No matter which way you look at Heart Evangelista these days, there is no doubt that one of the most beautiful faces of Philippine show business is simply happy.

Her career to start with is still very much on the rise. After headlining two of 2012’s most successful original prime time dramas on GMA Network—Legacy and Luna Blanca—she ended the year with another plum project for television, taping over the holidays with the original Queen of Philippine Movies, Gloria Romero. The drama series, titled Forever, will start off her New Year when it premieres on January 21 over the network’s afternoon programming.

“There have been people asking me how I feel about having a teleserye in the afternoon when I’ve already been doing prime time dramas for a long time,” Heart told The Manila Times over a brief one-on-one interview on Tuesday. “My answer is that I’m very happy to do it because for one, I’m not an ‘issues’ person; and I also know that GMA’s afternoon block is very popular so show in the afternoon will allow me to reach a different and wider audience.”

Add to that, said Heart, is being cast with the highly respected actress Gloria Romero in a story reminiscent of the ‘80s classic movie, Somewhere in Time.

“To be told that I’d be the young Gloria Romero was reason enough for me to say yes to the project,” she enthused. “And I just really loved the story line of Forever.”

Heart plays the role of Adora in the series, the sole heiress to a wealthy sugar plantation set in the 1950s. Despite her social status, the beautiful haciendera falls passionately in love with a poor farmer named Ramon (Geoff Eigenmann), and against her father’s will, pledges to stay with him forever.

The forbidden romance eventually leads to Ramon’s death, but decades later, Adora is given a second chance to be reunited with her one true love who has been reincarnated in a painter named Patrick. A mysterious lady gives the old Adora an antique pocket watch that brings back her youth and reminds Patrick of his past life.

“The way we’re taping the series in terms of production value and budget is just the same as a prime time drama,” shared Heart. “So I’m really very excited with this project.”

Forever’s cast, which also features Isabel Oli, Saab Magalona, Gian Magdangal and Candy Pangilinan, has already canned three weeks’ worth of episodes before the year even began, which kept Heart very busy over Christmas.

Did she have time for her equally famous boyfriend, Sen. Chiz Escudero, over the holidays?

“Yes I did,” she happily replied. “Even when I was busy taping for Sosy Problems [GMA Film’s entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival], we still saw each other. He’d bring food to the set. He’s really very thoughtful.”

Together now for eight months, the senator’s announcement that he was dating the much younger actress was one of 2012’s biggest headlines.

“If he would be out of town for speaking engagements and official functions, he’ll still try to take the last flight back to Manila so we can see each other,” she carried on. “He’s really a very regular guy; he even drives his own car with no back up. We started out as friends so the conversation’s really great.”

Over the New Year, Sen. Chiz surprised Heart with a trip to the beach with their friends. “He’s not into giving expensive gifts; he’d rather give me something I can remember like a trip—something I can write about in my journal.”

As to whether she will join him on the campaign trail before the May 2013 general elections, Heart replied in the negative, quickly that it has nothing to do with her busy showbiz schedule.

“He made it clear he doesn’t want me to join the campaign sorties so we can avoid any issues that he’s just using our relationship,” she explained.

With her career and personal life exactly where she wants them to be, what else could this happy Heart ask for?

Forever is directed by Ricky Davao and will air weekdays after Eat Bulaga starting January 21.