Last September, Kapamilya multihyphenate Kim Chiu flew to Taipei, Taiwan, to attend the awarding ceremony of the ContentAsia Awards 2024,from which she received a nomination as Best Female Lead in a TV Programme/Series for her notable performance in the hit drama series “Linlang.”
And a day prior to the event, she and her dynamic Team Chinita, comprised by hairstylist RJ Dela Cruz, makeup artist Jake Galvez, hair and makeup artist Haidee Fernandez, fashion stylist Adrianne Concepcion, Star Magic road manager Yanie Camante, film director Isaias Zantua, and her beloved Ate Lakam, departed for Taiwan for them to still have time for a little #KimAdvenCHIUre. She shared a few clips of their short trip, a.k.a. team building, in the latest vlog uploaded on her YouTube channel.
As soon as they arrived, they wasted no time roaming around Taipei to explore and experience what the country has to offer. Just when Kim declared that she was ready for the sunny weather and their hiking to Shifen Waterfall, it quite got spoiled as it suddenly rained. So, they decided to just swing by a nearby café, where she was able to utilize her Mandarin speaking skills when she ordered coffee.
Afterwards, they headed to the Shifen Lantern Square for the famous sky lantern experience. They built two lanterns, with the group of her Ate Lakam opting for colors that represent health, money, career, and happiness, while the group of Kim chose the colors that signify money, love, success, and happiness. They wrote their wishes on each side of the lantern, with Kim showing off her skills in writing her name in Chinese.
She was able to shoot a literally “buwis-buhay” video when she struck various poses by the railroad while a train was passing through. They then set off their lanterns and shot more photos at the famous tourist spot.
Later that evening, they had a sumptuous and fun food trip at a hotpot restaurant, then wandered around the vibrant Ximending Night Market.
Their Day 2 in Taiwan began with the “It’s Showtime” host going on a jog in the morning all by herself. After freshening up, she once again went out, but this time with her Ate Lakam, Ate Haidee, and her videographer. They accompanied Kim in ticking off another item on her list, which was to apparently go shopping for elegant gowns and biking attire. They went back to the hotel a few hours before the ceremony for her and her Ate Lakam to get all glammed up.
She and her team were initially torn between the two gowns they had prepared for the ceremony but eventually decided to go for the black one, which was a cutout ensemble created by Francis Libiran. The decision was made after she received advice from someone for her to get dressed in black as it represented her “Linlang” character, Juliana, to which she was nominated and the reason why she was there.
“Grabe, punong-puno talaga ‘yong puso ko ng pasasalamat. I feel so proud to represent the Filipinos and ABS-CBN. Grabe, lalo na no’ng tinawag na ang pangalan ko to present the award, naramdaman ko talaga na kasama ko ang mga Kapamilya natin,” Kim said as the clip of her presenting the award for Best Asian Series made for regional or international market, which was jointly won by Thailand’s “Betrayal” and Japan’s “Traces of Graces”, was being shown in the vlog.
Unfortunately, she and Kaila both weren’t able to snag the respective awards they were vying for. But they were still glad and honored that their hard work in “Linlang” was recognized by an award-giving body as huge as the ContentAsia Awards.
“Hindi man tayo pinalad ngayon, I know God has still plans for us. Being nominated along with other actors from different parts of Asia is already an honor for me lalo na kasama ko ang mga taong walang sawang tumutulong at sumusuporta sa akin. Kaya maraming, maraming, maraming salamat. Feeling ko talaga nanalo na talaga ako,” Kim said via voiceover. Being nominated sa ganitong award-giving body, naku, I’m overflowing with gratefulness. Di ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko pero sobrang saya ko lang talaga.”
Nonetheless, she and the Team Chinita still ended the day with a celebratory group hug.
The vlog capped off with Kim stating, “It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about beating the doubt from within yourself and knowing at the end of each day, you’re one step closer to your goals. Importante, nandiyan ‘yong mga mahal mo sa buhay kahit ano pa man ang marating natin. Kaya mas lalo ko pang pagbubutihan para sa mga susunod pang journey. At siyempre, kasama ko pa rin kayo.”
