Calls for greater civic awareness have intensified following an eye-opening moment on television.
On February 28, 2025, Heart Aquino, a contestant on It's Showtime's "Sexy Babe" segment, sparked online discussions after admitting, "Hindi po ako masyado knowledgeable about sa COMELEC," referring to the Commission on Elections.
The clip quickly went viral, prompting COMELEC to step in and grab the chance to educate the youth about its functions.
Chairperson George Garcia extended an invitation to Heart for a private tour of the poll body’s main office at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, on March 4, 2025.
He told the Philippine News Agency, "It is for our full understanding as to why (she is unaware). It is our failure... we have to immediately rectify."
He stated that the same learning opportunity can be extended to other Filipinos who might also lack awareness about the commission’s role in elections.
Heart, for her part, saw this as an opportunity to turn things around.
After visiting the main office of COMELEC, she said:
“Mas naunawaan ko po yung meaning din po talaga...and kung ano pa po yung ginagawa nila.
"Ine-encourage ko po na mas alamin pa rin po natin yung trabaho po ng COMELEC.”
She may even step up as a youth ambassador, "Actually, kung titingnan ko po siya, it's an opportunity po siya and, yes po, willing naman po ako and to inspire the youth."
Heart promised to help raise civic awareness by using her social-media platforms.
“Since nandito na rin po ako, why not use po yung nakukuha kong atensiyon to enlighten din po yung mga kabataan na kagaya ko rin po na mas malaman po natin yung COMELEC po and sa votings po natin.”
Read: Sexy Babe candidate's COMELEC slip fuels call for civic education
WHO IS HEART AQUINO?
Early Life
Heart’s full name is Denisse Heart Aquino Bach.
She was born on August 24, 2004, making her a Virgo. This also means that she will be turning 21 years old before the year ends.
Raised in Angeles City, Pampanga, Heart takes great pride in being the breadwinner of her family.
In a TikTok video posted in October 2024, she said: “Big shout-out sa mga gaya kong breadwinners.
“Magkasakit, mapagod man, patuloy pa din para mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya natin. Fight lang nang fight.”
One of her TikTok videos also indicated that she was born to a German-American father and a Filipino mother.
However, she revealed during a press interview at the COMELEC office that she is already an orphan.
“Ulila na po ako. At an early age, naka-focus na po ako ngayon sa family ko. Ayun lang po yung pinakaiisip ko, kung paano ko po mabubuhay yung lola ko at kapatid ko po,” she said.
Education
Heart completed her junior high school education at Bonifacio V. Romero High School in Angeles City, earning a certificate of recognition with high honors.
She later moved to Systems Plus College Foundation (SPCF), a private, non-sectarian institution in Pampanga, for further studies.
Career
By profession, Heart is a freelance model mainly working in car showrooms.
She frequently collaborates with brands in the automotive industry, including MOTUL, a French company specializing in high-performance lubricants, as well as Honda and Suzuki, Japanese automotive giants known for their vehicles and motorcycles.
Her work often involves representing these brands at car and motor shows.
She is one of the faces of Touch and Glow Aesthetic Wellness Centre, which has main branches in Pampanga.
Pageantry
Despite her petite frame, standing at 5'2", Heart is an avid pageant competitor.
In December 2023, she proudly shared a montage of her journey, highlighting that she became a three-time titleholder in just four months.
She wished though that her parents had witnessed her achievements.
Before her appearance on It's Showtime, the last pageant she joined was the Mutya Ning Malabanias 2024, where she finished fourth runner-up.
Passion for Drag and Animals
Beyond modeling and pageantry, Heart is a supporter of the drag community.
Her TikTok account features clips of her enjoying music by drag queens Maxie Andreison and Khianna with a K.
Additionally, she follows all the contestants from the Drag Race Philippines franchise on Instagram.
Heart is also a devoted fur parent to two Shih Tzus and three Ragdoll cats.
She often posts about their feeding time and regularly receives pet products from lifestyle brands for review.
Heart's TV Debut
Heart made her mark on television in February 2025 as a contestant on It's Showtime's "Sexy Babe" segment.
During the competition's semi-finals on February 28, the show's main host, Vice Ganda, asked her to deliver a message to COMELEC.
Her reply, as we all know, turned her into an online sensation.
But during the press interview, she clarified, "Hindi lang po ako masyadong knowledgeable, pero meron naman po akong kaalaman. Na-mental block lang po ako kasi first appearance ko po sa TV."
Read: It's Showtime contestant more informed after COMELEC visit