KimPau’s “The Alibi” transitions to free TV

by ISABELLA CUARTERO

When “The Alibi” transitions to free TV, it won’t just be a replay. Viewers will see more — more context, more emotion, and, as the cast puts it, more truth.

“Maraming eksena na hindi napanuod sa Prime Video, so this time, buong katotohanan na talaga ‘yung mapapanuod nila,” Kim Chiu said during the grand media conference in Quezon City on February 16.

For those who followed the series online, the expanded cut promises answers — and possibly closure.

Questions, finally answered

Paulo Avelino is especially eager for audiences to revisit the story with fresh eyes. For him, the expanded version promises clarity. “Excited ako na makita niyo itong mga eksena na I’m sure masasagot ‘yung iba niyong questions tungkol sa ‘The Alibi.’”

Kim shares the excitement, noting the rarity of releasing two versions of the same project.

“Nakakatuwa, it feels amazing to do this the second time around. (First was “Linlang”). Very honored and very happy dahil nakakapanuod ‘yung mga supporters namin ng dalawang klase—isang shorter and isang longer. And at the same time they’re still supporting it 100%. We hope this time suportahan pa rin nila,” Kim said.

Stella Morales: standing in her truth

In the series, Kim plays Stella Morales, a woman anchored in conviction.

“She knows her truth and she stands by her truth,” Kim said.

“Wala nang makakatapak ng dignidad mo nu’n kung nakatayo ka sa kung ano ‘yung talagang pinaniniwalaan mo.”

Stella is a star dancer in a bar, known at night as Alegria — which means joy, or “Give joy at night.”

“Mayroon din siyang mga problema na dinadala, but at the same time, siya ang alibi ni Vincent sa lahat ng mga pinagdadaanan nila sa kumpanya nila.”

Behind the persona is a woman carrying her own burdens.

Vincent Cabrera: in search of the truth

Paulo portrays journalist Vincent Cabrera, drawn into a web of secrets.

“Journalist ako dito, pero nasangkot ako sa maraming bagay at maraming sikreto. Du’n ko hinahanap ‘yung katotohanan along the way.”

His pursuit of truth mirrors Stella’s fight for dignity.

Kim’s method: emotional continuity

Kim approaches each project with discipline and detail-oriented precision, keeping a notebook for what she calls her “emotional continuity.”

She explained her process, “Level 1 cry, level 4 happy, level 3 sadness, level 10 explosive na ‘yun so super cry na with matching sigaw na.”

She also shares this advice:

“As an actor/actress, dapat mo alam mo rin sa sarili mo kung saan mo ibibigay ‘yung dapat. Para hindi ka lang naka-depende sa direktor or sa ibang artista. Dapat aware ka rin sa sarili mong performance.”

She admits she gets shy when retakes are needed and avoids “maging paulit-ulit ng scene,” pushing herself to always deliver with intention.

Director Jojo Saguin observed that this level of awareness and skill, so far, he has seen only in Jodi Sta. Maria and Kim Chiu.

The KimPau dynamic

Asked about their real score, Pau told Kim, “Masaya ‘ko na masaya ka.”

Their chemistry goes beyond kilig, according to co-stars.

Thou Reyes said, “I’ve worked with most of the love teams here in ABS-CBN and it’s the first time I worked with KimPau. Iba ‘yung magic nila sa set, they balance each other. Bina-balanse nila ‘yung mood kahit mabibigat ‘yung mga eksena.”

Working with Kim, Angelina Cruz shared, “Para siyang ate sa totoong buhay.”

Robbie Jaworski said of Paulo, “It’s really fun. Kuya Pau gave me a lot of wisdom, good tips. I was grateful na kasama ko si Kuya Pau sa unang eksena ko talaga dahil he got to support me. I was really nervous, pero buti na lang ginabayan ako ni Kuya Pau, which I really appreciate.”

Four projects in, Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino (KimPau) continue to show that their loveteam remains strong.

Kim Chiu on choosing happiness daily

Off-screen, Kim mirrors the same mindset and resilience she gives Stella.

“We have to be happy every day. Kasi ‘di ba hindi natin alam kung ano’ng mangyayari sa atin bukas, or sa susunod na taon, so…”

She added, “Kung ano man ang nagpapasaya sa’yo ngayong taon, i-cherish mo na.”

The series features John Arcilla, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Rafael Rosell, Robbie Jaworski, Sam Milby and Angelina Cruz, joining the cast under the direction of Onat Diaz, Jojo Saguin, and FM Reyes. 

“The Alibi” begins its run on free TV in March.