P-Noy to stand as best man in Chiz Escudero-Heart Evangelista wedding
President Benigno Aquino III has agreed to stand as Senator Chiz Escudero’s best man when he ties the knot with Heart Evangelista on February 14 next year. This, the senator confirmed to Philippine Daily Inquirer, while adding that he had booked the bachelor president to be part of their entourage at least two months ago, even before he proposed to the TV host-actress last August 23 in his hometown in Buhatan, Sorsogon.
“The President has agreed to be best man at my wedding, not a [principal] sponsor,” he was quoted as saying. “Ayaw na mag-ninong sa kasal, kasi may pamahiin na hindi makakasal kapag nag-ninong ang binata."
Chiz explained that he chose Aquino as best man because he was “one of my closest friends for over 15 years.”
The friendship between the two politicians dates back 1998 when they served as representatives of Sorsogon and Tarlac, respectively. Both finished three terms until elected as senators in 2007.
Aquino is also godfather of Chiz’s seven-year-old fraternal twins, Maria Cecilia and Joaquin Cruz, his children by former wife Christine Elizabeth Flores.
Matchmaker Miriam may be there, too
Chiz said they’re thinking of getting senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Grace Poe-Llamanzares as part of the wedding entourage.
Miriam played matchmaker to Chiz and Heart by introducing them to each other in May 2012.
Chiz also dismissed assumptions that his wedding is being timed for the 2016 elections, when he is said to be running for president.
“I’m making a decision one thing at a time; our getting married has nothing to do with my running or not running. We will get married at some point and besides President Aquino has proven that being married has nothing to do with winning, hindi kailangan magpakasal.”
On becoming future First Lady
In an earlier interview with Yahoo Philippines, the 29-year-old actress said she’s fine with not taking on the glamorous job of First Lady.
“Many people ask me if he's going to run for a higher position. Honestly, I don't hear him or he doesn't do anything. It’s funny because they probably think na all about politics - eat and they play and that's all they talk about. But no, we just really talk about our life together.”
She added, “If it's really for him, then it's for him. But if it's not, I'm really okay with just being Mrs. Escudero. I've had my fill of being in the public eye, so I'm already okay with just living a quiet life.”
Looks like all is well now between Heart and her parents, who had earlier expressed disapproval of the relationship.
"To my dad...thank you for loving me the way you do... my perfect morning," she said in an Instagram post with a screenshot of her father Rey Ongpauco’s text message following the announcement of their engagement.
Heart then posted a photo which showed her reuniting with her mother Cecilia.
