BRIMMING WITH BONAFIDE

Heart Evangelista-Escudero on the magic of unapologetically being yourself

- ANDREA MANANKIL

SHEER SENSATION

The not-quite naked dress steps out from the beach and into style street with a few chosen (and well placed) accessories

Knit net dress by FENDI, Bra and bottom set by NERIC BELTRAN, Jewelry by BVLGARI, Shoes by ALAÏA

Meeting Heart Evangelista-Escudero proved to be an experience like no other.

Having to execute the interview in between takes during her cover shoot meant that I was granted the privilege of being a wallflower in the midst of a hectic shoot. And in both my moments of observing and conversing with her, I found a unique perspective: an apparent snapshot of this renaissance woman's life—and a story worth telling.

The boisterous room teeming with chatter, blinding flashes from the camera and fast-paced movement could easily be translated to the overall hectic mood that the multi-faceted superstar is constantly encompassed by. And just like the will find that Heart sits in the midst of it all-calm, collected and ready to take on more.

It's then no feat to wonder how someone can remain so tranquil and elegant in such a chaotic setting. However, those questions had no chance of lingering. They were promptly silenced each time I was allowed a seat in her found how Heart manages to achieve it all after almost 25 years in show business. There, I established how her magic transpires. It is simply by means of practicing authenticity.

The beauty of it all is that this space brimming with bona fides is open to all. It is not shrouded by walls and closed off by a door that only occasionally opens. If anything, tapping into her thoughts has made me realize that her ability to unapologetically be herself unimpededly flows and is free for everybody to witness.