—an adaptation of the novel Maestra Ester written by Abdon Noviza and Lica Lazaro— earned Heart the FAMAS Best Actress award last June.

Heart said about the feat: "Fineel ko lang siya for one week then tinabi ko na 'yong trophy, hindi na sa tabi ng kama ko, doon na siya sa cabinet para makalimutan ko na ulit."

MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME. The downturn in Heart's career was blamed mainly on her relationship with fellow actor Jericho Rosales. Many felt that the romance harmed not just their respective professional careers but also their personal relationships with loved ones.

It was no secret that Heart's strict, over-protective parents were against Jericho. The young couple, however, opted to fight the odds hoping to gain the approval of Heart's immediate family.

Heart confessed that her decision to go against her parents wish to end her relationship with Echo was brought about by immaturity and being blinded by love. Now that they're no longer a couple, Heart finally had enough space to look back and pinpoint her mistakes.

"Siyempre napagdaanan ko na rebellious daughter ako and just like Stephanie [her role in Mano Po] meron din siyang mga reasons. But then again, no matter what it is, they are your family and you always have to understand where they're coming from. Iba-iba lang ang interpretation ng bawat magulang kung paano nila tinuturuan ang anak nila. At that time [when she and Jericho were still an item] especially when I was 19, I have a mind of a 16-year-old, hindi ko maintindihan pero ngayon naiintindihan ko na 'yong point nila."