Jericho Rosales arrived with flowers and a cake at 9501 restaurant in ABS-CBN yesterday. He was there to surprise his girlfriend Heart Evangelista—who at that time was having a press con. Heart will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, February 14.
In separate interviews, Heart and Jericho chatted with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) about their past, their relationship, and their plans for the future.
LAST YEAR'S CONTROVERSIES. Heart and Jericho, or Echo as showbiz folks would call him, went through a lot of controversies last year.
First, tabloid reports have feasted on rumors that Heart got pregnant and had an abortion. Second, talk has it that both Heart and Echo have become snobs and prima donnas. Third, it has also been reported that Heart's parents objected in her relationship with Echo. Lastly, there has also been speculation that fans weren't buying the Heart-Echo tandem.
A year later, Heart proudly says that she learned a lot from the issues thrown at her, but admits that she doesn't want it to happen again.
She explained, "I don't think I wanna repeat it again ‘cause it was hard, but I wouldn't want to erase it in my life. I mean let's admit, I really went through a lot. Parang ‘boom boom boom boom!' Feeling ko kung naging iresponsable ako, you would see me in bars, nagwala na siguro ako. Di ba, ‘yon yung escape ng mga young ones nowadays?
"But I needed to, I really needed to go through bugbugan stage because ‘yong wisdom naman na nakuha ko, di ba? Parang ang laki ng tinanda ko dahil doon. I was 20 but I had the mind of a 16 year old, so I need to get through that. It was needed."
Heart also revealed that she hasn't completely reconciled with her parents yet, especially her dad.
She remarked, "With my parents, like before I gave a little bit ano... I think hayaan ko muna mag-heal-heal. Like before, they would get bothered reading [reports], so bago pa man namin maayos ‘yong mga bagay, umiinit na ulo ng dad ko. Naloloka na siya, di ba? So hayaan na muna natin. It takes time. I admit my mistakes. I just wanted to learn to do things on my own."
Heart said she is slowly fixing her relationship with her parents. Although she hasn't been speaking with her dad, she has an open communication with her mom.
She admitted, "I really am a daddy's girl. I totally understand why he is like that. I've made mistakes too because you know, I was in that stage na I wanted to learn. So you know, this time, I'm making good choices."
Echo isn't giving details on the issue. He simply said, "I will not lie about that. Maybe I shouldn't talk about it. You know, nothing bad is happening. It's a little bit silent so I'd rather keep it like that. I'm gonna give you a big surprise next time. Some say time heals all wounds. Let's see..."
HEART'S DAY. Heart will be celebrating her 21st birthday on February 14, Valentine's Day. She says she still has no idea what her boyfriend—whom she fondly calls "Babe"—is cooking up.
"Gusto ko surprise," said the birthday girl. "Actually 'pag birthday ko, selfish ako dahil Valentine's day ang birthday ko, so dapat nasa akin ang spotlight. Bahala na, surprise, surprise na lang ang hinihintay ko."
Last year, the couple spent V-day in Hawaii. This year, Heart said, they will probably spend it here in the country.
Jericho kept mum. He said, "I have a little something. Definitely, I have a little something. Ako pa!"
Heart has only one wish on her coming birthday. She remarked, "Wish? You know I used to have a lot of wishes, but all I need, continue lang na magkaroon ako ng peace of mind, everything will be well.
"Before, I had so many things going for me but I wasn't at peace. I was a teenager. I wanted to do this and that, hindi ko na-appreciate. Now, everything is not so dami, mas naa-appreciate ko siya. Mas masaya ako."
Meanwhile, Echo has another wish for his love. He revealed, "She's a little bit torn ngayon sa mga decisions niya. She wants to be a veterinarian and I still has to find the time to study. At the same time, I hope she'll realize na the fans are, you know, gusto nila ‘yong... Ayaw siyempre nilang mawala si Heart.
"If she deserved the kind of career she had before, I think knowing her now in a deeper way, parang she's deserving to be there again where she [once was]. She's a better person now. So I wish her guidance from the Lord. But it's not bad at all, if she wants to be a vet, I'll be here."
MARRIAGE? Heart wore a diamond ring on her left ring finger. PEP asked if it was an engagement ring.
She replied, "This one, gift niya sa akin 'to last year, ‘yong first year anniversary namin. No engagement yet, but don't worry, we'll announce kung meron."
Heart said they don't have wedding plans yet. But when she was asked if she's ready for marriage, she simply gave a one-word answer: "Anytime."
Meanwhile, Echo disclosed that he is already building a house in Loyola Grand Villas. He described it as a four-level '60s beach house with a pool, roof garden, recording studio, gym, and office. He says he has bought the 1,000 square-meter property a while back, but has only recently decided to put the land into good use. He also revealed that the house is set to cost him an eight-figure amount.
Is the house a sign that Heart and he will soon be settling down?
Jericho replied, "No plans yet. Well, we always talk about things. No pressure sa akin. Being a man is really tough. You have to deal with so many things and she understands that... She was just saying in a way, which I can also say, I'm not looking for anybody else. I'm really preparing for a future.
"It's like this, I wouldn't say that it's not for Heart, but I wouldn't say yes that it's for her. You know what I mean? I don't wanna say naman na baka may dumating pang iba ‘cause wala na."
He explained, "I am, for example, I wanna be a, medyo selfish pero I wanna be secured. Gusto ko maging secured ako sa pagkalalaki ko na ‘yong tipong if dumating ‘yong time na I wanna settle, [alangan naman] that's the only time na I'm gonna move pa lang? I wanna be ready before I decide and when I decide, there, di ba? Traditional pa rin ako."