Ramon Tulfo Claps Back at Critics of Heart Evangelista
RAMON TULFO – The veteran journalist defended actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista after questions were raised about her luxurious lifestyle. In a social media post, Tulfo urged critics to stop attacking Heart, emphasizing that she comes from a wealthy family and has been financially independent even before marrying Senate President Chiz Escudero.
“Leave her alone!” Tulfo said, explaining that Heart is a member of the prominent Ongpauco family, owners of the well-known Barrio Fiesta restaurant chain. According to Tulfo, Heart earned a significant amount of money during her years as a movie actress and a highly sought-after influencer. He added that the money she spends is her own and not from her husband.
Tulfo, who is friends with Heart’s uncle Rod Ongpauco, stressed that the Ongpaucos are part of the country’s “old rich.” When a netizen commented that Heart was not included in the list of the richest Filipino celebrities and questioned whether she pays taxes, Tulfo replied that her family simply does not flaunt their wealth or seek public attention.
To recall, lawyer and political commentator Jesus Falcis earlier questioned how Evangelista is able to maintain such a glamorous lifestyle without appearing on the top taxpayer lists in the cities where she has lived, including Quezon City, Pasig, and Makati.
Falcis linked this to the concept of “nepo wives,” saying that while people cannot choose the families they are born into, marrying a politician is a personal decision. Since politicians are public servants, he argued, their spouses should also be open to public scrutiny—especially if their lifestyle raises suspicions.
He pointed out that Heart’s frequent luxury purchases and high-end fashion choices seem excessive compared to her reported income. While he clarified that there is nothing wrong with a husband giving gifts to his wife, he expressed concern that Escudero’s 2022 campaign was heavily funded by Lawrence Lubiano of Centerways Construction, a company involved in government flood control projects.
Falcis also rejected the claim that Heart’s brand endorsements or business ventures fully cover her expenses, saying that after reviewing her deals, they still did not explain the scale of her extravagant lifestyle.