Kim Chiu said that the story of her upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye Love Thy Woman happens very much in real life.
The family drama, which premieres on February 10 as replacement for Kadenang Ginto, explores the dynamics of a modern Filipino-Chinese family.
Kim plays Jia Wong, a daughter from the second family of a Filipino-Chinese tycoon named Adam Wong (played by Christopher de Leon).
Kim who said she’s “75 percent Chinese” experienced a similar complicated setup growing up.
When asked about her similarities with her character, her being Fil-Chinese, the actress opened up: “In real life, I’m the first family. My dad has also lot of wives, one, two, three, four, mga ganun. Pero kami, ako yung una. Sila (other family) ‘yung parang hindi masyadong pinapansin, pero pinapansin sila ng Papa ko. O, may bubog sa Papa (laughs), hindi. Pero fair din kasi yung Papa ko, para siyang real Adam. Eto talaga ang nangyayari sa totoong Chinese family.”
She continued, “Kaya nga pag-tinitingnan ko, pag nag-aarte kami, sabi ko, shucks, kawawa rin pala yun mga anak ng Papa ko no? Yung mga ganun kasi pag first family, ikaw yung pinaka matapang. My character plays (the daughter in) the second family but now I understand how they’re feeling, mga kapatid ko sa labas.”
The first-time revelation was made during the presscon for her series on Friday.
Nevertheless, Kim said she doesn’t hide the fact on her Instagram.
“Pinopost naman sila sa Instagram, madami naman kami. Masipag yung Papa ko (laughs). Di mapagmahal lang yung Papa ko and it really happens talaga, totoo talaga siya and accepted siya ng lahat ng wife, pero di pinapakita. Pero in this teleserye, you can see what really happens inside a modern Chinese family.”
At first, Kim talked lightheartedly about this part of her personal life, but she turned emotional when asked how this “extended family” reality affected her views on love.
She began, “Growing up, lagi ako nag-wo-wonder nasaan ang Papa ko, lagi siyang nawawala, pag may special event, lagi kasi niyang pinupuntahan. Hindi kasi siya bahay, city siya, so nililipad niya talaga yun.”
According to Kim, she grew accustomed to having an absent father growing up. Still, she found a way to make sure she would get to see her father as often as she could.
“So habang lumalaki, OK na ako na wala akong father figure, pero pag may special event, nandiyan siya. Kunyari aawardan ako — honor student kasi ako nung elementary ako gusto ko lang sabihin — sino pupunta, sino aakyat, tapos magugulat nalang ako, si Papa pala. Dumating pala siya.
“So yun ang naging motivation ko, mag-aral ako ng mabuti para everytime may award, pupunta siya. Tapos may mga birthdays… naiiyak ako, ayoko na, yun lang, ano ba, kaya iyakin ako sa Love Thy Woman,” she trailed off, tearing up and not finishing her answer.
One thing’s for sure, Kim showed no bitterness and ill feelings towards her father and half-siblings as she said she posts about them.
True enough, she shared photos of her family happily celebrating the Chinese New Year over the weekend.
She told her followers: “Wishing everyone love, peace, happiness and multiple blessings for the year of the Metal Rat!!!!”
