Shared passion for fitness bonds Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino
Participating in competitive sports is similar to handling real-life struggles—both require mental fortitude, according to duathlete Kim Chiu and road racing enthusiast Paulo Avelino.
Chiu first tried joining races after working on the TV series “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” where she played a triathlete. “I decided to really train for it and race. That’s when I discovered that there’s a community with members who share the same goal—to finish the races,” she began.
“Aside from the physical benefits, this is also for your mental health. No matter how tired I am, no matter how painful my legs feel, I cannot quit. If I do, the community will learn about this. They will say, ‘Kim Chiu did not finish—DNF siya!’
“You can also apply this to real-life situations. You have to have mental strength and stability. You don’t give up, no matter how many challenges you have to hurdle. Competitions like this are actually good training for life.”
“This is good training for the Gen Zs,” Avelino interjected.
“I don’t know about the others, but I’m talking about my nieces, who tend to give up easily. I should make them join triathlons,” said Chiu. “Sports actually help strengthen the mind.”
Adrenaline rush
Meanwhile, Avelino has been into motorcycles for quite some time, but he publicly started sharing more about his passion around 2019. He has posted about his rides, shared photos of his bikes, and even mentioned in interviews how riding helps him relax.
“On two wheels, I learned the hard way when I was starting,” he said, adding that he has had eight motorbike-related accidents, some unreported by the media.
“You get that adrenaline from speed, but after attending training sessions and going through all those accidents, I realized that speed should always remain on the track. If you are on the road, you should really slow down. You will eventually reach your destination, anyway. Oftentimes, accidents happen because you’re in a hurry,” he stressed.
When Lifestyle pointed out that his statement could also be related to real-life situations, Chiu said, “Pareho talaga tayo.”
When asked if Avelino would encourage Chiu to hop on a motorcycle, the actor said, “I guess I would, but only in a controlled environment—either on a flat track or a race track—where people can watch her closely, and of course, with full gear.”
Chiu, on the other hand, has already asked Avelino to join her in duathlons. “He only has one answer for me—that he is afraid for those who always win the races. Kasi mapapalitan na sila,” she said, laughing.
“When did I say that?” Avelino asked.
“Seriously, Pau is very humble. But he’s fast in both running and bike riding. I guess it’s because he grew up in the hills of Baguio,” Chiu said. Then, turning to Avelino, she added, “Just try it. You will win for sure.”
Ice bath
Another way to test mental fortitude is through the latest wellness craze: the ice bath. Avelino recently uploaded a video on Instagram showing himself getting into a tub filled with ice-cold water.
“It’s supposed to have a lot of benefits, which I can’t list one by one because I don’t have the scientific backing,” he said. “But I would encourage people to try it. Like what Kim said earlier, it’s a test of mental fortitude. It’s painful at first, but it helps your muscles recover faster. So far, my experience has been great—I sleep better, and my body feels more relaxed.”
Character actors like Avelino place great importance on transforming their bodies to better portray roles. Such was the case with his character in “Linlang,” where he played a disgraced boxer who returns to the ring in an attempt to clear his name. For this, Avelino had to gain and then lose weight to showcase his character’s transformation.
“That was the most challenging part. I think it’s all about mental fortitude, too—these changes and the process you go through to achieve them can actually affect your psyche. It’s not easy, especially if your mental state isn’t strong enough,” Avelino said. “In sports and in real life, you have to know what your body can handle. Are you capable of pushing to the extremes? If yes, then you should prepare yourself—both body and mind.”
Jogging and biking together
Recently, the two actors have been seen jogging and biking together in public. Chiu said they have long been into these sports individually, so it felt natural for them to do them together, especially since they are working on their third project as on-screen partners. Their romantic comedy, “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” will premiere in cinemas on March 26.
The Chad Vidanes film tells the story of Sari (Chiu), whose previous boyfriends mysteriously disappeared, and Jolo (Avelino), her landlord who is struggling with the impending displacement of his community. Sari is convinced that she is cursed because every man she loves vanishes. Meanwhile, Jolo grapples with a failing apartment complex. Their paths cross as they fight to save a community from displacement, but Sari’s supposed curse threatens their budding romance.
As for what they hope viewers take away from the film, Chiu said: “Love can mean different things to different people—it could be love for family, friends, a romantic partner, or oneself. It’s what truly makes you happy. For this movie, I realized that you won’t get what you truly want unless you really ask for it. That’s what happened to Sari.”
The film, a production of ABS-CBN Studios, is based on a story by Prime Cruz with a screenplay by Patrick Valencia and Isabella Policarpio. It is also set for release in cinemas in over 30 countries.
