She penetrated showbiz with fluid facility, making gossip-mongers suspect that she has “connections.” Or has she submitted to the so-called casting couch (which is much talked-about in Hollywood)?
In a short span of barely a year, Kim Domingo chalked up a record others have failed to do. Discovered via YouTube where she posted her version of Twerk it Like Miley, Kim became a regular presence in GMA shows (Bubble Gang, etc.), hired in Vhong Navarro’s starrer Mang Kepweng (intended for this December’s Metro Manila Film Festival), released her debut single Know Me (under GMA Records), and joined the likes of Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Ellen Adarna (2015), Georgina Wilson (2013, whom Kim resembles), Solenn Heussaff (2012), Anne Curtis (2011) and Arci Muñoz (2016) as Ginebra San Miguel (GSM’s) Calendar Girl (for 2017).
At her recent launch as the face of the GSM 2017 theme “Cheeky and Geeky,” Kim wore six-inch heels said to be worth P100,000 (there’s a little story behind it). “I came from a poor family,” revealed Kim who once joined Eat, Bulaga!’s Little Miss Philippines pageant, the same search where Pauleen Luna first caught the attention of her now-husband Vic Sotto with her missing front tooth. “I have been and am still is the breadwinner of my family.”
Said GSM brand manager Paolo Tupaz, “Kim definitely personifies Ganado sa Buhay, our marketing campaign. She worked her way up to become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry today. Her story is an inspiration to every hardworking Filipino.”
As GSM Calendar Girl, Kim also acts as muse of the company’s basketball team, Ginebra Gin Kings. Asked if she was gracing that night’s PBA finals, Kim smiled, “Of course, for good luck.” Sure enough, the team won the championship, breaking an eight-year drought.
Kim stands 5’7”, weighs 121 lbs. and measures 34-26-36.
Conversations sat with Kim for a no-holds-barred “meet-and-greet” in which she cleared all those nasty rumors about her.
Tell us more about yourself.
“I was born on Feb. 3, 1995. I am Aquarian. My father is French but I never saw him. My mother is Filipino. They were not married so I’m using my mother’s surname. I am an only child.”
Is Kim Domingo your real name?
“Yes, my real name.”
There are already so many Kims in showbiz…Kim Chiu, Kim Atienza, Kim delos Santos, Kim Rodriguez, Kim Last. Why didn’t you use a screen name?
“Kasi even before I joined showbiz, I was already known as Kim Domingo on social media since I did the Twerk It Like Miley dubsmash. Kung papalitan ko po ang name ko, baka malito ang tao.”
What kind of childhood did you have?
“I am a Lola’s Girl. Sobrang higpit niya; batang bahay lang po ako. I wasn’t allowed to play outside. Up to now, I’m a homebody. Hindi ako magimik. I’d rather stay home.”
So when did you start doing gimik?
“Actually, I go out only when I get invited…Invitational lang po.”
What were you doing before showbiz?
“I was modeling in fashion shows and car shows. Mga ganoong events.”
Is it true that somebody powerful and influential is supporting you that’s why you are an overnight sensation, biglang-sikat?
‘Wala akong ganoong koneksyon. Actually, I have joined several contests and searches because I really wanted to be in showbiz, such as Artista Academy and Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). When I was a kid, I even joined the Little Miss Philippines contest in Eat, Bulaga! Hayun, talo!”
What happened?
“Hindi po ako nakuha. Napakasakit po na hindi ako nakuha. I almost lose hope, until a good break suddenly came.”
What about rumors that you underwent “enhancement” before you joined showbiz?
“Not many parts, actually. My face is original, walang ginalaw. Sa katawan, hmmmm, isa lang naman po para makadagdag ng confidence. Obvious naman po, di ba?
What about rumors linking you to rich men, some of them politicians?
“Actually, when I was modeling I got many indecent proposals. I won’t deny it na mayroon talaga, marami talaga.”
What were they offering you?
“Car, house and lot, money, kung anu-ano.”
Were you not tempted?
“Never po! Dedma lang. I believe in working hard for the money, ‘yung pagtra-trabahuhan ko ang pambili ko ng mga kailangan sa buhay. I started working when I was only 14. I’m the breadwinner in the family.”
Can you name some of the politicians rumored to be crazy about you?
“Huwag na lang po. They have families, eh.”
How do you feel about people who look at sexy stars as, you know, pieces of meat?
“Before, I must admit that I was really affected. People were calling me names, bad girl daw ako, a bad example to the youth because I display my body on TV. That used to make me cry. But now, dedma na lang ako. I have learned to ignore them as long as I know that I am not doing anything wrong. A basta, happy ako sa buhay ko at thankful ako sa blessings na dumarating sa buhay ko.”
How do you deal with, you know, persistent men attracted to you, mga advances?
“I’m okay if they want friendship. Pero kung something-something na hinahangad sa akin, sorry po, no ako d’un.”
Isn’t your boyfriend (a basketball player from a college in Laguna) the jealous type, possessive?
“No, he’s not. He’s understanding, secure with himself. I have no problem with him. He has no problem with me. By the way, he doesn’t play for his school anymore. Sa commercial leagues na lang.”
Are you a one-man woman?
“Oo naman po!”
What is your type of man?
“First of all, ‘yung nirerespeto ako. Kasi when you are a sexy star, some men take advantage of you; they don’t respect you.”
And what turns you off?
“Yung hindi loyal. Sobrang faithful ako, eh.”
Any message to bashers (detractors, inggitero)?
“I’m not angry at them. If they want to bash people, sige bash sila ng ibang tao if that’s what makes them happy. I simply ignore them. Basta ako, happy ako. I just wish that The Lord will bless them. By the way, my conscience is clear and I sleep peacefully at night.”
Alone?
“Oo naman po. You know, I always wear stockings when I go to bed. I am more comfortable that way.”
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