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Beauty and the Beach: Kim Chiu Takes a Break and Slows Down for a 3-Cover Summer Special With Metro

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<div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776877459405METRO COVER KIM CHIU BIRTHDAY 20th SHOWBIZ ANNIVERSARY SUMMER COVER 2 A.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Kim Chiu, as photographed by Dookie Ducay | On Kim: Custom ensemble by MAISON SORIANO and cherry necklace by H&amp;M</div><div> </div>Kim Chiu is among the busiest celebrities, and that stays true even after being in showbiz for 20 years. It’s particularly hard to squeeze in a cover shoot schedule with this in-demand artist because her grind typically goes from weekdays and Saturdays on It’s Showtime and Sundays on ASAP. And in between her staples, the actress, performer, and host, who just turned 36, also has other commitments involving series or movie promos, endorsements, and her businesses. Once in a while, Kim the “Chiurista” also sets aside time for vacations, some of which are still planned alongside the work schedule.  We knew it’d be a stretch to request an out-of-town shoot with Kim, but we tried anyway. And we were pleasantly surprised to learn that she was game to do it.Kim has always been a METRO cover girl—from the time she was a rising star till she became one of local showbiz’s biggest and brightest stars. She marked and celebrated milestone after milestone with the publication. As she turns 36 and marks her 20th showbiz anniversary this April, we wanted to celebrate with her again, bringing the total of her METRO covers to 35 with this latest three-cover special. <div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776586851196embed_Metro x Kim Chiu birthday and 20th showbiz anniversary T.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div>In 2009, Kim headlined the METRO Body issue, establishing her as one of the hottest and most promising young artists at the time. In 2010, she joined her fellow top Star Magic artists, like Kristine Hermosa, Bea Alonzo, and Angelica Panganiban, on the cover of METRO, further recognizing her star power. In 2011, she flew to Los Angeles for the publication’s “Big Style Issue,” shooting a two-cover special alongside Hollywood actor Matt Lanter. 2012 saw her gracing METRO’s “Celebrity Issue” alongside Bea Alonzo, Julia Montes, and Kathryn Bernardo, all the more solidifying her position in the industry as a fashion muse. In 2013, in her Ina, Kapatid, Anak and Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? era—two projects that showcased her versatility and range—she debuted on her first solo, two-cover special in time for the publication’s 24th anniversary. The following year, she celebrated with METRO again for its 25th anniversary, gracing one of the five covers featured then and sharing the spotlight with Toni Gonzaga, Liza Soberano, Megan Young, and Marian Rivera. In 2015, Kim worked with METRO twice—first for a group cover with her fellow ASAP regulars and second for a three-cover, year-ender/year kick-off special. Barely a year since she last shot a cover with the publication, she flew to London for the “Big Fashion Issue.” And the following year, in 2017, she starred anew in a METRO Body Issue, showcasing growth, maturity, and a fabulous physical transformation. Later that year, she marked the holiday season and welcomed the new year with METRO with a two-cover issue, making an impact yet again with her stardom and continued success.In 2019, on METRO’s 30th anniversary, Kim headlined a cover with Bea Alonzo and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, plus solo and group digital covers with the other top artists of her generation. That same year, she expressed support for her stylist by gracing Metro.Style covers alongside Adrianne Concepcion&#x27;s other celebrity muses. After the pandemic, she reconnected with the publication for another cover in 2023 to mark her project at the time, Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen. The following year, the cover girl starred in <a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/metro-body-2024-kim-chiu/37874" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">her solo METRO Body cover</a>, headlining a campaign that focused on body positivity.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776586985924KIM METRO BDAY 202614196.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Kim: Custom swimsuit and scarf by MAISON SORIANO and sunglasses by GUCCI</div><div> </div>Last year, Kim marked what she calls her “third love team era” with a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/3/2/kimpau-kim-chiu-and-paulo-avelino-metro-cover-for-my-love-will-make-you-disappear-0930" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">two-cover METRO special </a>alongside <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/3/5/metrostyle-exclusive-kim-chiu-paulo-avelino-first-film-together-my-love-will-make-you-disappear-1110" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">loveteam partner Paulo Avelino</a>. She also joined another group cover to celebrate<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/4/7/celebrating-belo-medical-group-s-35th-anniversary-in-a-special-abs-cbn-ball-x-metro-cover-1810" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> the ABS-CBN Ball and Belo Medical Group’s 35th anniversary</a>.Among her METRO covers, Kim cited 2015’s triple-cover special, which she shot in one day with three photographers and three different concepts, as her favorite. Different themes with different teams. “There was this time na I did three covers in one month, with three different glam teams,” she recalled. “Parang hindi mo siya maisip na p’wede mangyari. But with METRO, they made it happen. So, the impossible is possible. All in one day. So, we started sa morning with a different set of photographer, glam team, [and] stylist. Iba naman sa lunchtime down to the afternoon. Iba naman sa gabi. So, parang, ‘What?! Nagawa natin ’yun?’ Lahat ’yun, published in one month. Amazing talaga!”“With love teams, without love teams. From shooting abroad, swimsuit, gowns, lahat with METRO talaga,” Kim further looked back, grateful for the love and support at every phase of her career. “Hindi kayo nagsasawa sa akin. And it’s such an honor and [I’m] very grateful also to be given different types of looks na pwedeng i-explore.” This month’s three-cover special brings us to a total of 35 METRO covers with the 36-year-old Kim. After going through her long list of covers with the publication and studying all her looks, transformations, and backstories for each, we have arrived at a cover we have called “Postcards from Paradise.”<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776587160602embed_Metro x Kim Chiu birthday and 20th showbiz anniversary G.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Kim: Top, bikini bottom, sunglasses, and heels by H&amp;M; and bag by ARANAZ</div><div> </div>Celebrating 20 years in the entertainment industry calls for nostalgia, a trip down memory lane. And today, when nostalgia is such a huge trend, we presented her with a shoot that is like an ode to the past. We journeyed to her past, a trek through humble beginnings that felt like flipping through an old scrapbook, eventually landing in the cinematic, sun-drenched present.In retro-inspired fashion and postcard-pretty treatment, we took Kim to one of the places that always brings her calm despite any storm, peace amid chaos: the beach. She’s had many covers with METRO, but interestingly, this is something she’s never done with the publication. The shoot’s concept underscored both evolution and enduring appeal, encapsulating her story of growth and transformation then and now.Truth be told—and you may find it hard to believe—Kim is actually not into swimming in the beach or trying out watersports. She does love going to the beach for the relaxing vibe and to shoot content. Kim, who has also transitioned into vlogging and content creation, revealed something content creators today will surely be able to relate to: “Mahilig lang ako mag-picture, and meron akong secret na hindi ko talaga sinasabi. Pero sige, sabihin na natin, in one day, nagbibihis ako ng five swimsuits para mukhang five days ako sa lugar. Kung three days lang ako, bibihis ako ng 12 swimwear. So, magmumukha akong madaming days doon. Kaya akala nila mahilig ako sa beach.”While her travel bucket list includes Bora Bora and the Maldives, Kim finds that paradise isn’t always a destination—sometimes, it’s a mood. These days, her version of “paradise” or a slice of heaven is surprisingly low-key: binge-watching her recent favorite series like Love Is Blind, Single’s Inferno Season 5, and The Pitt.We briefly bonded over Single’s Inferno Season 5 and <a href="https://metro.style/people/2026/2/18/heebeen-park-hee-sun-and-lim-su-been-from-single-s-inferno-5-made-our-hearts-flutter-0945" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how we’re shipping Park Hee Sun and Lim Su Been</a>. I told her about their ship name, “HeeBeen,” like the way names are combined in Philippine love teams. “Baka Pilipino rin ang may gawa,” she chuckled. And interestingly, our interview venue was the stunning Santelmo Cove on the Hamilo Coast in Batangas, accessible via Pico de Loro, which has that Single’s Inferno feel. “Yes! Exactly,” she agreed when I pointed out the similarity. “Sabi nga namin pagdating namin, ‘Oh my gosh! Bagay dito ang Single’s Inferno!”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776587318062embed_Metro x Kim Chiu birthday and 20th showbiz anniversary R.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Kim: Swimwear by H&amp;M</div><div> </div>But that day was not like a day in Single’s Inferno, where people are out to find love. It was a day meant to celebrate Kim, who has long found love in herself. If there’s anything she learned from living her life in the spotlight, she said it’s that “you only have yourself.” “People may come and go, but you have to believe in yourself, to trust in yourself. And despite everything—the lights, the fans, the stardom, the support—parang at the end of the day, you only have yourself. And you have to be strong enough,” Kim reflected. If there’s one word that best describes Kim these days, it’s strong. But being strong doesn’t mean she has no moments of vulnerability. Crying, she learned, is not a sign of weakness, but a form of relief, a moment to recharge to have the energy to take charge