HEART EVANGELISTA is so proud of her new primetime series, “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon”.
“Naiyak ako while watching the trailer kasi it reminded me of how hard we all worked during our lock in taping, missing all our loved ones na nalayo sa amin,” she says.
“I got emotional nang kong makita kong ang ganda nung kinalabasan ng lahat ng paghihirap namin.”
Because of the show, she had to forego some invites from abroad, like the Cannes Filmfest.
“I felt it’s the time for me to prioritize this for GMA and for Sorsogon. I’m 36, I don’t know how I’ll look if I’m 38. I gave it my 100% to make sure it’s really good. I don’t know kung last ko na ito. But after this, I will take a breather and concentrate on something else.”
This is a pet project for her.
“When I was living in Sorsogon for two months, naisip ko, this is a hidden paradise. Ano kaya, papayag kaya sila sa GMA gumawa ng show focusing on Sorsogon?
"I just suggested it to them, but didn’t demand. It was just an idea I had, only if they wanted to lang naman, but nagulat ako pumayag sila.
And I’m glad GMA is now giving them the spotlight. I now feel this is the best show I’ve ever been proud of.”
What’s the reaction of her husband, Chiz Escudero, who’s Sorsogon governor?
“Nagulat siya, ha? Totoo ba? And he said that’s a great idea as it will surely help boost tourism in the province, not only local but also the whole world with GMA Pinoy TV.
"But nanibago siya kasi lock in kami, so hindi kami nagkikita. But he’s so supportive, all the people of Sorsogon, they were very warm in helping all of us during our stay, including the businesses there.”
In the show, she plays Celeste, who left Sorsogon and her childhood sweetheart, Paolo Contis, to try her luck in the big city. She became a top fashion designer in Manila and got a new boyfriend, Richard Yap. So how is it working with them?
“Si Paolo, we’ve worked several times so we’re comfortable. Richard is such a gentleman, mahiyain, tahimik, but after a while, he loosened up and I enjoyed working with him.
"We all became friends along with the other cast members while working in this bubble taping. I acted as their host, para kong bata. I’m so proud and excited to act like their tour guide to show them around.”
For her role as a fashion designer, she is able to make use of all the gorgeous high couture outfits from various top designers.
“I’m very nervous but we’re all really very meticulous in every scene to show all the details, specially in the high fashion part.
"Sa bagay, everyone knows I love fashion, so watch out for all the beautiful dresses and gowns and all the accessories we will be using in the show. We really leveled up our game to show how beautiful the project is and everyone really contributed their part.”
Since “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” is about a woman who returns to her hometown, was there ever a time she felt she wants to return to someone?
“At the end of the day, hindi naman yung tao ang binabalikan mo kundi ang puso mo, because you need to be whole again and with much discernment, you decide where your heart really belongs.
"In our life, we leave a little bit of our heart in various places along the way. We meet different people for a reason and you realize that in your lifetime, it’s meant to be exactly the way it was.
"Kasama yun sa pagma-mature mo as a person. It makes you more human. But wherever life takes you, you should always remember kung sino ka talaga.
"It’s important to have a child like faith in all you do, it’s important to never lose that gentleness in you. And you will see all that when you watch ‘I Left My Heart in Sorsogon’, so don’t miss it when starts airing on Monday, November 15.”
