Kapuso actress and global fashion icon Heart Evangelista lashed out at online trolls and vowed to take legal action against those spreading false claims about her career and personal life.
In an emotional Instagram Live on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Evangelista expressed outrage over content creators and vloggers allegedly questioning her integrity and wealth amid the ongoing corruption controversies.
“Do not come for my integrity when it comes to my work because goddamn it, I worked so hard. I am proud of what I have. I will not take it sitting down—what some people have been saying about me, not even allegedly,” she declared.
She stressed that all of her work is legitimate and documented: “Everything I do is proper. Everything is well-documented. That’s not my problem actually. It’s the least of my problems. But it’s upsetting — ako pa yung naging casualty. Ako pa yung naging political tool of entertainment.”
Evangelista said she intends to file cases against those spreading fake news about her lifestyle and properties:
“I am upset. I am going to take legal actions and I will, again, not take this sitting down. This is my job. This is my lifeline.”
Evangelista also addressed criticism over her absence from the September 21 Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument in EDSA.
“Why wasn’t I in the rally? You think I didn’t want to be in the rally? You think I don’t have a voice? You think I’m not frustrated? You think hindi ako napipikon? Pikon naman din ako ah… bakit hindi ako Pinoy?” she said.
The actress revealed she chose not to attend due to threats she received online.
“I’m not in the rally is because you said — a lot of people said — na huhubaran n’yo ako kung pupunta ako sa rally. How cruel can you be? What did I do? Huhubaran n’yo ako sa rally?”
Despite this, Evangelista clarified that she shares the frustrations of many Filipinos: “For you questioning me why I’m not in the rally — you think I don’t have a burning flame in my heart? That I have nothing to say? I have so many things to say because it is unfair.”
She ended her message with solidarity for the public: “I am praying for us all. Sana gabayan ni Lord ‘yung mga nakaupo para gawin nila kung ano ‘yung tama… do not stay silent, speak up.”
Evangelista also issued a stern warning to those behind coordinated attacks against her.
“For the paid trolls out there, your funds are gonna be running out soon, and I know all of you.”
She urged them to redirect their energy: “Be an influencer, maybe follow me on my Instagram. You’ll learn a lot. I’ll try to be more educational about what I do and how I do it. This work is unconventional but it’s not just for me, it can be for everyone.”
