ust two years, Heart Evangelista has transformed from typical teener to one of the freshest, most recognized faces all over the country.

Heart Evangelista once said that if she would rate herself from one to ten, she would be a five. Top this with a bad experience in high school where girls in her class would poke fun at her for being short and plain-and you'd think that Heart is smugly laughing her way now to the bank after becoming one of the country's biggest celebrities.

Instead, she's remained the cheerful MYX VJ, the bubbly actress, the bright-eyed model, and still proudly kikay-yet oozing with an endearing wholesomeness brought about by her belief in "good karma." She holds no grudges-and it shows in her smiling, youthful face, spritely petite frame and a reputation for being pleasant, sweet and childlike. But after three hours of chatting, dress changing and and picture taking, this comely 19-year-old proved that she can be more than what her public image dictates: A remarkable young woman, mature and level-headed beyond her years.

Rising Star
Heart has come a long way. She recalls her first cover shoot one year ago, for the August 2000 issue of Candy magazine. Heart was just a 14-year-old student in Colegio de San Agustin at the time, practically a stranger to the media scene, when Ria Francisco, the magazine's beauty editor, spotted her out of her friend's group, and thought she'd be perfect for their cover. Heart still remembers how giddy and excited she was during her first shoot. "I was sobrang madaldal and magulo. I kept walking around saying, 'I can't believe I'm a model!'"

It was just the beginning of a prosperous career that has covered everything from modeling and acting, to singing and dancing.

"I wanted to be an artista ever since I was a kid," Heart confides. She always played the bida role in family skits and was very active in the Arts and Drama Club in school. "If you look at my high school yearbook, you'll see that everything I did had to do with acting." Growing up in Daly City, California where her parents (who own the Barrio Fiesta chain) ran a branch, she would even sing along with the waiters during their performances.

It was easy, however, to convince her parents to let their youngest in a brood of six children try out for an industry that was known to be all gulo and intriga.

Heart knows her parents are especially protective of their baby daughter, and describes them as "super-strict," prioritizing values and propriety.

But Heart's dream seemed meant to be: She was discovered by an agent inside a Body Shop store in Alabang four years ago, where "we were just following my sister's crush." This fortunate incident led to a Rexona commercial a year later, a public workshop, and finally, an audition for ABS-CBN's Star Circle, Batch 9.

Since her father would have never allowed her to enter showbiz, Heart had to resort to persuasion: "If I don't get in," she told him, "I'll forget about it na. but I did, so he didn't do anything. He just told me not to forget about my studies, and not to change just because I was earning my own money."

Growing up
When Heart's dream first started coming true, she "was so excited and wanted to do everything immediately. [She] wanted it all!" Even on the home front, she couldn't wait to move out and be less restricted. "You know, Carrie's lifestyle in Sex and the City," she gushes. "That's my dream." But her stardom didn't exempt her form her parents' rules. Heart still had to be accompanied by chaperones everywhere. No dating until she turned 19 (which happened just last February 19), no moving out until age 21.

Even under the protection of her parents, Heart's two years of fame have taught her a lot. "One day, I woke up and realized I just wanted to relax," she shares. She's mellowed down quite bit-she's not as jumpy or madaldal as when she first started.

Heart still wants to live on her own, but more for learning reasons rather than for freedom. "I want to star doing things myself-buy groceries, pay bills…" Ironically, Heart doesn't even really know how much she gets paid. "My mom usually handles those things. I have no idea what to do!"

Just a few months ago, Heart made her first trip to the supermarket (with Ate Ruby in tow, of course). However instead, of buying food and drinks, she got sidetracked by the supermarket's extensive bath and makeup section, and filled the cart with beauty products instead. But his self-confessed shopaholic doesn't beat herself up for it. She knows that she'll get it right the next time. "My yaya gave me a tip after that: Make a shopping list before you go, and stick to it!"

On the subject of going out-a hot topic for any 19-year-old, Heart admits she's not really craving for the nightlife anymore. This, even though her dad just recently allowed her to date and go out. Her days are usually packed with shoots, workshops and filming; and by the time the weekend rolls around, Heart finds herself going home. These days, she is girl's girl, and is content just hanging out with her cousins, or best friend, Sarah Christopher.

