MANILA, Philippines - “It is inspiring and motivating. It is about women empowerment, about family, about a daughter’s love for her father,” says Kim Chiu of her childhood memories of the Disney animated film about the princess named Mulan, whom she is “portraying” in the 2015 Disney Princess calendar, made by the Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.
Given her Oriental looks, Kim perfectly fits the character that symbolizes courage and selflessness in the tale based on the Chinese legendary figure Fa Mulan.
“It is really a nice story and a timeless movie (animation) that you can watch (and appreciate) if you’re four years old or you reach 60. You can still watch it and you’ll be inspired by the movie,” she adds.
The Disney princess’ story is somehow close to Kim’s journey as the then showbiz aspirant from Cebu to now established young actress. That’s why she never had second thoughts of getting on board the Disney Southeast Asia calendar project.
“Its hashtag is #determinedprincess. Parang totoong ako,” shares the Star Magic talent. “I’m really determined after everything that has happened to me and in my life. The story of Mulan is about proving others wrong like if people have doubts about me, I can prove them wrong.” The calendar reminds the young not just about the iconic princesses that Disney has churned out in the past decades, but also the good qualities the princesses possess that everyone can emulate. As Kim puts it, “They (the Disney people) want (the princesses) relatable to kids. They are not just cartoons or drawings. They are like reality princesses.”
Reality-wise, Kim is aware of the role model responsibility which is inherent to her celebrity status. She has handled it well and her following is a testament to it.
“They were very happy,” recalls Kim of her fans’ initial reaction over the project. “The moment I posted the clues: It has 12 days of princesses. Can you guess what princess I am? Almost all of them said, ‘Mulan, Mulan.’ The response was really nakakatuwa (overwhelming). Their comments were all positive. They were encouraging. I’m just thankful to Disney Southeast Asia for choosing me.”
Asked how she snagged the deal, Kim says, “(Disney Southeast Asia) did a survey. Then, they contacted Star Magic and we did a photo shoot. Nakaka-happy, nakaka-proud. It’s a dream come true to become a Disney princess — na naging reality siya for me. It was a big thing to be working with Disney. It feels good to inspire little girls and also the other fans of Disney.”
After everything had been finalized, Kim flew in to Bangkok, Thailand for a photo shoot. “We were grouped into four. So a different group did the shoot per day. Sarah (Geronimo as Rapunzel) and I didn’t have the chance to see each other. She did her shoot on the third day. I did mine on the second day. The experience was fun. The photographer, if I remember it right, has a Filipina mom. And the photographer knows me from my old teleserye Tayong Dalawa, with an English translation The Two of Us. He said, ‘I watch you in The Two of Us.’ It’s what they are watching now (in Thailand). I had to act because I had to be in character — like the facial expression. I was doing two characters — the boy Mulan and the girl Mulan.” During the shoot, Kim had to remind herself that the girl has a charming personality, while the guy is fierce. Playing a dual role is not new to her. Kim recalls she played a girl character who pretended to be a boy in Binondo Girl.
Aside from the Disney project, Kim is set to be seen in a light drama opposite perennial small screen partner Xian Lim. The Star Creatives teleserye will be KimXi’s first project this year. It is based on a Wattpad (online) book. Kim also shares that she will release an album sometime this year. “Gugulatin ko na lang sila,” says Kim, who can star in a TV series which can be aired in other Asian territories. “Given the chance, why not? Siyempre, go lang nang go.”
“I used to be shy and I seemed to be lacking in self-confidence,” Kim looks back. “Parang kaya ko ba ‘to? Kaya ko ba ‘yan? Hindi ko kaya. Tinanggal ko na yun. If I’ll be given a project, I will do my best. I know I can make it. I know I can do it.”
And that’s Kim speaking, the determined Kapamilya primetime princess.