Chiz Escudero: I am not using Heart

Chiz and Heart getting serious?

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero knew what he was getting into when he joined politics – that his personal life will also be revealed, piece by interesting piece.

Escudero’s separation and eventual annulment from wife of ten years, Christine Elizabeth “Tintin” Flores, became fodder for gossip. More so now that he is with a movie and television personality, Heart Evangelista.

In an interview with ANC, Escudero said he and Evangelista have been together for six months already, a month after his annulment was finalized in June 2012.

Asked if they are now in a “serious” relationship, the 43-year-old senator said: “Lahat naman ng pumapasok sa relasyon, gusto serious. Wala namang pumapasok sa relasyon na naglalaro lang at hindi seryoso. Ang lungkot naman nun.”

Escudero seems to be more comfortable now talking about his love life, which he could have adapted since he became a guest host for Kris Aquino’s television show "KrisTV."

He said he remembers being asked in a dialogue if the masses have the right to meddle in public officials’ personal affairs, he said: “Sana wala.” When asked when can the public only do so, he said: “Sana never.”

He explained that “it’s weird and strange what people think is their right to ask their public officials.” Still, public personalities need to accept this established fact already, he said.

“At siguro dapat tanggapin naming lahat yun na bahagi ng buhay ng isang naninilbihan sa gobyerno ang sumagot ng mga tanong tungkol sa personal sa kanyang buhay sa ayaw man nya o sa gusto, may kinalaman man sa trabaho niya o wala. Lalo na kung may kinalaman sa trabaho,” he said.

A user?

He himself knows that his romance with Evangelista has been dogged with criticisms, including using her for his campaign and political strategies.

He admitted talking to Evangelista about her joining the campaign for the May polls. Still, “she has her own schedule. She has her own obligations. And I don’t want and say na may gamitan o naggagamitan,” he said.

He said Evangelista was already a celebrity in her own right before he met her. “To be fair to her, and to me too, si Heart na sya bago ko pa sya nakilala. Whoever and what she is, her status in the showbiz community and in media, ganoon din naman ako maski na papaano bago ko sya nakilala. May narating naman na kami sa isa’t isa naming field bago namin nakilala ang isa’t isa at hindi na kailangang magtulakan pa o magbuhatan pa.”

As much as possible, he said he wants to separate his personal life with his work. “Usually, that’s where the trouble, when the trouble, troubles will start to come up. Either sa trabaho, kapag nakialam ang personal o sa personal kapag nakialam ang trabaho.”

In the open

Nonetheless, the relationship is now out for all to see, especially via the social media. Evangelista has been posting their pictures via Instagram, leading the television host to comment: “This is like a major woman in love. Hindi mo ba iniisip na bigyan ‘to ng helmet?”

Escudero said he is also unsure of himself sometimes. He said he even asked Evangelista several times before, “Why are you giving me the time of day?”

In the six months of their relationship, he said they already had their share of misunderstandings. He said they also even talked about Evangelista’s ex-boyfriend, Daniel Matsunaga, at some point.

“Nag-usap kami dati, sabi ko, first time namin mag-usap, ‘Nag-gi-gym ka ba?’ sabi nya, 'Yeah, ikaw?' …Napag-usapan namin ‘yung dati nyang boyfriend, 'What does he do?' “Model,' 'Nag-gi-gym siguro sya?' then, 'Oo, ikaw nag-gi-gym?' sabi ko, 'Hindi.'"

He said he is also not sure what Evangelista saw in him.
“Minsan in-interview sya, ang sagot nya: ‘It’s not about the looks.’ Sabi ko: ‘Salamat ah.’”