Kim Chiu reminds fellow breadwinners to prioritize themselves too

Kim Chiu got emotional as she reflected on her experience as a breadwinner, urging Filipinos supporting their families to remember to take care of themselves, too.

The actress-TV host discussed the realities of being a family breadwinner during an event for a money transfer services app on Monday, Aug. 24, in Quezon City.

Asked about her experience as a sister and breadwinner, particularly in relation to her brother who is based in Canada, Chiu said helping her family came naturally to her.

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READ: Vice Ganda calls Kim Chiu’s fans ‘cheap’; actress defends fans

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“Tayo kasing mga Pilipino, innate na kapag meron tayo, gusto natin i-share. Hindi tayo makasarili,” she said. “Kung sino ‘yung meron sa pamilya, siya ‘yung magbibigay. Kahit hindi naman nila hinihingi, kinukusa mo na lang. Parang sa aming pamilya, ako ‘yung blessed, so ako muna ‘yung tutulong,” she added.

Chiu noted that she became a breadwinner without her family explicitly asking her to take on the responsibility, saying, “’Yung instant attitude ng Filipino na tutulong talaga. Ganon ‘yung situation ko. Naging breadwinner na lang ako without them asking me.”

The actress previously shared that she used her earnings from showbiz to support her siblings’ education. Her younger brother, John Paul, pursued his dream of becoming a pilot, with Chiu financing his studies. He graduated from a pilot program in Canada and is now based there. Chiu said that she later extended the support to her nieces and nephews.

WATCH: Kim Chiu turns emotional as she shares her experience as a breadwinner for her family during an event in Quezon City on Monday, Aug. 24. “Do not forget about yourself,” Chiu said. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/CodIz8GnHZ

— Jessica Ann Evangelista (@JessEINQ) August 24, 2026

Despite her willingness to provide for her family, Chiu emphasized that breadwinners should not neglect their own needs.

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“Huwag natin kakalimutan na magtira pa rin para sa sarili natin,” she said, holding back her tears. “Kasi marami rin sa mga Filipino na ikaw mismo ‘yung kumikita, pero ikaw mismo ubos na. So do not forget about yourself. Because at the end of the day, may sarili kang buhay. May sarili silang buhay.”

Chiu’s comments also come amid her ongoing legal dispute with her elder sister, Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu. In December 2025, Kim filed a qualified theft complaint against Lakam, citing financial discrepancies involving her business operations. The actress called the decision one of the most painful steps she had taken and said she was taking legal action to protect her company and its employees. 

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In July 2026, Kim’s management, Star Magic, clarified that the actress remains firm in pursuing the case. The agency said statements Kim made about her sister in a 2023 interview reflected their circumstances at that time and no longer represented their current situation after information came to light in 2025.

Meanwhile, during Monday’s event, the company and Kim, who serves as its celebrity brand ambassador, turned over a ₱500,000 donation to the ABS-CBN Foundation International.