HEART EVANGELISTA
Artist and social-media star, in Louis Vuitton.
She entered show business as a bright-eyed 14-year-old, endearing herself to Filipino audiences through her roles in youth-oriented television programmes and films. Artist, advocate and entrepreneur Heart Evangelista has evolved into one of the most sought-after style icons, with a 4.9 million-strong Instagram following. She enjoys chronicling her glamorous day-to-day activities on social media along with updates on work-related matters and philanthropic endeavours, local and international travels, and family life.
She has become a close friend to many big names, too, including Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan and fashion designer Christian Louboutin, who often sends her shoes with personalised notes and sketches. Evangelista herself is a talented artist, having mounted successful exhibitions of her work in Manila and Singapore.
“Doing what I love for 23 years is an achievement for me and to be collaborating with different brands that I love is truly special,” she says. “It’s a gift that I’m able to work with different people and learn from the experience. And also as an artist, one of my biggest achievements is to be able to showcase my art through exhibits and collaborations—just getting to share my art with people is something I’ll never take for granted.”
As wife to Sorsogon governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Evangelista has embarked on her own philanthropic initiatives—usually in relation to healthcare, relief operations and children’s welfare—that help uplift the lives of her husband’s constituents. She has also been instrumental in increasing awareness on the wellbeing of animals, having partnered with local rescue groups to feed, shelter and care for stray dogs. She has committed her resources to the construction of an animal welfare facility in Sorsogon.
“I think the New Asia is a major change in the way Asian countries relate and interact with each other,” she says. “It’s a better way for all of us to connect and share our culture, whether through business or entertainment. It’s a good change that we all need.”