Long before social media ships and trending hashtags, the Philippine showbiz industry thrived on its iconic love teams — and one of the most memorable among millennials was the unexpected pairing of John Prats and Heart Evangelista.
While fans gushed over their on-screen chemistry in shows like G-mik, few knew that behind the scenes, John wasn’t exactly thrilled about being partnered with Heart. In fact, in a recent interview on Luis Manzano’s YouTube vlog, the actor-director opened up about the early days of their love team — and how what started as annoyance slowly blossomed into real-life romance.
“I didn’t like her at first” — The Honest Confession
During the interview, John Prats didn’t hold back.
“She was super maarte,” he said with a laugh, recalling their first meetings on set.
“Laging may retouch, may sariling makeup kit, sobrang particular sa gamit — and I was like, ‘What’s with this girl?’”
At the time, John was a laid-back teen who just wanted to enjoy acting without the pressures of being in a love team. But his career took a turn when G-mik producers decided it was time for him to have a screen partner.
After being paired with a few actresses who didn’t quite click, the team brought in Heart Evangelista — a young, elegant, and admittedly meticulous co-star. The pairing felt awkward at first. Their personalities were total opposites. John was chill and spontaneous; Heart was poised and precise.
“I remember being told, ‘She’s your new ka-love team,’ and I thought, ‘Really? The maarte one?’” he joked.
Opposites Attract — Onscreen and Off
Despite the rocky start, something unexpected happened: audiences loved them.
Their scenes together had an electric tension, an unspoken charm that made fans root for them. Fan mail poured in. Ratings climbed. The “Prats-Heart” tandem was officially a hit.
And slowly but surely, John’s irritation gave way to admiration.
“You know, once you get past the arte, she’s actually super funny and thoughtful,” John admitted.
“We’d talk between takes, laugh a lot, and that’s when I saw the real her.”
It wasn’t long before fiction became reality. The on-screen couple quietly transitioned into a real-life relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years.
The Breakup — and the Respect That Remained
Eventually, as with many young celebrity couples, things ended. Career paths shifted. Life moved on. But what’s admirable, John says, is how their friendship survived the split.
“There was no bad blood,” he shared.
“We respected each other then, and we still do now.”
In fact, one of the most heartwarming parts of the interview was when John recounted a surprising encounter years later — during the time he was courting his now-wife, Isabel Oli.
To his shock, he found out that Heart was cast in the same project as Isabel. The situation could have been awkward, but instead, it turned into a moment of quiet support.
“Heart saw me on set and smiled. No drama. No weirdness,” John said.
“She even encouraged me to pursue Isabel. I didn’t expect that.”
Beyond the Love Team
While their love story ended, both John and Heart went on to build highly successful careers in different directions.
John evolved from a teen actor into a respected director, specializing in concerts and live events. He married actress Isabel Oli, and they now have three children. Just this year, they celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary with a touching vow renewal ceremony.
Heart, on the other hand, grew into a global fashion icon, painter, and influencer, while maintaining her acting roots. She’s now known internationally, with features in Paris Fashion Week and collaborations with luxury brands.
And yet, despite the distance their careers and lives have taken them, the legacy of their love team lives on — a reminder of a time when kilig came from raw chemistry and real, unfiltered growth.
Fans React: “Still One of the Best Love Teams Ever”
Following the interview, fans took to social media to relive their favorite G-mik memories and express nostalgia for the John-Heart tandem.
“That was my childhood love team!” one fan wrote on Facebook.
“They were so real. You could tell there was something more behind the scenes.”
Others praised John’s honesty and maturity in reflecting on the past without bitterness.
“I love how he can look back, laugh at himself, and still speak kindly about Heart. That’s growth.”
A Love Team That Taught Lessons
In the world of showbiz, where many love teams are manufactured and fleeting, the story of John and Heart stands out not just because they became real — but because they ended well.
“We were kids figuring things out,” John said near the end of the interview.
“But we helped each other grow. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.”
And perhaps that’s what makes this love team so memorable. It wasn’t just about the kilig. It was about honesty, transformation, and a friendship that, despite everything, endured.
From annoyance to romance. From romance to respect.
The journey of John Prats and Heart Evangelista may be long over, but its legacy still brings smiles — and lessons — to fans today.
