Xian Lim and Kim Chiu. File photoMANILA, Philippines -- Xian Lim, the on-screen partner of Kim Chiu, called for a stop to speculations about the actress' relationship with her mother, who passed away Sunday, saying she has only started to "recover" from the loss.
"I just want to say na sana respeto lang towards Kim and her whole family 'di ba. Kasi merong mga lumalabas na mga bali-balita... I mean, it's not helping Kim in anyway. It's not helping the situation," the 23-year-old actor told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday.
Lim, who has been paired with Chiu on-screen since 2011, is referring to a publicized "blind item" criticizing the actress for her supposed cold relationship with her mother, Louella Yap Chiu.
The older Chiu passed away last Sunday at age 50.
"Lagi ko sinasabi, people are always going to have something to say. Ang masasabi ko lang doon, tama na, respeto lang kay Kim, respeto sa pamilya niya. Kasi kung palagi tayong makikinig sa mga gawa-gawang istorya na walang basehan, it's not helping us in anyway," Lim said.
The actor, as did Chiu's father earlier Wednesday, also addressed the actress' situation, having had to leave for Thailand only days after her mother died.
"Nung time na wake, the day when her mom passed away, she flew to Cebu, then after that I followed to check up on her, kung kumusta na nga siya," Lim said.
Chiu's father, William Chiu, Jr., earlier told ABS-CBN News Central Visayas that the actress had to leave for Thailand for a commercial shoot, but negotiated with parties involved to allow her to return home the earliest time possible.
The burial of the actress' mother is set on June 29, Saturday.
'I'm here'
According to Lim, he was with Chiu on Tuesday night. The two are currently filming their debut movie as a "love team" under Star Cinema.
"Magkasama kami kagabi. Meron kaming shooting kagabi. She's... I can't really say she's doing okay, but she's trying to stay strong... She's recovering," Lim said.
The actor added that Chiu is actively trying to spend more time with her family at this time. "If there's time, she spends it with her family. Kasi this is the time na her family needs her the most, and this is the time na kailangan talaga nila magsama-sama," Lim said.
Asked how he has condoled with Chiu, for whom he has openly expressed admiration, the actor said, "I will do my part. Nandito lang ako, makikinig ako kung ano man ang gusto niyang ilabas, kung kailangan niya ng kausap, kung kailangan niya ng kasama, I'm here."
He added: "Kim is a very strong girl. Pag kasama ko si Kim, nararamdaman ko 'yun sa kanya. Kaya sa lahat ng supporters, sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta, sa lahat ng nakikiramay, talagang they should just keep in mind that she's a really strong girl, and she will get through this."