Kim Chiu learned early that being blessed also meant having the responsibility to share those blessings.

She became her family’s breadwinner at a young age, taking on the role without anyone telling her she had to.

“I think natural sa pagiging Filipino na tumulong sa pamilya. Ako, I was young but I was being blessed, so I decided to be the breadwinner,” Chiu said.

It was a responsibility she embraced as her career in show business grew. Helping her family became part of her life, including supporting a younger sibling through aviation school in Canada.

For Chiu, however, helping does not stop with family.

She believes Filipinos have to look out for one another, particularly at a time when many are struggling with rising expenses, disasters and other difficulties.

“Kailangan talaga natin ngayon magtulong-tulong eh. Hindi mo kaya kung ikaw lang,” she said. “Kung marami kayong magtutulungan, mas uunlad tayo bilang bansa, bilang mga tao, at bilang Pilipino.”

That outlook was evident recently when Chiu joined WorldRemit in turning over a P500,000 donation to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation for communities affected by recent calamities.

Chiu said she was grateful that the donation would help Filipinos dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding and other hardships.

“Nakaranas tayo ng matinding pagbaha, matinding hirap ’yung mga kapwa natin. With the help of ABS-CBN Foundation, nag-donate sila ng pera para makapagbigay sa mga kababayan natin. Malaking tulong na rin ’yun,” she said.

For Chiu, the importance of such efforts lies in the number of people who can be reached when individuals and organizations work together.

Her own experience as a breadwinner has also made her mindful of the sacrifices made by people who constantly put others first.

Chiu specifically mentioned overseas Filipino workers who regularly send money to their families, sometimes at the expense of their own needs.

“Pero huwag din nating kalimutan ang sarili natin,” she said. “Kasi, diba, yung mga OFW, padala nang padala tapos nakakalimutan nila ang mga sarili nila.”

It is a reminder that Chiu herself has learned through experience. Taking care of others does not mean one should completely forget about taking care of oneself.

She also hopes Filipinos will not lose their willingness to help, even when they are dealing with problems of their own.

“Sana hindi mapagod ang mga Pilipinong magtulungan,” she said. “Kasi minsan, nakakapagod na maging Pilipino. Pero hindi mapapagod ang puso natin na tumulong talaga.”

For Chiu, entertaining Filipinos overseas is another way of giving something back, especially to those who deal with homesickness while working away from their families.

“Nakakatulong ako, tayo, na magbigay ng entertainment sa kanila, sa lungkot nila abroad,” she said. “At the same time, parang nakaka-happy lang to give entertainment because ’yan talaga ’yung work natin, to give them joy na hindi nila ma-miss ang Pilipinas.”