‘Don’t worry, you can do it,’ Escudero tells Heart on her new role in Senate

Heart Evangelista officially took her oath as new president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI), administered by her husband and newly-installed president of the upper chamber, Senator Francis Escudero. (Photo from Office of the Senate President)

MANILA, Philippines—For a moment on Wednesday, Senate President Francis Escudero stepped aside for his wife, Heart Evangelista, who now takes on a new role in Congress.

Evangelista officially took her oath as new president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI), administered by her husband, and newly-installed president of the upper chamber.

“Wag kang kabahan, darling. Kayang kaya mo yan,” Escudero said in a speech after administering the oath to his wife and other officials of the SFFI.

(Don’t worry, darling. You can do it.)

“Noong nangangampanya ako noon, sabi ko dun sa mga hindi naniniwalang may puso ako, may pweba  ako, pinapakita ko yung wedding picture namin,” the senator said in jest.

(When I was campaigning before, I told those who didn’t believe I had a heart that I had proof; I showed them our wedding picture.)

He said his wife is proof that the Senate has a “heart” for the people, especially those in need.

Evangelista admitted to being nervous about the new tasks, especially because “it is not her world.”

“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,” Heart said in an interview after the oath-taking.

“I really want to do something and continuously make a change, na hindi lang siya na para lang artist na nailagay sa ganitong posisyon. I want to work. So I’m excited in a sense,” she added.

Nevertheless, she promised to work “full-time” while balancing her career in showbiz.

“Mag-a-adjust tayong lahat. So, dextrose level na po ito,” she quipped.

Escudero, meanwhile, repeated his advice  to his wife not to succumb to pressure.

“Wala siyang ibang barometrong susundan kung hindi yung sarili niyang kakayahan at  hindi dapat nagpapa-pressure sa anumang pagkukumpara kanino man nagdaan man o hinaharap,” said the senator.

(She has no other benchmark to follow other than her capabilities. Avoid being pressured by comparing yourself to anyone, whether from the past or the future.)