Heart Evangelista: Politics won't affect relationship with family

MANILA, Philippines - "Something like that shouldn’t really bother us. It’s not a problem."

This is how Heart Evangelista responded when asked to comment on mother Cecilia Ongpauco's support for Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's presidential bid.

Ongpauco expressed her intention to support Santiago during the senator's meet-and-greet forum at the University of the Philippines last month.

RELATED: Miriam Santiago meets students | Miriam: I’m ready to be the next president

Miriam is running against Sen. Grace Poe, the running mate of Heart's husband Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

In an interview during the launch of her beauty book "This is Me, Heart Marie" on Sunday, the GMA-7 actress said she was aware her mother with attend Santiago's political event.

"It was perfectly fine that she would go because it’s natural. She (Santiago) is the friend of my mom," Heart told Philstar.com and other reporters.

She added that her mother's support for Miriam should not be an issue, saying her mother has "the right to look at every body, kung sino talaga ang gusto natin."

"Ang pulitika naman, dapat labas talaga ang pamilya at friendship. Kasi maraming nagaaway na pamilya pagdating sa pulitika; hindi kami ganun," she said.

Heart added: "And I’m very confident that my family is very strong after everything we’ve been through."

Heart Evangelista poses for the cameras during the launch of her beauty book "This is Me, Love Marie" on Sunday, November 8. Philstar.com/Chuck Smith

It can be remembered that Heart and her parents, Cecilia and Reynaldo, had a falling out due to Heart's relationship with Escudero.

However, Heart mended fences with family months after the actress tied the knot with Escudero.

RELATED: Heart Evangelista's mother attends Chiz Escudero announcement | Chiz pays Heart a visit on set

The 30-year-old actress said Santiago understands that she has to stand by her husband during the elections. Santiago has close ties with the GMA-7's family and was the one help Escudero meet Heart.

Heart talked to members of the press to promote her beauty book published by Summit Media.

Mainly a make-up and beauty guide, Heart said the book "a little bit of my life in it... wala akong tinago, pati mga flaws ko."

"Feeling ko I have a really colorful life, especially since I'm in showbiz, ang dami kong pinagdaanan. I felt like it was just right for me to come up with a book, especially a beauty book because that's how I started out, as a kikay girl," she said. 

"This is Me, Love Marie" is available in bookstores and magazine stands for P295 nationwide.