Heart Evangelista takes oath as new Senate spouses foundation president

Heart Evangelista on Wednesday took her oath as the new president of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. (SPFI).

In her speech during the ceremony, the fashion icon and actress expressed willingness to take the challenge to work together with other senators' spouses and "find ways to uplift our people and communities."

She vowed to continue the work of the previous set of officers of the organization and make their projects more sustainable and modern.

"The legacies left by all the ladies before me, a treasure of stories and testaments of service to the nation is something that encourages me to continue what they have started, to make a difference and to inspire not only SSFI members but also individuals and groups who have the power do something in improving the lives of people around us," Evangelista said.

"I am bravely taking on these duties. It is inspiring to see what we can accomplish and what kind of changes we can all make together," she added.

In an ambush interview, Evangelista said she will continue what the SPFI had started since 1987.

"Marami na rin silang nagawa so iko-continue lang namin yun and maybe, for me, I’ll probably do a little bit of a modern approach. I’ll try to add a few more sustainability programs that we can help out. So, yes, full time," she said.

The new SPFI head shared that she asked some advice from her husband, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero as she admitted being nervous about taking the position.

"Definitely, hiningi ko advise niya and medyo OC siya pagdating sa mga detalye. I guess, in a sense, it’s also good, kasi kahit ibang mundo namin I was very trained well by Chiz kasi... every detail he pays attention to but it’s nice kasi he gave me leeway sa mga gusto kong gawin and he’s very supportive," she shared.

"Kinakabahan siyempre kasi hindi ko naman to mundo eh. But in a sense, you know, even if it’s not my world, I won’t be doing the same thing. So you won’t be expecting me to be going to certain things just to take pictures. I really want to do something and continuously make a change na hindi lang siya para lang artista na nilagay sa ganitong posisyon. I wanna work. So I'm excited in a sense," she added.

According to Evangelista, she has communicated with her predecessor, Audrey Tan-Zubiri, whom she said was "very graceful and very supportive."

"I really do believe in continuation of the projects that they have created and made so we will continue that, hopefully with madam Audrey by our side. But she’s very, very nice and very supportive as well," Evangelista said.

Under her leadership, Evangelista said they will focus more on women and children and they will look back on the small infrastructure projects that the previous leaderships have initiated.

Asked if she is willing to sacrifice her personal career to fulfill her duties in the SPFI, Evangelista said she will manage her time because she still has to work to make ends meet.

"Kung hindi darating ang mga bills, hindi na rin ako magtatrabaho pero may mga bills so kailangan ko pang magtrabaho but it’s all about balancing and distributing your time. Kaya naman. Kakayanin na lang," the fashion model said.

"Mag-aadjust tayong lahat. So dextrose level na po 'to," she said in jest.

Last week, Evangelista took to her Instagram Stories and asked her followers to follow the account of the organization. "So shall we begin," she said.  

 Apart from Evangelista, the following spouses and relatives of the senators will take the following positions: 

• Kathryna Yu-Pimentel as vice president and chairperson of the committee on social events
• Maricel Tulfo as secretary and chairperson of the committee on public assistance
• Teodoro Misael Llamanzares as assistant secretary and chairperson of the committee on finance and logistics
• Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla as treasurer
• Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar as legal counsel and chairperson of the committee on environment
• Marielle Padilla as public relations officer
• Nancy dela Rosa as public relations officer
• Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano as chairperson of the committee on arts and culture
• Mark Lapid as chairperson of committee on ways and means 
• Issa Baraquel as chairperson of committee on youth and women 

— LA, GMA Integrated News