Kim Chiu’s career continues to grow with more endorsements a hit TV show
Bernie Franco ( ABS-CBN Interactive ) 04.18.09
Kim Chiu undoubtedly has a lot of reasons to celebrate her 19th birthday, like her successful showbiz career that keeps on growing by leaps and bounds. Turning a year on April 19, Kim has now more than 20 endorsement deals and she gives credit to the top-rating soap opera Tayong Dalawa for giving her big exposure.

“Masaya po [ako] kasi maraming company na nagtitiwala sa akin. Tsaka dahil din sa Tayong Dalawa. Kung hindi rin naman sa exposure ko sa Tayong Dalawa, wala rin naman ang endorsements ko. Kaya sobrang thankful ako kasi malaking project talaga ‘yung Tayong Dalawa. Dun ako nagpapasalamat,” she beamed.

Now that she is 19, Kim said that she is also gradually shedding her pa-cute image and is all set to take on more mature roles. She already started this with her character in Tayong Dalawa, Aubrey, the lass caught up between two David Garcias played by Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca. “Sinabi naman po sa amin na pa-mature nang pa-mature [‘yung roles naming] at less ‘yung pa-cute,” revealed Kim.

But the change in image has proven to be challenging though as many people comment that her acting is sometimes overcast by the shadow of her teenybopper roles, like in her previous work in My Girl. “May iba din na [nagsasabing] nagpapa-cute pa rin ako pero hindi na. Pilit ko rin iniiwasan ‘yon,” she shared.

Aside from her acting, Kim revealed that she also takes other criticisms in stride. “Payat daw ako ganyan, boses bata at mukhang Tweety Bird daw ang labi ko. Nagbabasa ako ng comments sa Internet para makita ko rin ‘yung mga mali ko at kung ano ‘yung sinasabi nila,” the young actress revealed.

Since she turned 18 last year, Kim’s dad has finally allowed her to be on her own, returning to Mindoro to manage their family business. She is taking her newfound independence in stride by buying a 600-sq.m. lot where she plans to put up her dream house with a modern Zen-American design.