Heart Evangelista, a global fashion icon and the queen of luxury, is no stranger to the finer things in life. Her followers are accustomed to seeing her adorned with the world’s most exclusive designer brands. But a video surfacing from her birthday celebration last year (2024) has ignited a massive public firestorm, and it all centers on one extravagant gift from her husband, Senator Chiz Escudero. Her reaction of pure, unadulterated shock, captured in the single word, “How?!”, is now being echoed by an entire nation—not in admiration, but in deep suspicion. The gift, a stunning ring, has blown the lid off a shocking financial discrepancy that has everyone asking the same question: how was this possible?

The item at the center of the storm is not just any piece of jewelry. It is a breathtaking Paraiba Tourmaline gemstone, surrounded by diamonds, a gem known for its rarity and intense color. The ring is reportedly valued by experts at a staggering $1 Million US dollars, which translates to roughly ₱56 to ₱60 million. In the viral clip, Heart is seen in a state of sheer ecstasy, exclaiming, “I always wanted a Paraiba!” Her joy is palpable, but it’s her confused, shocked question to her husband—”How?!”—that has become the central exhibit in this unfolding drama. She seemed genuinely baffled as to how her husband could have possibly acquired such a sought-after piece.

Heart’s “How?” may have been a simple expression of spousal surprise, but the public quickly re-contextualized it as a serious financial question. Eyebrows were raised when social media users and commentators began circulating Senator Escudero’s official Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). According to his own declaration, the politician’s entire net worth is reportedly only ₱18 Million. This is the bombshell detail: how does a public servant with a total declared net worth of ₱18 Million purchase a single gift that costs more than three times his entire stated fortune? The math does not add up, and the public is demanding answers.

This is where the “scam” (or ‘nabudol’) of the video’s title comes into play. The budol, or trick, isn’t one that Escudero played on Heart. Instead, the public feels they are the ones being played. The numbers are so wildly different that they defy logic. The controversy has split into two main theories, both of which are deeply troubling. The first, and less likely, theory is that the ring itself is a high-quality “fake.” This is almost universally dismissed by commentators and the public alike, as Heart Evangelista is a global fashion connoisseur with deep connections in the world of high jewelry. She is considered an expert in her own right and would almost certainly know the difference between a real Paraiba and a counterfeit.

This leads the public to the second, more explosive theory: the ring is 100% real, and it’s the Senator’s SALN that is “fake.” This is the core of the public’s outrage. The implication being made across social media is that the Senator must have access to funds far, far beyond what he has legally declared to the public. The ₱60 Million ring is being held up as blatant, physical evidence that his declared ₱18 Million net worth is not the full picture, a suggestion that carries serious legal and ethical implications for a public official in the Philippines.

In the middle of this financial and political firestorm is Heart Evangelista herself. Her reaction in the video is one of genuine, unfiltered joy and surprise. She is not an active participant in the financial questions; she is simply the recipient of a lavish gift she had always dreamed of. However, her fame and her massive public platform are the very reasons this discrepancy was noticed by millions, turning her personal happy moment into a massive public relations crisis for her husband. Her innocent “How?” has become the rallying cry for citizens demanding accountability and transparency.

The public is left with the same question Heart asked, but with a far more serious and suspicious tone. “How?” How was this purchase made? Where did the money come from? Was it a gift to him? Was it purchased over time? Or is it, as many suspect, proof of wealth that has not been properly declared? The controversy highlights the immense scrutiny placed on public officials and their families in the digital age, where every luxury purchase is cross-referenced with public documents.

The video, which started as a simple “happy birthday” moment, has now become a symbol of a massive, unexplained financial mystery. Heart Evangelista’s joy over her $1 Million ring has inadvertently exposed a ₱42 Million gap between her husband’s gift and his entire declared net worth. As the public continues to dig for answers, the Senator is left in a difficult position. The video proves one of two things: either the ring is fake, or the SALN is. And as one commentator noted, “I doubt the ring is fake.” The public is waiting for an answer.