'May takot, kaba, trauma': Kim Chiu admits fear of speaking out amid latest ABS-CBN shutdown orders

MANILA — Actress Kim Chiu admitted on Wednesday she now fears speaking out amid the latest blow to her home network ABS-CBN.

Last Tuesday, separate cease and desist orders from the National Telecommunications Commission directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its digital TV transmission in Metro Manila using channel 43 (TVPlus), as well as Sky Cable Corp.'s SKYdirect.

The new round of forced shutdown came a month after ABS-CBN was ordered to halt its free-TV and radio broadcast, affecting the job security of some 11,000 employees amid a pandemic that's already impacted industries and livelihood.

In an Instagram Stories update, Chiu shared an image of ABS-CBN's statement regarding the halt of its TVPlus shows.

She wrote in her caption: "Minsan mapapaisip ka na lang talaga. Gusto mo magsalita pero 'di mo magawa. May takot, kaba, trauma."

"Nakakalungkot na pinagdadaanan ng lahat ng Kapamilya ito. Ayaw ko man isipin pero parang personalan na. Wala akong tinutukoy, ito lamang ay naisip ko lang. Grabe lang. Grabe."

Chiu, a Kapamilya for 14 years now, was one of the vocal supporters of ABS-CBN during its initial broadcast shutdown. Her admittedly confusing analogy between the network's situation to students complying with classroom rules made her the target of ridicule online — an episode which she described as "one of the lowest points" in her life.

Chiu has since turned the viral remark into a hit track, "Bawal Lumabas," which is also the banner of a relief drive for vulnerable sectors amid the coronavirus crisis.