again.I asked her, “What’s something you wish you knew when you were starting?” Kim quickly said, “Nothing.” “Ang saya lang aralin step by step. From step one, step two. Parang masarap ’yung feeling na hindi mo pa alam lahat. Na after 20 years, ’tsaka mo lang siya na-figure out,” she explained. For Kim, who has portrayed so many characters onscreen and taken home a wealth of insights from each of them, life is a constant learning process. Even now, with her stature in showbiz, she remains open-minded and welcoming of new ideas that will allow her to explore a different side. That willingness to step out of her comfort zone is especially evident in her more recent projects like Linlang and The Alibi, which Kim considers challenging yet rewarding. There’s also much excitement for her latest series with Paulo, Kopino, premiering on streaming platform Prime Video this year. Lest you think you’ve seen all that Kim has to offer, she reinvents herself while staying true to who she really is as an artist and without fully letting go of what formed the core of her artistry.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776587536080embed_Metro x Kim Chiu birthday and 20th showbiz anniversary M.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>On Kim: Custom ensemble and sailor hat by AJ JAVIER, and heels by ZARA</div><div> </div>As she turns a year older and ushers in a new chapter in her career, following this major 20th showbiz anniversary milestone, Kim feels blessed, content, and hopeful. Describing her whole journey, she chose the words: “dream, fulfillment, and courage.”“Na-fulfill ko na sa sarili ko ’yung pagiging actress ko,” Kim opened up. “So, I don’t know. Wala naman akong dream na. And I just want to work.” It’s like she’s welcoming other creatives to dream for her, like offering herself as a canvas for their vision. With her versatility, there are a ton more roles she can breathe life into. No matter what it is, once she’s on board, best believe she’ll be hands-on in owning that character, just as she is with pretty much everything that goes on with her life. “Parang feeling ko maganda na hands-on ka para alam mo ’yung nangyayari and ginagawa mo,” she told us. “So, I think, isa rin ’yun sa naging factor that’s why I’m still here now. Kasi parang hindi ko ginagawa ’pag hindi ko—if it’s not inclined to who I am, value-wise, character-wise.” And who Kim is is easy to encapsulate. From then till now, she’s always been about staying happy. “After 20 years, I’m still here,” she said. “I am blessed in so many ways. Blessed sa work, sa friends, sa family, with everyone. And I’m also blessed with the heart that I have. “ Many things have changed since Kim became the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition in 2006. But many things have also stayed the same—she’s still very much the “Chinita Princess Ng Cebu” viewers and fans knew and loved all these years, only she’s braver, stronger, and more self-assured. If paradise is a place of peace, Kim had to fight like a warrior to find it. Her strength isn’t just in her longevity, but in her ability to remain strong no matter where life takes her. “The best is yet to come,” she declared. “And I’m very excited for what the universe will offer me this year.” Looking out at the horizon of Santelmo Cove, the “Chinita Princess” of 2006 has clearly evolved into the Queen of 2026. And if her 20-year track record is any indication, the universe has plenty more in store for Kim Chiu.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776587820678embed_Metro x Kim Chiu birthday and 20th showbiz anniversary Q.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div>Metro head: Christina LopezEditor-in-chief and creative director: Geolette EsguerraSittings editor: Grace LiberoPhotography by Dookie DucayManaging editor: Rick FormalejoFashion associate: Carla BuyoStyling by Adrianne Concepcion, assisted by Lordwin MasongsongMakeup by Mariah Santos, assisted by June Balagtas and Ronaldo SantosHairstyling by RJ dela Cruz, assisted by Mel Anthony NadalVideography by CJ Reyes and Neil CaronanPhotographer’s assistants: Lou Fajardo, Byron De Guzman, and Sean FranciscoShoot assistants: Lance Joseph Martinez and Arci ClaveriaShot on location at Pico de Loro Cove and Santelmo Cove in BatangasSpecial thanks to Star Magic

Kim Chiu has always been a METRO cover girl—from the time she was a rising star till she became one of local showbiz’s biggest and brightest stars. As she turns 36 and marks her 20th showbiz anniversary this April, we celebrate with her again with a three-cover special.

Kim Chiu has always been a METRO cover girl—from the time she was a rising star till she became one of local showbiz’s biggest and brightest stars. As she turns 36 and marks her 20th showbiz anniversary this April, we celebrate with her again with a three-cover special.

Beauty and the Beach: Kim Chiu Sizzles in Our Coastal Shoot for Her 20th Year in Showbiz

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Beauty and the Beach: Kim Chiu Sizzles in Our Coastal Shoot for Her 20th Year in Showbiz

Grace Libero

Published April 23, 2026 11:55 AM PHT

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Updated April 23, 2026 12:01 PM PHT

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