Kim Chiu has received a lot of bashing and judgment since the rise of social media. But one of the heights of bashing him was when his confusing “Do not go out” explanation that was taken from an interview where he expressed his opinion about health protocols and how people violate them went viral. during the height of the pandemic. He even related his passionate statement to the classroom scenario. His resignation was passionate because his emotion was also coming from the shutdown of ABS-CBN that even coincided with the pandemic.

(Her viral quote then went: “In the classroom, there’s a law. You’re not allowed to go out. Oh, you’re not allowed to go out. But when they say…when you comply with the law that you’re not allowed to go out but you did something they forbid, you fixed that law by classroom and you say it again, you can go out now.”)

Because of this, Netizens made fun of him and made him ridiculous. He was even made into memes and the bashing never seemed to end.

But being good natured, he was able to turn the situation into positive. First, she admitted that even she, when she read her statement, did not get what message she wanted to convey. Laughed at himself, in short, which is a sign of being a good sport.

And because of this, he thought of making shirts with the sale of which he donated to charity. It was also made into a hiphop single by a creative DJ/songwriter and when he sang it, it became a hit during the peak of the pandemic lockdown.

It was also made into a web series by ABS-CBN, which Kim also starred in.

The latest incarnation of his “Bawal Lumabas” viral quote is another full-length movie that is now an official entry in the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival— Huwag Kang Lalabas, which has been made into a horror trilogy.

Because of this, Kim feels vindicated that he released a confusing quote in 2020.

“Of course, I’m happy,” he said with a smile to Kim happily. “I’m celebrating myself because after they trampled me, disfigured me, whatever they say is unpleasant to the ears. 

“Happy… from bashing, it became a blessing. That’s how I look at him. And I don’t know what was in people’s minds when he became a song, then he became a series and now, he became a movie . He has really come full circle and I think, it’s meant to be. Because he seems to have adapted to our time last year when we were not really allowed to go out.

“And now that it’s getting a little easier, don’t go out if you don’t want to meet a ghost,” he laughed in his promo segue.

But as Kim said, his viral quote has gone everywhere. 

“I am very grateful that our industry accepted him like this,” he said.

“Even though it wasn’t good for me then, at least now, it’s slowly coming back and I’m gaining from those bashing.”

But looking back, Kim admitted that he was really affected by the bashing during those times last year.

“Of course, during those times , I was down, like I was in a slump. I don’t seem to know what it is? Sometimes I get asked, do I pray the rosary every day?

“Once, I really said, ‘Why me? I’m not doing anything wrong?’ So, it’s like that. So that’s it… maybe Lord knows that I have a strong heart. He knows I can get through this. So, I’m happy that I fell down before I experienced what’s happening now.

“Because, I got to know myself better. That I still have something to give. I still have strength. My career doesn’t just end there .”

But at that time, he thought that his career was over.

“I thought that was all, well, no more, ba-bye Kim Chiu. But I just resisted all that. Like a ghost, you will fight.”

“They said I’m not allowed to go out,” he added jokingly but seriously . “Well, I went out. So, take care of that. I am here!”

He said that being a part of It’s Showtime also helped him a lot . He said it was a big thing that his colleagues supported him. And it is also because of the show that he started to laugh again.

On the other hand, Kim denied the news that she and boyfriend Xian Lim are planning a wedding. 

This is despite the news that her long-time boyfriend proposed

“What time is it? Oh, it’s getting late. I hope it’s now, eh,” he joked to the press during the Huwag Kang Lalapas physical media conference.

“No, I don’t know yet ,” he continued. “I think, Xian is the only one you should ask. Shame on Xian. Nothing yet.”

But if Xian does propose to her, is she ready?

“Oh, that’s a serious question!” Kim laughed. “It’s really here at the horror presscon ? Hahahaha!

“Let’s just see. It’s hard to hope right away. But, we love each other.”

Meanwhile, according to Kim, they had no idea when or if their horror trilogy Huwag Kang Lalapas would be released or if it would be released in cinemas because the pandemic was still at the height of the pandemic when they were shooting for it.

And the reason why he accepted the project is because he really misses acting.

“I really missed acting and then, I was offered this movie . And then, that’s it, horror. Another challenging movie for me because it scares me.

“That’s one of my challenges in acting because I’m really scared. The fears I sometimes have on the scene, that’s true.

” Sometimes, I get scolded because the ghost [ the actor] is just coming , I’m about to run. So, look at the ghost first. It shouldn’t surprise me. We should meet first.”

“I took up the challenge without knowing that the cinemas would return . And then, we even entered the Metro Manila Film Fest.  It’s a good feeling that when the cinema returns, we are among those selected by the Metro Manila Filmfest,” he said.

Kim was once labeled as the Millennial Horror Princess but in real life she is said to be really scary. But he thinks he’s not the ghost type—something he’s thankful for.

“Luckily, ghosts don’t bet me . They probably know that I will scare them and I will scream at them hardcore .

“‘Isn’t it, if someone asks for help, I might not be able to give them help. Maybe they’re just telling me, ‘Ayyyy not p’wede!,” he answered with a shriek.