Heart Evangelista 'panicked' as she is set to head Senate spouses foundation

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Thursday shared that his wife, fashion icon and actress Heart Evangelista "panicked" when they discussed her duties as head of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc.

By tradition, the foundation is led by the spouse of the Senate president.

"Pinag-usapan na namin kagabi 'yan.  Naiyak siya nang kaunti, parang hindi daw niya kaya," Escudero said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

"Nagtatanong siya, hindi daw niya alam, hindi daw niya kabisado, sabi ko ako rin naman, hindi ko alam, hindi ko rin kabisado," he added.

"Sabi niya, 'Eh ikaw ang tagal-tagal mo na diyan, mundo mo 'yan.' Sabi ko,  'Eh senador, oo. Pero Senate President, hindi,'" he went on.  

The Senate president said he advised his wife not to feel pressured and just do what she can for the foundation.

"[I told her], 'Huwag ka magpa-pressure, 'yong kaya lang, kung ano lang 'yong kaya,'" he said.

"Sabi ko lang, 'Simulan mo muna sa baba, paakyat, imbes na magsimula ka sa taas na pababa.' Ibig sabihin, huwag 'yong ang dami-dami agad. Simulan mo muna sa kaunti na parami, kaysa sinimulan nang madami tapos kumonti," he added.

According to the Senate chief, the spouses of the senators agreed during the dinner in Malacañang last Tuesday to meet next week and discuss their plans.

"Papakinggan muna niya 'yong ginagawa na madalas at ibabato niya sa grupo, sa mga miyembro ng Senate spouses 'yong idea niya, kukuha siya ng idea sa kanila kung ano pa 'yong pwedeng magawa. Una, kung itutuloy pa 'yong dati, kung kayang ipagpapatuloy, at anong idadagdag," he said.

Asked if his wife is ready to take the challenge, Escudero said, "Sa ngayon, willing pa lang.  Magiging ready pa lang."

Evangelista will replace former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's wife, Audrey Tan-Zubiri.—LDF, GMA Integrated News