Lovers in Paris (What? No proposal?)

“Thank you for being sweet…thank you for  loving me so much…”

That’s what Heart Evangelista said of her boyfriend, Sen. Chiz Escudero.

During their two-week lovers’ holiday (no, not “honeymoon,” huh!) in Paris, with a side trip to Venice, Heart and Chiz came back with her convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that their love is stronger than ever. While other lovers would come home from abroad with their relationship cracking (probably after discovering something unfavorable about each other), Heart and Chiz claimed that their togetherness away from the maddening crowd recharged the energy between them.

Asked if, as persistent speculation hounded their departure, Chiz finally proposed to her, Heart told Funfare during a brief chat before she went on air in last Saturday’s Startalk, “No, he didn’t,” adding in jest, “actually, buntis na ako,” but hastily took back her word before she could be taken out of context. After all, didn’t Heart say that, if and when, she would love to tie the knot with Chiz in the City of Light?

She added that the proposal should come from Chiz voluntarily and he shouldn’t be pressured into doing it.

“Marriage is something very serious,” said Heart, “so we are very careful about making that serious decision, although we are planning our life together.”

If ever Chiz did propose to her, what would her answer be?

“Of course!” Heart blurted out laughing.

It was while in Paris that Heart heard the sad news that her ninang, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. It was Sen. Miriam who introduced Chiz to Heart.

“But I knew all along that she was taking some medicines kasi ang dami niyang sakit,” said Heart, one of them CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). “I was shocked when I learned that she has lung cancer.” Heart promptly got in touch with Sen. Miriam and did the same thing as soon as she and Chiz flew back. “I’m happy that she’s strong and she’s fighting her illness with courage. Ninang Miriam means a lot to us, she serves as an inspiration to a lot of people, so I’m asking (your readers) to pray for her speedy recovery. I’m sure she’ll be okay.”

Incidentally, what is it about Europe, particularly Paris, that brings out the innermost feelings of lovers and makes them reveal themselves?

Wasn’t it in Paris, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, where Sarah Lahbati told her boyfriend Richard Gutierrez in 2012 that she was pregnant? It was also in Paris (and other places in Italy, Rome among them) where Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino did some PDA (Public Display of Affection) documented by photos splashed on social media?

Although their action has been speaking louder than words, it was only in Startalk last Saturday during a “hot seat” interview in Lolit Solis’ segment So-List that Lovi admitted after much reluctance that, yes, Rocco is her boyfriend (take a big bow, Rocco!). Lovi admitted having gone steady with Jake Cuenca but kept mum on other guys romantically linked to her, including Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla (now happily going steady with Jodi Sta. Maria) and Ilocos Sur (First District) Rep. Ronald Singson.

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