Heart Evangelista clarifies she gets no salary as head of Senate Spouses Foundation
MANILA, Philippines — Heart Evangelista clarified that she does not get a salary for being president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI).The 39-year-old actress-socialite addressed the issue in a TikTok video posted on June 6, emphasizing that no SSFI officer receives a salary.In the video, Evangelista shared a screenshot of her Instagram comment, stating, "The @senatespousesph foundation was created in 1987 by the spouses of senators in their private capacities [red heart emoji]. It's a non-stock, non-profit organization [heart emoji]. All is done from the heart and for the love of our nation!"She reiterated the sentiment in the video's caption: "FYI po [red heart emoji] This job is from the heart."Evangelista also highlighted a netizen's comment, which read, "And the spouses do not get any salary from the foundation. This is really a 'for the love of' job [red heart emoji]."She also responded to a fan who praised her for being an inspiration in public service despite her thriving career in showbiz and fashion."I don't know how much time I have in this world ... I didn't ask for any of this ... but I shall do my best with all the energy I have ... to do my part. I worked for what I have and I can say I have more than what the little girl inside me ever dreamed of ... I don't want anything in return but just for me to be able to be an instrument of God. you only get to live one life ...make it count ! so let's do this," Evangelista said.She and 11 others took their oath as SSFI officers during a ceremony on June 5."I am so honored to stand before everyone today as the new President of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc.," she wrote on Instagram."As I stand side by side with these men and women — my fellow spouses and officials who were involved in SSFI long before me, I could not help but be grateful for welcoming and supporting me in this challenging journey ahead. I am ready to honor the challenge of working together to find ways to uplift our people and our communities."In an interview with the Senate media following her oath-taking, Evangelista admitted she was nervous about her "new world" as the wife of Senate President Francis Escudero, who has assured her of his support. Heart Evangelista, actress-socialite and now president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/IAMHEARTE"I'm nervous because this is not my world," Evangelista said in Filipino. "But in a sense, you know, even if it's not my world, I won't be doing the same thing. I really want to do something and continuously make a change. I wanna work. So I'm excited in a sense."The newly appointed SSFI officials include Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, wife of Senator Koko Pimentel as vice president and chairperson of the Committee on Social Events; Maricel Tulfo, wife of Senator Raffy Tulfo as secretary and chairperson of the Committee on Public Assistance; Teodoro Misael Llamanzares, husband of Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares as assistant secretary and chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Logistics; and Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, wife of Senator Bong Revilla as treasurer.Also with them are Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, wife of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as chairperson of the Committee on Arts; Mark Lapid, son of Senator Lito Lapid as chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means; Issa Baraquel, daughter of Senator Risa Hontiveros as chairperson of the Committee on Youth and Women; Undersecretary Emmeline Villar, wife of Senator Mark Villar as legal counsel and chairperson of the Committee on Environment; Mariel Padilla, wife of Senator Robin Padilla as Public Relations Officer; and Nancy dela Rosa, wife of Senator Bato dela Rosa as Public Relations Officer.