Actress Heart Evangelista described to the entertainment press how her life has been after reconciliation with her father—restaurant magnate Reynaldo Ongpauco—late last year.
"It's much better. I'm even closer to my dad now," Heart told the entertainment press who attended the media junket for Your Song: Muntik Na Kitang Minahal at 9501 restaurant in ABS-CBN compound yesterday, January 29.
The 22-year-old actress continued, "Like, there are so many things that I can tell my dad now that I couldn't tell him before. I really think na talagang okay din yung nangyari. Hindi ko sinasabi na parang dyina-justify ko yung nangyari, hindi. Pero mabuti na rin na naging ganun ako, medyo ano ako noong time na yun, because it needed to happen."
Heart also admitted that when she and her father reconciled, she had little awkward moments with her family, especially with her dad.
"May ilangan talaga," Heart said. "Kunwari simple things like, there's a time parang noong Christmas, shinopping niya [her father] kami ng mga bags. Hindi ko matanggap kasi parang feeling ko... Nahihiya naman ako na pinag-shopping pa niya ako 'tapos kakabati lang namin. So may mga ganun. Pero yung dad ko kasi yung tipong kung hindi mo i-accept yung ibibigay, magagalit siya sa iyo. Now it's okay na."
Heart said that the reconciliation has changed her relationship, not only with her dad, but also with her mother. She said her parents are not as strict now as they were before.
Heart explained, "What's nice about my family, I think, noong naghiwalay kami, mayroon din kaming mga natutunan. Hindi ko sinasabing may mali sila, pero mayroon din silang mga naintindihan. So now, they don't really demand.
"Actually, nag-a-advice sila, ganyan, they ask me what's next. They ask me, of course, they're my parents. Pero di na sila yung, ‘Kailangan mong gawin 'to, kailangan mong gawin 'to.'"
THE BOYS IN HEART'S LIFE. During the interview, Heart related how her boyfriend Jericho Rosales, or popularly known as Echo, encouraged her to make the first move to resolve things with her dad.
"Nung nangyari yung sa parents ko, para sa akin, di ba, parang I was somebody else? Nagpapadala na lang yung lalaki. But Echo was insistent that, ‘They're your parents,'" said Heart.
Heart admitted that growing up in the States taught her values that are different from the Filipino culture. She was grateful that Echo helped her change some of it, which led to her decision to approach her dad.
Heart explained, "For me, because pinalaki ako sa States, dahil lahat ng mga tao doon independent, ganyan... Kahit hindi ako independent, kahit hindi ako mature, nag-iisip ako na parang, ‘Bakit, kaya ko rin naman na mag-isa rin naman ako.' Wala talaga akong family [values] na parang kailangan ko silang i-respect.
"Kahit noong nagsisimba kami, from time to time, kunwari may patama yung pastor, siya [Jericho] parang, ‘Sabi sa 'yo, Babe, puntahan mo na.' Because of his constant try to bring me back and tell me to go back to my parent, I did."
Heart also mentioned that her dad is slowly trying to accept Jericho.
The young actress then told a short story about it. Heart's uncle apparently gave her dad a pair of Marc Ecko shoes as a gift during the New Year's celebration. Upon seeing the brand name, Mr. Ongpauco blurted, "Naku, may-ari 'ata nito si Echo."
Heart felt glad when she heard that from her dad. "Dati kasi, puro ‘Si ano, si ano.' Hindi name-mention yung name. It's the first time he did joke," said Heart
With this, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked if her dad would attend the planned housewarming for Echo's new house.
Heart replied, "To be frank, I don't think he's gonna attend. I think it's not yet now."
But Heart said that she and Echo are willing to wait for the right moment. "I mean, if it feels that it's not time, I do respect that. Kahit pa sabihin mong i-five years pa ng tatay ko 'yan? I respect that because we did something that was wrong. And it's up to him, when he's ready," ended Heart.