While they may continue to remain secretive about the true status of their relationship, Kim Chiu was more than ready to defend her love team partner Xian Lim against his bashers.
The incident happened during Banana Nite’s” Chinese New Year episode where Xian reportedly made fun and mocked Kim Chiu’s impersonator. Netizens viewed Xian’s remarks as rude and the actor has since been getting a lot of negative criticisms for his actions.
At the launch of GSK’s Win Against Asthma campaign, where Kim was introduced as its newest celebrity ambassador, Kim asked people not to be too judgemental about Xian. “Sana huwag muna sila humusga kaagad sa tao kasi kami, hindi niyo naman alam kung anong nangyari backstage. Ang nakita lang nila yung sa TV so sana tama na yung hate words,” she told reporters.
Kim added Xian had been quiate affected by the situation. “Malungkot siya. Actually hindi ko alam paano siya i-chi-cheer up. Kasi siyempre yung mga tao sa social media ang sasakit magsalita. Siyempre hindi natin maiiwasahan yun and hindi rin maiwasan ni Xian na masaktan kasi hindi lang ata umabot ng three minutes yun, buong mundo na yung humuhusga sa kanya. Sobra siyang malungkot, hindi mo siya makausap. As in hindi siya kumakain, hindi siya nagappagupit ng hair. Ayaw niya, sobra siyang na-down kasi ang daming bashers sa Instagram.”
Personally, Kim said she doesn’t think Xian was being intentionally rude to her ka-loka like if he had only been told by the production staff of the show. “Kasi ako or kahit sinong artista na hindi mo alam yung blocking mo sa stage, lumabas ka na lang, kumanta ka, eh hindi mo alam sa kalagitnaan ng kanta mo may sisingit sa likod. Siyempre ka- kahit ako magugulat ako na parang, ‘Ay! Anong nangyari?’ kasi kinakabahan ako, kinakabahan kami sa stage sa pagkanta tapos pagtingin mo may tao. Hindi niya kasi alam….Sana sinabi lang ng ‘Banana Split’ na, ‘O Xian may lalabas ah.’ Sana sinabing ganun. So hindi siya aware. So ako naman pag may lumabas na lalake sa likod ko, (iisipin ko) saan nanggaling ito?” she divulges.”
Ending the interview, the young actress attests that the Xian she knows has never been anything but a gentleman. “Of course, hindi ko naman siya kakaibiganin kung bastos siyang tao. Siguro oo (mag-low profile muna siya) kasi sa ngayon hindi ata siya makakapagsalita kasi na-shock siya sa nangyari. Sobra siyang down na down, nakakaawa.”
From the skinny chinky-eyed Cebuana teenager from Pinoy Big Brother teen edition, Kim has grown into one of the most popular actresses in local showbiz.
Hailed as the country’s Teleserye Princess, a box-office queen, and one of the most pleasant and wholesome girls in the industry, one may think that Kim Chiu has had it easy.
Not many know that Kim also suffers from asthma. Kim shares that she has suffered from asthma since high school and has been dealing with it it for over 5 years now.
‘Eversince masyado na akong active. Back in high school, I played volleyball, basketball and even sipa,’ she quipped. One day, Kim shares that she just coughed non-stop and experienced unexplained shortness of breath accompanied by rapid heartbeat. She was rushed to the hospital and was eventually diagnosed with asthma. Entering showbusiness made it more challenging to manage her asthma as it entailed a lot of hours of taping and working overtime, not to mention the constant lack of sleep.
‘Sa work naming mga artista, kasama namin ang pagod at puyat pero syempre hindi naman talaga maiiwasan yun para makapagbigay saya sa iba,’ she shared. And for Kim, it is no question that the saying ‘the show must go on’ holds true even with her condition.
Kim says she heeds the advice of her doctor but doesn’t ‘baby’ her sickness to the point of limiting herself. ‘Kung lahat nalang ng bawal, eh, sereyosohin ko ng grabe, I will miss half of my life kaya naman ready lang parati ang gamot ko at in moderation lang ang pagka-active as much as possible.’
When she feels an attack coming, she gets as much air and water as possible. She has also learned to manage her sickness by being ready and having her medications handy at all times – in her bag, her car, etc. Kim recognizes that being an asthmatic comes with a lot of restrictions; however, she does not allow her asthma to stop her from doing what she wants and loves to do. ‘Pag artista ka, hindi naman puro acting, shows, TV and movies na lang. Syempre, may gagawin ka ring iba para malibang at maging normal. Kaya nagsimula na rin akong mag-gym para mag gain ng weight, tumakbo, mag-badminton at paminsan-minsan, mag-swim.’
Kim is also a certified dog-lover and many are aware that pets can trigger asthma. She also has a niece living with her and together, they share their love for dogs. ‘Meron kaming tatlong Pomeranian at para silang mga furball. One white, one chocolate brown and the other, light brown.’ Kim also shared that she cannot simply give up her dogs and over the years, she has
learned to deal with having them around safely by not being too close and playful and by limiting the hugging. ‘Alam ko na kung ano ang nakaka-tigger kaya iiwasan ko na. Pero, love ko parin ang dogs namin at hindi mawawala yon, plus of couse, parating ready ang gamot at maintenance ko.’
With Kim’s active lifestyle and work in tow – the klieg lights, singing, dancing and acting, Kim has come to terms with the fact that asthma will be with her for life. For others like her who are living with asthma, Kim’s advice is to be happy, enjoy and live life to the fullest. “Sa lahat ng may asthma na katulad ko, ‘wag po kayong matakot sa sakit natin. We can do whatever we want, as long as alaga nyo ang sarili nyo, regular na magpatingin sa doktor at may gamot tayo, kaya natin ito!’
