Kim Chiu thankful for ‘gift of life’ as sister Lakam celebrates birthday
Kim Chiu with older sister, Lakam Chiu. Screenshots from Kim Chiu’s Instagram page
Kim Chiu poured her heart out in her birthday message for her older sister, Lakam, who months ago, was in “very critical stage” at the hospital.
The Kapamilya star began her birthday greeting by expressing her gratitude to the Lord for an “answered prayer,” alluding to the recovery of her sister Lakam from an undisclosed medical condition.
“Yesterday was my dearest sissy @kamchiu‘s birthday! [emoji] I may be a day late in greeting you on your special day, but I want to thank our Lord God for the answered prayer. [emoji],” wrote Chiu, who earlier shared about her sister’s hospitalization via an Instagram post on her 33rd birthday.
The “It’s Showtime” mainstay said, looking back on the heartbreaking experience, “[Four] months ago, gumunaw ang mundo ko sa nangyari sa’yo. Gusto kong burahin sa utak ko ‘yun (my world collapsed with what happened to you. I want to completely get rid of that memory).”
Lakam, a week after being discharged from the hospital on May 5 — she stayed in the hospital for 18 days — shared that she was “[u]nable to talk, hear and see” while “in a very critical stage for the first 5 days.” She further shared how her family “had to make a life[-]changing decision without them knowing if I could make it or not.”
The actress-TV host continued her birthday greeting as she paid tribute to her “rock,” who has stood by her in both “tough times or good times.”
“My ate [older sister] has always been my rock in everything that I do, she always supports me, and she never fails to remind me that I can do things even if minsan akala ko wala ng pag-asa or madalas [kapag] napanghihinaan na ako ng loob (sometimes I thought that there was no more hope, or often, whenever I felt discouraged),” shared the “Pinoy Big Brother” winner, who continued to sing praises for her sister.
“Many of you thought kaya ko lahat (that I can do it all), but in reality, it’s all her [who] helped me get through everything na lagi akong may maa[a]sahan and masasandalan (in that, I always have someone to lean and depend on). May it be tough times or good times,” she added, as she further described Lakam as their family’s “wonder woman.”
“She is the wonder woman of the family. [emoji] Thank you, sis, for everything that you do, most especially for ME. Your unconditional love is way beyond what I could ask for. You are God’s gift to me, and I’m lucky to have you as my ACHI (elder sister). [emoji] Love you always and forever. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! [emojis],” Chiu told her older sister.
“Thank you Padre PIO for the gift of Life. Sissy, you are a living proof that nothing is impossible through FAITH and TRUST. [emojis],” added the “Mr. Right” singer, who is a devotee of Padre Pio.
Lakam, who celebrated with family and friends during a birthday dinner, had been very vocal about her appreciation for her younger sister in recent Instagram posts.
In one of her birthday-related posts, she told Chiu, “Shoutout to @chinitaprincess [emoji] for making things possible, for making me feel loved and appreciated[.] I would always choose you as my Siobe (younger sister). As we always say, we are each others’ half. Love you to the moon and back. You are my Everything in this Universe. I love you soo much…. [emojis].”
Prior to the birthday dinner, the 33-year-old actress, along with a few others, surprised Lakam — in bed — with cakes, balloons, and a hip-hop track as they welcomed her special day. EDV
