While some people avoid their ex’s name like it's a forbidden trigger word, there's Kim Chiu, who handles it with a giggle and rides along the teasing, as it's practically become a running gag for the "It's Showtime" family to throw punchlines whenever a guy named “Gerald” shows up in the studio, a not-so-subtle reference to her former reel-and-real-life flame, Gerald Anderson.
It’s no secret to us what the history between the two is. And you know how it is in families and friend groups—exes always make the best inside jokes.
This Valentine’s, let’s rewind to all the LOL-worthy moments our bestie Kimmy came face-to-face with a “Gerald” on live TV, which only goes to show that a truly healed and unbothered person can laugh at her past and accept that sometimes destiny has a sense of humor too.
'Hindi naman kami awkward ni Gerald'
One of the most recent sightings happened just this week, when the 'Laro Laro Pick' segment morphed into 'EXpecially For You.' Vice Ganda left Kim solo in the game arena so she could chat one-on-one with a contestant named Gerald. “I think it’s time for closure,” Meme Vice clowned, to which Kim fired back, "Hoy! Matagal nang tapos."
But game as ever, Kim walked up to Gerald anyway. When she heard the studio audience erupt in cheers, she reacted, "Napaka-OA ng madlang people," prompting Vice to call her out in jest, "'Yung madlang people ba 'yung OA, o ikaw?"
"Bawal mag-relapse!" Kim declared before striking up a convo with Gerald. The exchange went smoothly, because, as she confidently pointed out, "Hindi naman kami awkward ni Gerald."
'Nabuko ka ba?'
In another episode featuring buko vendors as players, a soft-spoken participant named Gerald caught everyone’s attention because of, well, his name. This Gerald was extra shy and almost froze when Kim approached him. It must be the Chinita Princess effect!
Of course, Kim understood the assignment and played along her co-hosts' banter. "Gerald, anong gusto mong sabihin sa akin?" she asked the player, followed up with a clever line that had everyone chuckling, "Nabuko ka ba?"
'Bakit naman gano'n?'
She also became the bunot during a past 'EXpecially For You' episode, all because the searchee introduced himself as, yup, Gerald.
Vice couldn't resist opening up the asaran. "Mag-hi ka naman kay Kim," Meme Vice told the searchee, who obliged, greeting Kim like they were long-lost exes. As if the universe was in the mood for light-hearted ribbing, the second searchee that day was named Kim. "Bakit naman gano'n?" was all the Kapamilya actress could say.
'Happy ako for you'
Kim bumped into another unexpected KimErald crossover moment during a laugh trip 'Throwbox' episode that brought together a lineup of comedians, including Jerald Napoles.
As a seasoned jokester, Jerald knew exactly how to sprinkle a little kilig into his interaction with Kim. "Gusto ko lang sabihin sa'yo na kung anuman 'yung nangyari dati, nagpapasalamat ako kasi nakilala kita at ikaw 'yan," he deadpanned.
Kim had to recover first from laughter before matching Jerald's mock-serious vibe and replying, "Happy ako for you. At saka, congrats!" as she placed a hand on his shoulder. Bonus point for the background music!
To cap it off, like it was giving breakup closure, Jerald asked for a hug and she gave him one.
'Ayoko na'
Now this is the most exciting part! Of all the “Gerald” encounters Kim has gracefully laughed off, of course, none compare to the time she came face-to-face with her actual ex, yes, the real Gerald.
It happened six years ago on the 'Bidaman' segment that showcased aspiring leading men. Plot twist—Kim was co-hosting while Gerald sat as one of the judges.
She tried to keep things professional while talking to the contestant, but the 'kuys' weren’t letting her off the hook. "May problema ba? Mainit ba ulo mo ngayon?" Vhong Navarro jested after noticing how Kim kept throwing savage remarks at everyone she talked to. The studio audience cracked up as soon as they caught where the punchlines were headed, then the cameras caught Gerald smiling too.
“Alam ko na…” Vhong poked fun in a tone that hinted at a deeper subtext everyone in the room likely picked up on. But instead of pushing further, he deflected, "kasi pagod siya." Then Billy Crawford butted in, "Nakaka-pressure rin dahil nand'yan si Direk Bobet [Vidanes]," pointing toward the judges’ table. Of course, we knew who he really meant.
Kim kept trying to redirect the conversation back to the contestant, but the ‘hugot’ antics persisted, with her co-hosts pointing out that she was already blushing. So she pretended to walk off the set as the song "Yakap" (with the lyric, "Ako ay nagbalik at muli kang nasilayan") played in the background.
"Alam n'yo, kayo, ang lala n'yo," she told the boys before turning to Direk Bobet for backup. Ruffa Gutierrez, who was also on the judges’ panel, chimed in, "Guys, si Gerald pulang-pula na dito. Nakikita ko," to which Kim reacted, "Ms. Ruffa, mag-judge na lang po." Direk Bobet found the perfect timing to join the ‘kulitan’, saying, "Kim 'pag inaaway ka nila, tingin ka lang sa akin para may excuse ka na kunyari ako tinitingnan mo."
"Eh, kasi 'pag tumitingin siya diyan..." Vhong added, and we all knew what he meant. The teasing finally stopped when Kim blurted out, “Direk, ayoko na."
They often say that time brings perspective, and that one day, even the most painful heartbreaks become stories we smile and laugh about. Kim is literally the proof!
Get your daily dose of good vibes from "It’s Showtime,” Mondays to Sarurdays, 12 NN, on Kapamilya Channel, ALLTV2, A2Z, GMA 7, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and iWant.