EXCLUSIVE: Meet the Pinay Chloe Grace Moretz | ABS-CBN
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Rhys Buccat,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 13, 2016 06:58 PM PHT
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Updated Apr 18, 2017 04:53 PM PHT

MANILA -- From reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach to primetime sweetheart Liza Soberano, the Philippines does not have a shortage of beautiful women.
MANILA -- From reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach to primetime sweetheart Liza Soberano, the Philippines does not have a shortage of beautiful women.
Just recently, another Pinay beauty has been making headlines globally, having been featured in different websites, including The Sun, Elite Daily, Teen Vogue, and MTV.
Just recently, another Pinay beauty has been making headlines globally, having been featured in different websites, including The Sun, Elite Daily, Teen Vogue, and MTV.
Video by Rhys Buccat, ABS-CBN News
Meet Edcell Ched, a 20-year-old fast food crew who happens to look like American actress and model Chloë Grace Moretz.
Meet Edcell Ched, a 20-year-old fast food crew who happens to look like American actress and model Chloë Grace Moretz.
A native of Malabon City, Ched's instant fame began when a netizen, Jesse Carls, shared a snapshot of her while she was on duty at the Navotas branch of Jollibee.
A native of Malabon City, Ched's instant fame began when a netizen, Jesse Carls, shared a snapshot of her while she was on duty at the Navotas branch of Jollibee.
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"Customer po siya nung gabi. Naaalala ko po siya kasi nagpa-picture po talaga siya sa akin na kaming dalawa lang. Tapos ang pinost niya po ay 'yung stolen," Ched recalled in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.
"Customer po siya nung gabi. Naaalala ko po siya kasi nagpa-picture po talaga siya sa akin na kaming dalawa lang. Tapos ang pinost niya po ay 'yung stolen," Ched recalled in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.
(She was my customer that night. I remember her because she took a photo with just the two of us. But she posted the stolen shot.)
(She was my customer that night. I remember her because she took a photo with just the two of us. But she posted the stolen shot.)
The unsuspecting service crew said she had no idea that her photo would become viral on social media, garnering over 3,200 shares and 41,000 reactions as of this writing.
The unsuspecting service crew said she had no idea that her photo would become viral on social media, garnering over 3,200 shares and 41,000 reactions as of this writing.
According to her, she only learned that she was already the talk of the town when random netizens began sending her private messages and adding her on Facebook.
According to her, she only learned that she was already the talk of the town when random netizens began sending her private messages and adding her on Facebook.
Not a big fan of Chloe
Although many of her friends have already noticed her resemblance to Moretz, Ched said she was initially not a big fan.
Although many of her friends have already noticed her resemblance to Moretz, Ched said she was initially not a big fan.
"Mula po noong dumami na ang nagsabi sa akin na kamukha ko siya, tinignan ko siya sa Internet. Then pinanood ko na po 'yong mga movies niya," she said.
"Mula po noong dumami na ang nagsabi sa akin na kamukha ko siya, tinignan ko siya sa Internet. Then pinanood ko na po 'yong mga movies niya," she said.
(As the number of people claiming that we’re lookalikes grew, I searched her up on the Internet. Then I watched some of her movies.)
(As the number of people claiming that we’re lookalikes grew, I searched her up on the Internet. Then I watched some of her movies.)
According to Ched, she can only name a few of Moretz's movies, but perhaps her favorites include the action-filled "Kick-Ass" and the romantic drama "If I Stay."
According to Ched, she can only name a few of Moretz's movies, but perhaps her favorites include the action-filled "Kick-Ass" and the romantic drama "If I Stay."
But her interest in the Hollywood celebrity grew when Moretz herself tweeted about her and claimed that, indeed, they "do look very like."
But her interest in the Hollywood celebrity grew when Moretz herself tweeted about her and claimed that, indeed, they "do look very like."
WHOAAAA we do look very like https://t.co/T7uJdETqIg
— Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) December 7, 2016
WHOAAAA we do look very like https://t.co/T7uJdETqIg
— Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) December 7, 2016
While this seems overwhelming for Ched, she is thankful to Moretz for recognizing her beauty.
While this seems overwhelming for Ched, she is thankful to Moretz for recognizing her beauty.
"Siya nga din po mismo nagulat. Nakaka-proud po kasi napansin niya po tayong mga Pilipino. Maski po siya nag-agree na we do look very alike. Nakakatuwa po, nakakakilig," Ched said.
"Siya nga din po mismo nagulat. Nakaka-proud po kasi napansin niya po tayong mga Pilipino. Maski po siya nag-agree na we do look very alike. Nakakatuwa po, nakakakilig," Ched said.
(Even she was shocked. I feel really proud because she noticed us, Filipinos. Even she, agrees that we do look very alike. It feels good.)
(Even she was shocked. I feel really proud because she noticed us, Filipinos. Even she, agrees that we do look very alike. It feels good.)
"Mayroong Jollibee sa ibang bansa, baka gusto niyang i-try," she added.
"Mayroong Jollibee sa ibang bansa, baka gusto niyang i-try," she added.
(There are Jollibee branches abroad, maybe she’d like to try them.)
(There are Jollibee branches abroad, maybe she’d like to try them.)
An aspiring educator
Now on her final year in college, Ched, an Early Childhood Education major at the City of Malabon University, is excited to start a teaching career.
Now on her final year in college, Ched, an Early Childhood Education major at the City of Malabon University, is excited to start a teaching career.
She told ABS-CBN News that teaching children has always been her passion-- something she inherited from her mother who raised three kids.
She told ABS-CBN News that teaching children has always been her passion-- something she inherited from her mother who raised three kids.
