3 hours ago
1
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
MANILA, Philippines — Actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista announced that she is skipping this season’s Fashion Week shows in Milan and Paris to focus on legal action against online attacks linking her lifestyle to corruption scandals.
Heart Evangelista PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/IAMHEARTE
The 40-year-old made the announcement during an Instagram Live on Tuesday, apologizing to fans who had anticipated her usual presence on the international runways.
“I’m sorry for my fans that I’m not going to Fashion Week. I know that you guys say ‘laban, laban (fight, fight).’ I really appreciate you. But honestly, I don’t think it’s the right time for anyone to, especially from our country, to be going to Fashion Week because I think we need to be here. Not necessarily to be in the rally… but it’s important that we open our eyes, and we truly become one and empathize and really see what’s going on, and see what we can do,” she said.
The Kapuso actress has been a fixture at Fashion Week for years, often praised for her front-row appearances and luxury partnerships. She confirmed this would not be a permanent break, hinting at a possible return “maybe the next season.”
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
“And so, I will not be going to Fashion Week. If I’ll be going, maybe, the next season, I think it depends, but I can’t stop working. So, aside from not going to Fashion Week, I think I have other important responsibilities. I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the brands that understand and support me for me not going. And all the brand also here in the Philippines, thank you so much for just seeing my heart. I really appreciate you,” she continued.
Evangelista, the wife of former Senate President Chiz Escudero, has been facing mounting criticism online amid public scrutiny of political families following corruption protests in Manila on September 21. Protesters gathered in Luneta and along EDSA, demanding accountability in the wake of a flood-control scandal that has implicated several political names.
In her livestream, Evangelista also addressed personal attacks questioning her identity as a wife and professional.
“I’m not the type of wife na nakatanga lang ako sa bahay, at nakikipag-chikahan lang ako sa amiga (I’m not the type of wife who just stays at home doing nothing and gossiping with friends). No, I’m not. I work. I refuse to just be a useless wife at home. No, I will work. I will continue to work,” she said.
“This is my job. This is my lifeline. I don’t even think I have a purpose if you are going to tell me not to work. It keeps me alive,” she added.
The actress also confirmed she is preparing legal action against those spreading allegations about her finances and work.
“Do not come for my integrity when it comes to my work because goddamn it, I worked so hard. I am proud of what I have. I will not take it sitting down — what some people have been saying about me, not even allegedly,” Evangelista said.
She stressed that her professional life is documented and aboveboard, and vowed to confront false claims head-on.
“I am going to take legal actions and I will, again, not take this sitting down. This is my job. This is my lifeline,” she said.
Evangelista also revealed she chose not to attend the Sept. 21 rally after receiving threats online.
“I’m not in the rally is because you said—a lot of people said — na huhubaran niyo ako kung pupunta ako sa rally (that you’ll strip me if I go to the rally). How cruel can you be? What did I do?” she asked.
She maintained, however, that she shares the frustrations of other Filipinos demanding justice.
“You think I don’t have a burning flame in my heart? That I have nothing to say? I have so much things to say because it is unfair,” she said.
In the end, Evangelista told her detractors, “For the paid trolls out there, your funds are gonna be running out soon, and I know all of you. Be an influencer, maybe follow me on my Instagram. You’ll learn a lot.”
Fashion Week runs from September 11 to October 7 across New York, London, Milan, and Paris.
