Kim Chiu. Image: INQUIRER.net/Clarizel Abanilla
Coming from a Chinese family, Kapamilya actress Kim Chiu is indeed the perfect choice for the lead role in “The Ghost Bride”, which revolves around the Chinese tradition of ghost weddings.
But more than that, she’s also perfect for the role because she actually has a family member who was an actual ghost bride.
A ghost marriage is a union of two people wherein one or both partners are deceased. Such practice is done by the Chinese to make sure that the two souls would not be lonely in the afterlife.
Also, succession is very important to the Chinese. The eldest should always be the one to marry first and thereafter, the siblings follow in proper order. In the event that the eldest dies, the practice is performed to stay true to their tradition.
Chiu proves this true as she shared an interesting story in today’s press conference for her movie. She revealed that a family member was once a ghost bride.
“‘Nung ginagawa ko po itong movie, sabe po ng lola ko, ghost bride ba yan? Kasi alam mo ba ‘yung pinsan niya daw ghost bride, so kamag-anak namin ghost bride,” she said.
(When I was doing this movie, my grand mother asked me, ‘Is that Ghost Bride?’ Because you see, her cousin was a ghost bride, so one of our relatives was a ghost bride.)
Curious as to why her grandmother did not submit to the practice, her grandmother simply answered that she wants to have kids.
“Once na pasukin mo ‘yung ghost bride parang dine-dicate mo na ‘yung sarili mo dun sa pamilya nung patay. Dadasalan mo yung picture niya, iinsensuhan mo, so parang asawa mo talaga siya,” she added.
(Once you become a ghost bride, it’s as if you’ll really dedicate yourself to the family of the deceased. You will offer prayers before his picture, you will offer incense, because it’s as if he/she is really your spouse.)
Kim willing to be a ghost bride
She may have struggled with poverty in her growing years but her job as an actress pulled her and her family off from it. But given the choice, would she be willing to submit herself as a ghost bride?
“I’m proud and very thankful na sa showbiz natulungan ko ‘yung pamilya ko, natapos sila ng pag-aaral, okay ang buhay nila pero kung wala ako sa showbiz, in-offeran ako ng maging ghost bride, bakit po hindi, para sa pamilya,” she said.
(I’m proud and thankful that through showbiz, I was able to help my family, they were able to study and have a good life. But if I weren’t in showbiz and I was offered to be a ghost bride, why not? For my family.)
She further shared that her relative who once agreed to become a ghost bride has eventually had her sacrifices paid.
“Pero mayaman po sila hanggang ngayon napamanahan po niya ‘yung mga anak niya. Meron silang mga negosyo. In exchange of your life and your time, is money talaga,” she added.
(But they’re really rich, until now, she was able to inheritance to her kids. They have businesses. In exchange of your life and your time, you are really given money.)
Under Star Cinema, “The Ghost Bride” is another hair-raising movie from the master, Director Chito Rońo. It will show on cinemas nationwide, starting Nov. 1. JB
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