On Chie: Swimwear by Etam

Shattering stigmas and stereotypes one after another, Chie Filomeno opened up about her physical appearance.

During our sit-down interview with the Can’t Buy Me Love actress for the Metro Body 2024 shoot, she shared, “I’m so happy kasi this is a platform for everyone—for all sizes. And du’n ako sa category na petite, so I want to be the voice for them, siyempre.”

The actress, who also participated in the previous Metro Body campaign, shared with us how she usually prepares for pictorials. “For a shoot like this, I would say, ‘Don’t starve yourself.’ You have to give what your body needs and it’s more than just what you look from the outside, from the inside also—what you feed your mind, your body, your soul,” Chie said.

“So ’yun ’yung pinakaimportante kasi nagre-radiate din, e. Kita ’yan ng tao ’pag you take care of yourself from the inside, not just from the outside.”

Sticking to an exercise routine is what Chie exactly does to discipline herself in terms of staying in shape, too. “As much as possible, siguro three times a week, since I dance naman. So nakakatulong talaga ’yun. And I do lifting—weightlifting… And Pilates to distribute the muscles,” she told Metro.Style.

Chie’s tip-top condition is courtesy of what she eats as well. “Mas marami ’yung protein intake ko. Hindi ko sinasabing ‘diet,’ e. It’s more of like I give my body what it needs,” she explained. “I don’t deprive my body of nutrition. You have to nourish your body also.”

Now aware of what she needs more than what she wants, Chie tries to make honoring oneself a habit. She understands her uniqueness, and doesn’t deal with extreme standards anymore. “Umabot ako du’n sa point na—when I was younger—[I just took] water for like a week. Just water and liquid lang. Soup. No, that’s bad. Don’t starve yourself,” she advised.

To save her energy for the things that matter more, Chie also engages in activities where she can enjoy and commune with oneself. Between her obligations and career commitments, she takes time to lead an active lifestyle.

“I do volleyball. I’ve done racing. Grabe din ’yun, very pawis [ako] after a circuit race. Grabe ’yung pawis, as in! Kunwari, it’s 32 [degrees] outside. So when you’re on the race track, doble ’yung init. So every time na ’pag tatanggalin mo ’yung suit mo, your helmet, sobrang pawis. Parang nababawasan kami ng two kilos every after race. So you have to gain it again.”

Apart from working out and engaging in sports, Chie is as well-acquainted with water sports such as wakeboarding and surfing. She is an island sweetheart who takes delight in talking to locals of a place like the Surigaonons in Siargao.

Once a victim of online bashing as well as bullying, Chie learned a remarkable lesson that shaped her into a tough cookie: “It took time for me to realize and to accept na I’m really petite, and it’s okay as long as you’re healthy inside and out. ’Yun lang—being happy with who you are from the inside and out.”

Chie Filomeno is #fitnessgoals in the gallery below:

@chiefilomeno

@andreabeldua

@chiefilomeno

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@chiefilomeno

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@graetazz

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@kimweeebol

Dix Perez

Creative Direction by Randz Manucom

Editor-in-Chief: Geolette Esguerra

Sittings editors: Red Dimaandal and Grace Libero-Cruz

Fashion Associate: Carla Buyo

Editorial Assistant: Mika Yusay

Makeup by Japeth Purog, assisted by Akira Almerino

Hairstyling by Renz Pangilinan

Styling by Josh Galang, Mai Chua, and Carlie Lajara of Mesmyrrhized by Myrrh Lao To

Videography by Florence Chee and Ara Tanagon of Spotlight Creatives Studio

Photography assistants: Aaron Ongkingco, Warren Diotay, Julius Celis, and Chris Cantos

Set design by Janice Consulta, Paul Habal, and Onel Consulta of Tipping Point Collective

Shot on location at Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua

Special thanks to Star Magic, Laurenti Dyogi, Gidget Dela Cuesta, Moises Nuevo, Thess Gubi, Frances Joson, Tempus Restaurant, Jonie Dionisio, and Joba Botana

Gallery photos from @chiefilomeno

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