MANILA, Philippines - Heart Evangelista’s parents did not attend her wedding at the Balesin Island Club in Quezon on Sunday.
READ: Heart Evangelista, Chiz Escudero exchange I do’s
But Reynaldo Ongpauco, Heart’s father, was able to send his message via a letter for his newly-wed daughter.
According to a report published in showbiz news site Philippine Entertainment on Monday, Heart’s sisters Camille and Michelle Ongpauco and Lissa Quirino surprised the 30-year-old by reading their father’s letter.
The letter was read by Heart’s cousin Happy Ongpauco during her wedding reception, also held in Balesin.
Part of the letter reads, "This is my promise: when the day comes that I see both of you truly happy; when I see Chiz loving you the way you deserve to be loved, I will come knocking on your door.”
The report added the letter did not specify why Reynaldo and Cecile were not able to attend Heart’s wedding.
“A lot of things has happened that hindered us from going,” Reynaldo said in his letter.
According to the report by STAR entertainment editor Ricky Lo, a room was reserved at the Balesin Island Resort for Heart’s parents, but they didn’t show up to give Heart away to her groom.
Heart had a falling out with her mother in 2013 when she openly opposed her daughter's romance with Chiz.
But it seems Heart has accepted the absence of her parents prior to the wedding.
LOOK: Heart Evangelista walks down the aisle
In a video message for her parents aired on GMA-7’s showbiz talk show “Startalk” on Saturday, Heart said: “To my mom and to my dad, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Thank you sa pagmamahal na binigay n’yo sa akin, which made the person I am today... to love the way I love because of you guys.”
She added, “And I know one day you will see how happy I am and I hope that will make the both of you happy too. And no matter what, I will love you and you will always be a big part of my heart so yeah, love you, Mom and Dad.”
Heart and Chiz will hold a Manila wedding reception on Wednesday, February 18.