MANILA -- Amid challenges in her personal life that end up in the public eye, Kim Chiu said she draws strength from the people who surround her with love, including her on-screen partner, Xian Lim.
In recent months, the 23-year-old actress' struggles -- including her rift with former best friend, Maja Salvador, and the death of her mother, Louella Yap Chiu -- made headlines, despite her keeping mum on personal matters.
Without going into detail about either issue, Chiu said she tries to be positive by keeping in mind the saying, "Everything happens for a reason."
"I always hold on sa saying [na iyon] sa buhay ko. Lahat 'to may rason, eh. Hindi ko lang alam kung ano 'yung reason... 'Yung iba may sagot na sa mga tanong ko," she said in an interview on "Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday.
Asked what she would like to say to her eldest sister, Lakambini, who became her spokesperson of sorts after their mother's death last month, Chiu said, "Sobra akong nagpapasalamat, not just to Ate Lakam, but to all my brothers and my sisters, and 'yung dad ko, and Xian na rin."
Chiu has three other siblings -- Twinkle, JP and William. She renewed ties with her father, William Chiu, Jr. in May, after a five-year estrangement.
"[Nanatili akong matatag dahil] nakapalibot 'yung mga taong alam mong nagmamahal sa' yo," the actress said.
Turning to Lim, who was beside her during the joint interview, Chiu added, "Sobra akong nagpapasalamat dahil palagi mo akong pinapangiti, pinapatawa, pinapasaya."
Lim, who has been vocal of his admiration for Chiu, responded: "Thankful ako na dumating ka sa life ko. Thankful ako na marami akong natutunan sa 'yo."
The on-screen couple, dubbed "KimXi" by their loyal fans, on Friday won the Love Team of the Year award at the Yahoo! OMG event held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Although the two weren't able to attend the awarding ceremony, Chiu posted a video of her and Lim in London thanking their fans for voting for them in the OMG polls.
The Kapamilya "love team" are also set to topbill a movie together for the first time with "Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?" which will hit theaters nationwide on July 31 as part of Star Cinema's 20th anniversary celebration.
