Advice from Kim Chiu: ‘You just have to be yourself’

MANILA, Philippines – Kim Chiu may have a bevy of fans and lots of success, but much like her latest Disney role, she says that believing in yourself is the most important thing. “You just have to be yourself, ‘yun ang importante.”  

(“You just have to be yourself, that’s what’s important.”)

Kim Chiu and singer-actress Sarah Geronimo were among the 12 other Southeast Asian ladies who took a break from their day jobs to became Disney princesses for a day, in a shoot for the brand’s 2015 calendar. 

Kim Chiu played the misfit daughter-turned-warrior Mulan, whose main purpose of bringing honor to the family turned into a mission to save China. 

Growing up in among a generation of Disney viewers who experienced the first releases of classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and yes, Mulan, among others – shaped the way she saw the world.

“Disney influenced me to see the world like a fairytale, siyempre in terms of love life. Diba we grew up watching Disney movies, parang feel good, parang there’s no problem.

“I feel like a princess, a warrior princess, siyempre with Disney itself. It’s such an honor and it’s such a dream come true for me to become one of the Disney princesses, and I’m very happy and I’m very honored to be chosen as Mulan.”

(“Disney influenced me to see the world like a fairytale, in terms of love life. We grew up watching movies that made us feel good, like there are no problems in the world. I feel like a princess, a warrior princess with Disney. It’s such an honor and a dream come true for me to become one of the Disney princesses, and I’m very happy and I’m very honored to be chosen as Mulan.”)

She is like Mulan in a lot of ways, she told Rappler. “Mulan is really family-oriented – she loves her family, and courageous, brave, loyal – I think I have those traits.” 

But most importantly, Mulan taught her the courage to take charge. “She [Mulan] saved her dad. Her dad was sick. So, yung lesson lang doon, ‘pag hindi na kaya ng mga friends mo or pati ng family mo, you have to take responsibility yourself. Like what I am now, I took the responsibility of my parents. I’m the breadwinner.”

(“She [Mulan] saved her dad. Her dad was sick. So, the lesson there is, if the problems are too much for your friends even for your family, you have to take responsibility yourself. Like what I am now, I took the responsibility of my parents. I’m the breadwinner.”)

Her confidence shone throughout the interview, where she mentioned show business as that push that gave her confidence. “Fame has changed me in terms of my confidence. Before, I really, really lacked confidence. I’m shy to talk to a lot of persons, I’m shy to show what I can do na I can sing and I can dance and I can act. I get really, really shy with those things. Showbiz taught me to be more confident and show the world what I have.” 

Her older sister Lakam is her role model and go-to person when she has problems. “We’re really close – I sleep beside her. I talk to her about those things because she’s the only one who understands me.” 

“She [Lakam]’s like a mom to us [siblings],” Kim told Rappler. “Wala na si Mom and Dad has another family. So it’s just us nalang.”

(“Lakam is like a mom to us [siblings]. Mom is no longer here and Dad has another family, so it’s just us.”)

She also shared advice on love. “I’ve learned a lot about relationships. You just have to be yourself and kapag you’re not ready to settle, you just have to have fun with your someone.” 

“And one thing, a big NO-NO,” she wagged her pointer finger, laughing. “Never, ever check his phone. Don’t get his phone, don’t read the messages kasi doon nagsastart ‘yung away.” (That’s where the fighting starts).

While the actress is more known for her dramatic teleserye roles, recent films like Bride for Rent, Bakit ‘Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo, and Past Tense have allowed her to showcase her versatility in comedy. 

“For me I divide myself eh – sa tv, I do more drama kasi that’s what I’m used to doing and then in movies I do comedy kasi parang for two hours, people will watch you on the big screen. I want them to go out of the movie house smiling, laughing. Sa TV, they can relate, ‘yung parang relatable ‘yung pinapanood nila ako.” 

(“For me I divide myself – on television, I do more drama because that’s what I’m used to doing, and in movies I do comedy because people will watch you on the big screen for two hours. I want them to go out of the theater smiling and laughing. On TV, they can relate – or rather, I’m more relatable when people watch me on television.”)

2014, most especially, was a big year for Kim. “I won the Best Actress Award [at the Star Awards for her role in soap opera Ikaw Lamang] so I’m very happy and I’m very thankful. Yun palang it made my year na. I won din sa Yahoo Awards, sa Pep. I feel appreciated by my fans.”

Fans of Kim have a lot to look forward to this 2015, as she will have two movies in a row. Plus, she’ll be in a soap opera with constant onscreen partner and rumored beau Xian Lim, starting February, and a lot more. 

Kim added cheekily, “May one big surprise ako for my fans.”

(“I have a big surprise for my fans.”)

Check out this little video reminder from Kim:

 

– Rappler.com