As for her love life, Heart is no longer the giddy girlfriends she once was. She talks about relationships on a more mature level. "You don't need to rush into mature level. "You don't need to rush into things. You don't always need to be with the guy all the time. Although I'm still into the conservative way of doing things-the whole courtship, coming to my house…I think it's also fun if you can continue getting to know even when you're together."

So what kind of guy does Heart fall for?" "My fantasy men are Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Alex Band. I prefer simple but funny guys. Guys who are stable and know what they want. A family man. They have to be malambing because I'm malambing because I'm malambing too."

When Heart's in love, she blooms-rosy cheeks, sparkly eyes, smiling for now reason. But still, Heart thinks that she's too young to have a commitment with anybody. "I want to get married at around age 26 or 27."

Real at Heart
Although Heart's striking chinita features are a welcome change from the mestiza look saturating today's entertainment industry, her appeal isn't only superficial. Heart connects with her audience on a deeper level because she doesn't carry any of the arrogant airs that commonly come with fame. She's as real as they come.

"I don't pretend or change myself in front of the camera. People say I'm plastic because I'm nice and friendly," she says.

"Once, I was in Glorietta and someone wanted to take my picture while I was on the escalator. She said, 'Picture, Heart!' and I asked her, 'Hindi ka ba sasama sa akin?" and to the unsuspecting fan's surprise, Heart ended up taking a picture of both of them herself.

She insists that she really is a simple gal. "I'm like a normal kid na nag-aartista leans more towards the simple adobo and fish dishes. Even her choice of clothing is not always from the high-priced boutiques one would expect. "You can make anything look nice," says Heart. "It's just a matter of putting things together." She once revealed that she was spending a lot on clothes when she was still starting in showbiz, but she's toned it down, now preferring clothes when she was still starting in showbiz, but she's toned it down, preferring clothes that are less expensive. Her manager (coincidentally also called Love), shares that "one time, she showed me these P3000 sandals someone gave her from SM Department Store. She said, 'Look ate, aren't they so cute?' She's not picky with brands at all. She usually just wears jogging pants, sando and rubber shoes."

Although her popularity keeps her from going to some tiangges and malls for fear that she'll get mobbed, Heart is not one complain. She takes her acting seriously and is aware of the responsibilities that come with being a public figure. "I make sure that I keep my priorities straight and keep up with my studies. Kids ten to take school for granted, so I try to show them that even though I 'm busy, I still study.

"But I'm still overwhelmed with the fame I have! I'm just really thankful that I am where I am." That's why Heart never neglects to extend her gratitude for her blessings. "I'm very religious. With so much going one, I make it a pint not to forget to give thanks." She regularly donates to charitable causes, believing that she's "placed in this position so that [she] can share with other people."

Future Plans
Heart is well aware that the industry she's in is always changing. "You never know when someone else will come around, and people will forget you," she says. "That's why I appreciate it so much."

Around June of this year, Manila was rife with rumors about Heart being in the upcoming Harry Potter sequel. The story is that Heart auditioned for the role of Cho Chang, the pretty, fifth-year girl that Harry develops a crush on. It was said that she didn't get the part because she tried too hard to speak with a heavy British accent. Not true, says Heart, attributing it simply to the viciousness of rumors in showbiz.

"I do think people categorize me into having a sweetie-sweetie image, but it's a good image to have," she says. And although ABS-CBN would like to keep her young image as long as possible, "In the future, [she'd] like to do more but nothing too bold. I can never really imagine myself going sexy. I intend to stay wholesome." Heart cites names like Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta and Mandy Moore as celebrities whose paths she's like to follow. "I have my goal," she says. "Two years from now, I should be in a soap opera if I can."

No matter which road she takes, Heart looks like she' going to stay on screen for a really long time. Looking at her amazing transformation these past two years, it's sure that this young, sensible girls has what it takes to stay in the limelight.

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