"Gusto ko pong magturo talaga. Gusto ko ng mga bata, gusto ko lang kasama sila," she said. "Gusto kong naririnig 'yong mga bata na nagsasabing 'teacher, teacher.'"
"Gusto ko pong magturo talaga. Gusto ko ng mga bata, gusto ko lang kasama sila," she said. "Gusto kong naririnig 'yong mga bata na nagsasabing 'teacher, teacher.'"
(I really like teaching. I like kids, being around them. I like hearing them say “teacher, teacher.”)
(I really like teaching. I like kids, being around them. I like hearing them say “teacher, teacher.”)
At 20, Ched is already the bread winner of her family. She currently sends herself to school, and at the same time supports her mother and younger sibling, who is also a student.
At 20, Ched is already the bread winner of her family. She currently sends herself to school, and at the same time supports her mother and younger sibling, who is also a student.
"Self-supporting po talaga ako. 'Yung mama ko, wala po siyang trabaho, and 'yung kapatid ko, married na po siya. Kaya po kailangan kong magtrabaho dito sa Jollibee. Dito po talaga 'yung pinagkukunan ko ng pang-aral," she said.
"Self-supporting po talaga ako. 'Yung mama ko, wala po siyang trabaho, and 'yung kapatid ko, married na po siya. Kaya po kailangan kong magtrabaho dito sa Jollibee. Dito po talaga 'yung pinagkukunan ko ng pang-aral," she said.
(I am really self-supporting. My mother doesn’t have a job, and my sister is already married. That’s why I have to work here in Jollibee. Here is where I get money for school.)
(I am really self-supporting. My mother doesn’t have a job, and my sister is already married. That’s why I have to work here in Jollibee. Here is where I get money for school.)
Her father died when she was only 10.
Her father died when she was only 10.
On handling fame
Like many millennials on social media, Ched is also flattered by the attention she is getting from her over 60,000 followers on Facebook.
Like many millennials on social media, Ched is also flattered by the attention she is getting from her over 60,000 followers on Facebook.
"Nagulat po, kasi sa isang gabi normal ka lang, pero kinabukasan libu-libo na 'yong likes mo sa Facebook. Ang normal na tao hindi naman po makakakuha ng ganoon karaming followers at likes sa kakaunting oras lang," she said.
"Nagulat po, kasi sa isang gabi normal ka lang, pero kinabukasan libu-libo na 'yong likes mo sa Facebook. Ang normal na tao hindi naman po makakakuha ng ganoon karaming followers at likes sa kakaunting oras lang," she said.
(I was shocked because one night I’m just an ordinary person, then the day after I already have thousands of likes on Facebook. A normal person doesn’t really get that many followers and likes in such a short time.)
(I was shocked because one night I’m just an ordinary person, then the day after I already have thousands of likes on Facebook. A normal person doesn’t really get that many followers and likes in such a short time.)
But this popularity isn't limited to online. In the real world, Ched is also a celebrity, especially among Jollibee customers.
But this popularity isn't limited to online. In the real world, Ched is also a celebrity, especially among Jollibee customers.
"Lalo na po kapag on-duty ako. Mayroon pong biglang magsasabing, 'Uy, si Chloe,' ganun po." Mayroon din pong mga batang minsan may dala silang tablet at nagpapa-picture sila gano'n," she said.
"Lalo na po kapag on-duty ako. Mayroon pong biglang magsasabing, 'Uy, si Chloe,' ganun po." Mayroon din pong mga batang minsan may dala silang tablet at nagpapa-picture sila gano'n," she said.
(Especially when I’m on duty. There are people who say, “Oh, there’s Chloe!” Something like that. There are also kids who have tablets and ask me for a photo.)
(Especially when I’m on duty. There are people who say, “Oh, there’s Chloe!” Something like that. There are also kids who have tablets and ask me for a photo.)
Although she is currently in a relationship, Ched said there are a lot of boys who are showing interest to her now. Despite this, she chooses to remain loyal to her boyfriend.
Although she is currently in a relationship, Ched said there are a lot of boys who are showing interest to her now. Despite this, she chooses to remain loyal to her boyfriend.
Ready for showbiz?
A die-hard James Reid fan, Ched said she has always been following the actor's projects, although sometimes she would miss episodes of "Till I Met You" when she comes home late.
A die-hard James Reid fan, Ched said she has always been following the actor's projects, although sometimes she would miss episodes of "Till I Met You" when she comes home late.
She said is also an avid supporter of "Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7" housemate Tanner Mata.
She said is also an avid supporter of "Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7" housemate Tanner Mata.
When asked is she wants to join showbiz, Ched just smiled and said: "'Pagka naman po may magandang opportunity, okay lang po. Basta ang gusto ko lang 'yong sa pamilya ko, na madala ko sila sa mas magandang buhay po."
When asked is she wants to join showbiz, Ched just smiled and said: "'Pagka naman po may magandang opportunity, okay lang po. Basta ang gusto ko lang 'yong sa pamilya ko, na madala ko sila sa mas magandang buhay po."
(If there’s a good opportunity, it’s okay with me. All I want is to bring my family to a better life.)
(If there’s a good opportunity, it’s okay with me. All I want is to bring my family to a better life.)
And what does Jollibee think of Ched's success?
And what does Jollibee think of Ched's success?
Public relations director Arline Adeva told ABS-CBN News: "If not in our TVCs , we can consider her of course for our other requirements where we usually tap our deep pool of internal talents."
Public relations director Arline Adeva told ABS-CBN News: "If not in our TVCs , we can consider her of course for our other requirements where we usually tap our deep pool of internal talents."
So don't be surprised if you see Ched's face on TV commercials or billboards anytime soon.
So don't be surprised if you see Ched's face on TV commercials or billboards anytime soon.
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