The simple suite that Heart and Echo are supposedly staying in comes as a surprise to the ZEE team assembled for the late February, 7AM shoot. The room, completely devoid of any personal effects that might give one an idea to the personalities that lie behind these personalities, is smaller and simpler than one would expect of celebrities whose faces are plastered in billboards, magazines and TV screens across the country. Are these two really as no-fuss as they seem?

We soon learn, however, that the suite is only being utilized for the purposes of the interview. Privacy, it seems, is a big deal to these public figures. We are more intrigued than ever and proceed to sit and anticipate their arrival.

Heart Evangelista saunters in first, looking freshly showered but not quite wide-awake yet. She apologizes sweetly for being tardy, introduces herself with a handshake and a kiss to everyone in the room, and plops herself down on the chair, ready for make-up. Echo later follows, announcing his presence in the room with an upbeat “Hi!” He gives the bacon-munching Heart a good morning peck on the cheek that leaves everyone a little giddy. If it were based purely on looks, it is easy to see why this pair captured the adoration of a nation. Heart’s tiny features, porcelain skin and engaging smile are the Filipino ideals of “pretty”, while Echo’s tan and rugged good looks are the perfect foil.

The interview starts off with questions about their personal tastes in fashion. Their endorsement of one of the country’s biggest and most recognized clothing brands has, after all, made them style icons of sorts. Heart calls herself a forever person, preferring classic designs when purchasing big-ticket items such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags. She strays from fleeting trends as well, as they may sometimes prove to be a waste of money. Echo, on the other hand, proudly labels himself a non-conformist, opting to wear “the usual stuff in unconventional ways.” He likens his preferences in clothing and music not to an average Filipino, but more of someone “not from here, maybe from the US.”

Both are enthusiastic when it comes to discussing their relationship with Penshoppe. Endorsers for two years running now, they’ve recently signed another contract with the clothing label. With refreshing honesty and a laugh, Heart shares that she initially signed with Penshoppe because she just wanted to be with Echo. Caught at a difficult time in their relationship, she jumped at the possibility of being together with him on shoots and publicity tours. Now, it’s more than that fact that makes her stay. She’s developed a penchant for Penshoppe’s cropped jackets and different types of jeans, as they suit her many different and sometimes “complicated” moods.

Jericho’s decision to come on board with Penshoppe was made after seeing that the company’s image and goals were a good fit with his own. Since then, he’s also become a fan of their jeans, “from the slim cuts down to the cords”. He likes that they reference the “fifties, sixties, and all the decades” with their changing styles and varieties.  Echo has also come to enjoy the camaraderie between him and his fellow Penshoppe endorsers. He is open about his admiration for “Victor (Basa), and Matteo (Guidicelli) as “those guys are real kasi.”

Talk takes a turn toward being the youth’s role models. Why the popular culture appeal? Why have they come to represent this generation? Jericho says that it is his concern with present issues that make him relatable to the fans.  On a self-reflective note, Heart adds, “I guess I’m just like any other young person that lives her life and makes mistakes.” Her voice takes on an almost wistful tone, perhaps a betrayal of the many controversies that she’s had to battle. Despite that, she remains hopeful that she still serves as a good example to the many who look up to her. “A role model naman isn’t about being perfect. It’s about someone you can admire, on how she lives her life, and moves on and decides on certain things.”

A far cry from the teenybopper image that spawned both of them into instant popularity, Heart and Echo appear older now, and wiser. They’ve gone past the desire to be momentary showbiz headliners but instead lean towards longevity in their careers. Echo looks up to Gary V. as both mentor and idol, while Heart admires Natalie Portman for having made smart role choices and steering clear of the self-destructive road traveled by many young Hollywood stars. The couple, it seems, may have also gotten a dose of the nasty side that overexposure brings. On the image that people have of her, Heart emphatically states, “Oh my God, it’s media fabricated talaga. What I don’t like about [being in showbiz] is that people say stuff without even knowing who you really are. What they say is exaggerated, it’s not true talaga”. Echo adds, “I’m still struggling with the image people built of me. I just don’t want it to be a goal block from doing all the things that I can. I wanted to be a musician, now I’m a musician, but in the beginning it wasn’t that easy.”

Despite the controversies, and all the negativity, Heart and Echo, at the end of the day, are still thankful for all that they’ve been given.  “It’s such an honor to be given a voice, to be able to talk to the youth and influence them. That’s the best thing about it,” quips Heart.

Now their focus is on bigger and brighter things. Heart is over being “fifteen and maarte” and is getting ready to star in an upcoming soap opera. An album is also in the works for her, a focus on what she says is “the more non-showbiz side of things.”  She passed her iPod on to the ZEE team, playing two of the songs she is deciding on for her first single. If the two songs are any indication, Heart’s new album should prove to be a bit of a revelation. Hinting slightly of alternative and rock, it is edgy while maintaining commercial viability. Her album is perhaps an embodiment of who she has become and how she would like to be portrayed in the public eye. As of press time, Heart just recently made a move from ABS-CBN to GMA. She also switched managers. Her mom is managing her now and she has since moved back home with her parents, spurring rumors that she and Jericho have broken up. The rumors have yet to be confirmed or denied as of the writing of this article. Whatever the case, together or not, both Heart and Echo certainly have a lot to offer their fans in the not-too-distant future.

Jericho is currently working on an international film with actress Briana Evigan, of Step Up 2 fame. He also just launched his second album, a mix of jazz and alternative rhythms, and is busily promoting it. Another project that he is excited about is his starring role in a Malaysian soap.

Three dimensional. Extremely approachable. Easy to talk to. A little vulnerable. Passionate. And refreshingly honest. That, in a few words, sums up Penshoppe’s token angel and warrior. And to answer our initial query- Yes, these two really are as no-fuss as they seem.