WATCH: Heart Evangelista shares father's touching video message during renewal of vows with Chiz Escudero last February
Heart Evangelista shared a touching video message from her father during her renewal of vows with Senate President Chiz Escudero that took place early this year.
In a recent episode of Heart World, it was shown that Evangelista's father, Reynaldo Ongpauco, wasn't able to attend the ceremony last Feb. 14, which was also her birthday and Valentine's Day, as he was in the United States receiving medical treatment.
During the reception, Ongpauco's special message was flashed on-screen before dozens of guests.
"Gusto kong sabihin sa iyo, kaya lang nahihiya ako sa iyo, sana maintindihan mo ako kaya nagpunta ako dito. Pasensiya ka na, hindi kita mailakad ulit," he said to his daughter.
The camera then cut to Evangelista, who turned emotional and wiped tears welling up in her eyes.
"Pangarap ko rin na ilakad kita pero 'di ko magawa. Heto ako sa America, nagpapalakas, nagpapagaling," Ongpauco said.
In hindsight, he said it was for the better.
"Pero siguro, mas maganda na 'yun. Kung lumakas na ako, mas madami pa tayong pagsasamahan. Maraming-maraming salamat sa iyo," he added. Congratulations nga pala sa inyong dalawang wedding ninyo ulit. Maging magkasama kayo habambuhay."
Evangelista previously shared that Ongpauco did not make it to her special day as he was "recovering." She didn't get into much detail about Ongpauco's condition, though in 2019, the actress shared in an Instagram post that her dad underwent radiation therapy, which is "a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors," according to the National Cancer Institute. She later told GMA News that he was staying in the United States at the time.
The gestures of Evangelista's parents were a departure from their disposition in March 2013, when they disapproved of their daughter's relationship with him.
At the time, they held a press conference, accusing Escudero of being an "alcoholic," "arrogant," and "opportunist," even as he supposedly manipulated Evangelista. They also questioned whether he could support their daughter financially.
Evangelista, then 28, defended Escudero, then 44, saying she's old enough to make decisions on her own.
Escudero, a senatorial bet at the time, also held a press conference days afterward to defend himself from the accusations.
Though he acknowledged that Evangelista's parents were right in saying he's not as wealthy as they are and feared he couldn't provide for her, Escudero said it wasn't a license to belittle him. He also emphasized his love for Evangelista.
Evangelista and Escudero first tied the knot in 2015 after dating for three years.
Breakup rumors began in 2022 when she removed “Escudero” from her Instagram name. Rumors spread further after she admitted she was going through some “personal struggles” and revealed she bought her own place in Paris. Evangelista indirectly shut down the rumors in December of the same year by posting a photo of herself with the caption: “Walking around Paris before heading home for New Year. P.S. See you soon, @escuderochiz.” Evangelista and Escudero welcomed 2023 as a couple and have since been spotted in several locations together.
They renewed their vows last Feb. 14—a triple celebration of Valentine’s Day, her birthday, and their ninth wedding anniversary—on Balesin Island.
