Chiz Escudero, Heart Evangelista swap I do’s at Balesin Island
MANILA, Philippines - Mother Nature and a handful of family and friends witnessed how Sen. Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista vowed to love each other “till death do us part” at the Balesin Island Club in Quezon Province on Sunday, February 15.
The blushing bride, radiant in her Ezra Santos gown, walked down the aisle solo, while her 44-year-old groom was waiting at the altar.
Conspicuously absent in the ceremony were Heart’s parents, Rey and Cecile Ongpauco, who have voiced out their objections against Chiz. However, Mich and Camille Ongpauco were present in their sister's big day.
Related: Chiz and Heart's 'fairytale wedding' in photos
For Mom and Dad
Anticipating her parent's absence, Heart made her message for them public on Thursday via Instagram. It came with a photo of a necklace bearing a pendant with the pictures of her mom and dad.
It read: “Keeping this close to my heart...I'll never forget how much I was loved my whole life...thank you mom and dad for everything❤️ always your baby girl❤️ although my heart breaks not to have you here...I love you mom and dad no matter what.in time I know everything will fall into place...”
Heart composed her own vows and decided to read it to Chiz while the groom, who is used to making spontaneous speeches on the Senate floor, recited his, impromptu.
A canopy of white flowers made the wedding even more breathtaking.
Among the celebrities who attended the wedding are Carla Abellana, Lovi Poe, Alessandra de Rossi, and Solenn Heussaff, who herself is engaged to be married. The said Kapuso stars also served as bridesmaids.
Personal touches
Heart and Solenn spent their time running together before the wedding day.
Solenn said the couple’s wedding invites bore personal touches, like the bride’s heart-shaped painting on the beach bag.
The couple told Philippine Daily Inquirer that they will have their honeymoon in Japan.
How many kids?
But the couple differs when it comes to the number of children they want to have. Heart said in the same interview that she wants one or two kids, while Chiz says he prefers five.
Chiz’s marriage to Christine Elizabeth ‘Tintin’ Flores, has been annulled. Their twin children, Maria Cecilia and Joaquin Cruz, are eight years old.
Chiz and Heart will have a grand wedding reception at Blue Leaf Filipinas, Paranaque in the evening of Wednesday, February 18. The bride will reportedly wear a Monique Lhuillier gown.
Heart and Chiz became sweethearts in 2012. Two years after, Chiz proposed to Heart at his parents' home in Sorsogon.
