Chris Tiu: Someone you'd bring home to mom

If there's someone you'd want to bring home to mom, it's got to be Chris Tiu. A star basketball player, a model student, and a barangay kagawad, he's everything you've heard about and more. The 23-year old Atenean finished Management Engineering in 2007, and is currently taking up his second major in Applied Math and Finance, with a minor in Chinese Studies. He is now on his final semester in Ateneo. He's also the Blue Eagles' team captain, which kicked off his status as hard court heartthrob. With his venture into hosting GMA's Pinoy Records with Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Chris gained a bigger following, and rightly so, because this guy has set a good example to the youth by making school his top priority. When he was asked to choose between school and showbiz, his answer was firm: "Syempre pag-aaral." He adds, "Ever since naman, priority ko [na ang] pag-aaral, at syempre ngayon 'yung UAAP season, [so] gusto ko naman manalo ng championship para sa Ateneo!" When asked if he continued his studies to extend his stay in the team, he answers that although it's one of the reasons, another factor contributed to his decision. "I already got into finance when I was in third year," he says. "I was exposed to the finance industry and I wanted to become an investment banker initially, so I wanted to learn more about it. And at the same time I like playing basketball, so it worked both ways." When it comes to practices with the Blue Eagles, Chris says that he's thankful that they're very understanding. "'Yung mga close friends ko in college, even high school, kilalang-kilala na nila ako. Siguro naninibago sila na pumasok ako sa media, [kasi] ine-expect nilang lahat na papasok ako sa business, pero ngayong nandito ako, naga-adjust [sila]. Minsan niloloko [nga] nila ako!" he shares. Now that he's hosting another show on GMA, apart from his school and Pinoy Records commitments, what were the things he had to sacrifice? "Marami talaga," Chris replies. "Time for the family, time for friends—syempre, mababawasan na yun. Yung time ko talaga ngayon, binibigay ko sa basketball training, kasi in a day siguro mga four to five hours kami nagte-training. And then pag minsan walang training, taping naman ako for Pinoy Records, and now,Ripley's Believe it or Not." In everything he ventures into, Chris says that his family is behind him 100%: "Very supportive sila sa lahat ng pinapasukan ko--sa basketball, sa media, etc." Does he still have time to go out? "Hindi masyado, unless kasama yung teammates ko, kung gusto nila magbonding-bonding, sama-sama [kami]." Hosting, not acting! How is it like hosting with Manny Pacquiao? "It's fun!" Chris exclaims. "He's a funny guy--people normally see him as someone very serious, a fighter, but he makes some funny, witty comments also! [He definitely] lightens up the mood. I'm really lucky, and I'm really thankful to have been given that co-host position [for Pinoy Records]." People have started comparing him to Paolo Bediones, who's also an Atenean host. Paolo has proven himself many times over, and he's now the newest face of Survivor Philippines. How does Chris feel about it? "Na-meet ko siya sa Bb. Pilipinas, siya 'yung host, ako ['yung] isa sa mga judges. And of course, Atenista rin siya. Nagbibigay siya ng [hosting] tips [sa akin]," says Chris. If there's any host he'd like to emulate, Chris shares that it's Paolo: "Siguro yung parang ginagawa ni Paolo. Very professional dating niya, wholesome, [and] yung mga projects na nakukuha niya, the best!" Since Paolo had a few acting stints, does that mean that Chris might venture into acting as well? "Parang hindi ko makita sarili ko na naga-act. Hosting na lang!" he replies with a laugh. "It's not my thing talaga. Hosting at saka basketball ako." This doesn't mean, however, that Chris never had acting offers! He was supposed to be in GMA Films' Ouija, but he declined it, together with a basketball show on Channel 5. So if he weren't in show business, where does he think he'd end up in? "Business, definitely, 'cause my family's into business," he imparts. "Something that's service oriented, I guess." In the meantime, Chris has invested in rice meal food stalls at the Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College cafeterias. Student celeb What are the perks of being a student celebrity? "I don't know, I always go to class, e!" Chris answers, grinning. "Good student ako, I submit all requirements on time, I take the exams on time, sometimes I'm absent, but if I really have to lang! If I'm absent, I make sure that I do everything that I [missed]. I guess in that sense, mas lenient sila sa mga absences but then I make sure that I make up for them." Another thing he had to give up is his privacy: "Medyo nabago na rin kasi medyo nakilala na ng mga tao sa basketball, sa UAAP, sa Pinoy Records. Parati nila ako kinakamusta, [pati] si Manny, [kinakamusta nila]. Medyo nawawala na rin yung privacy, but I guess kasama na rin sa trabaho yun." Extra-curriculars As if school and showbiz weren't enough, Chris is also a barangay kagawad! "For me, it's my chance to give back din, sa mga opportunities and blessings na naibigay sa akin," he says. "[It's] service [para] sa mga constituents namin sa Makati, and more on the youth. Dati talaga, SK ako for five years, and very fulfilling yung trabaho ko doon. Actually, hindi nga trabaho, e. More of parang swerte ako--I love [being] in that position na makakatulong sa ibang tao." Now that he's a kagawad, Chris is in charge of the youth's education and culture. Since he already has experience with this type of work, does he see himself pursuing politics in the future? "It's hard to say what will happen in the future, [so] let's take it one step at a time. But I think I'd get into business more than politics," he answers. He has the same sentiment about going pro in basketball: "Ayoko munang magsalita hangga't hindi pa natatapos 'yung season, pero open naman ako mag-try mag-pro sa PBA. Maybe try it out, and we'll see what happens. I'm just open to the idea, nothing definite." Chris appreciates the importance of working hard, but he also knows the value of taking a break. "Mahirap naman yung trabaho lang nang trabaho na hindi mo na napag-iisipan at nare-reflect kung bakit mo talaga ginagawa yung ganoong bagay, di ba?" To unwind, Chris plays the piano and listens to music. "I like listening to music in general--in the car, in my room…I [also] play golf [and] I like to travel," he shares. "Ang sabi ko naman may work, pero may time din for myself na mag-bakasyon, magreflect-reflect. Time for family [at] kaibigan." - iGMA.tv