MANILA, Philippines – “Incandescently happy” is how Heart Evangelista describes herself at this point in her life when she faces new challenges, both in her personal life and career.

Speaking as the new face of Ponds’ BB+ Cream, the star spoke to Rappler about various topics, from inner beauty to her favorite music.

If one is asked about the country’s most beautiful actresses, Heart’s name would surely be on the list. But the glowing chinita thinks beauty is more than looks.

“You don’t need to be Victoria Secret-level gorgeous to be beautiful or have people look at you or stare at you. I think it has to do with, first and foremost, what’s within you,” she said.

“You have to be at peace with your life. It’s your disposition and how you carry yourself and the rest will follow.”

Harmonizing with her personal life has admittedly been a challenge for Heart. She spent the past months under the media glare because of the dispute between her parents and her boyfriend, newly-elected senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

READ: Chiz, Heart: Against all odds?

“There are times when you can’t have the best of both worlds. I wish my parents and my boyfriend would get along,” she said.

But the latest challenge occupying Heart’s time is enjoying and adapting to her newfound independence.

“There’s so much excitement because I’m being introduced to a lot of new things: being independent, how to make a check, what’s an official receipt, going to the grocery, all these things.”

She’s also busy fixing her new home which she has just moved into.

“I’m also in that stage of my life when I really want to save,” she said. Hence, she’s learned how to open her own account, organize her own money and pay her bills on time.

Skin-obsessed 

“I’m obsessed with skin,” enthused Heart. Her flawless, luminous skin makes her the perfect facial skin-care expert.  

“I make sure that I don’t wear too much makeup, I moisturize and I protect my skin against the sun,” she shared.

The rainy season is no excuse to let your guard down when it comes to taking care of your skin.

“Sometimes it can still get humid even when it’s raining. So when there’s too much oil on your face, you get pimples. So for me, it’s always important to moisturize your neck or around your eyes, the sensitive areas where your skin is very fine. And still put sunblock.”

Everyday Heart

A normal stay-at-home day for Heart consists of a 40-minute run in the morning, a prayer, eating (she usually orders out when there’s nothing in the freezer), hanging out with her friends (mostly people from showbiz like Lovi Poe and Alessandra de Rossi) and listening to music.

A proud owner of a maltese and miniature poodle, Heart is an advocate of adoption as an alternative to breeding as therapy for hospital patients.

With a new movie in the works (also starring Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes) and what promises to be a more independent life, Heart is determined to make her own dreams come true. – Rappler.com