MANILA — Kim Chiu preferred to distance herself from the controversy surrounding the breakup of her fellow Star Magic artists Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo, who were both once involved in intrigues with her nearly a decade ago.

Kim Chiu reacts to the mention of her former boyfriend Gerald Anderson during a press huddle on Friday. ABS-CBN News

“Huwag na tayo sumali doon, kasi lahat naman sila, may pinagdadaanan sila ngayon,” she told reporters on Friday, when asked directly for her reaction to the separation.

“Siyempre, hindi biro ‘yun. Masakit ‘yun. Lahat sila may pinagdadaanang pain, so respetuhin na lang natin ‘yung mga desisyon nila,” she added.

Chiu was speaking on the sidelines of a press conference launching her as an endorser of the shampoo brand Nature’s Way.

Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu attend the Star Magic Ball in 2010, the same year they broke up. ABS-CBN.com

Chiu was formerly in a relationship with Anderson, who was also her long-time onscreen partner, until 2010, when the actor was reported to be courting Alonzo.

At the time, Star Magic reported to authorities that it had received “death threats” targeted at Anderson and Alonzo, prompting a denial from loyal “Kimerald” (Kim and Gerald) fans that their group was behind the messages.

Alonzo and Anderson belatedly confirmed in 2016 that they had a “whirlwind romance” — officially, for just three months — “six years ago.”

The “How to Be Yours” co-stars were set to celebrate their third anniversary in July 2019, but that no longer came to fruition with Alonzo’s revelation that Anderson “just started not talking to me” and had not accorded her a formal breakup.

Julia Barretto, a fellow Star Magic talent, has been accused as a factor in the separation, but Anderson has already cleared her name. Barretto also denied being involved, and called out Alonzo for inciting “bullying” in light of the latter liking Instagram posts alleging an affair between her and Anderson.

Chiu, on Friday, was also asked about Barretto and Anderson, in the context of the upcoming All-Star Games sporting event featuring stars of ABS-CBN.

Chiu and Barretto are the respective captains of the opposing teams in the women’s volleyball category, while Anderson will lead a team in the men’s basketball game against comedian Vice Ganda’s group.

Asked which team she will support in the men’s basketball category, Chiu said: “Siyempre, Team Kim lang ako! Doon lang ako sa volleyball!”

Ikaw talaga, paluin kita diyan, e,” she added, laughing. “Gusto mo i-spike kita?”

“Diyos ko, let’s all have fun on the 25th, kasi minsan lang mangyari ‘to,” she said, when asked for her message to both her fans and Barretto’s who might resort to heckling.

“Bawal mag-boo! No! Wala, dapat happy lang lahat. Dapat fun and games — iyon ang isip nila ‘pag pumasok sila sa Araneta Coliseum,” Chiu said.