Much like the ukay clothes that she sells, Melanie was also “discarded” and abandoned by her own mother when she was a baby. She dreams of making it big in the fashion world to prove her worth and show her mother that she should’ve have never left her. She finds the opportunity of a lifetime when a young, handsome fashion executive takes notice of her talents. This brings Melanie to the glamorous yet treacherous world of the Philippine fashion industry and takes her on a journey towards self-knowledge, empowerment, forgiveness, and the possibility of true love.

This is Kim Chiu‘s Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen, an 8-episode series, produced by ABS-CBN Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment, that is set to premiere this July 6, 2023 exclusively on Prime Video in the Philippines and more than 200 countries worldwide. Jake Ejercito, Angel Aquino and Christopher de Leon joins the country’s Chinita Princess in this comedy drama, which is directed by Direk Nuel Naval and is written by Genesis Rodriguez.

During the press conference, Kim Chiu, who’s playing the role of Melanie Dela Cruz, was wearing an ensemble that is inspired by a “Jeepney”, which is a well-known representation of the Filipino Culture. It has foils, car shade foams, linoleum, vinyl, just anything that is part of a jeepney, including things that are usually hanged in the rear mirror. It was put together aka “pinagtagpi-tagpi” as a bow to repurposing, or the “ukay-ukay” theme of the series and turning it into a gem of an outfit, locally made by up and coming maximalist fusion designer, Ha.Mu. She compared up and coming designers to her role, Melanie, as they all dream big, aim high and took a step to start their passion in fashion and she wishes them to be big in the years to come.

“We wanted to showcase the Filipino Culture when we were approached to pitch to Amazon, we zeroed in fashion but with an angle, “ukay”, which is something that is distinctly Filipino. We even have to explain the concept of “ukay” which is to rummage, halukay, thrifting and they find it interesting how discarded clothes can still be useful to other people. For me, it speaks of repurposing, redirection sa mga bagay na tinapon mo na, and that’s what we latched on as a concept.”, says Nathaniel Arciaga, ABS-CBN’s Content Development Head.

Jake Ejercito expresses his gratefulness to the bosses for including him in this series as this is one of his first major role with ABS-CBN. To be part of a huge collaboration] with such stellar cast members, though it could be daunting, it was easy for him as the cast members, especially Kim made it easy for each other with the trust and support that each one gives to one another. Jake plays Chris Blanco, son of patriarch, Michael Blanco (Christopher De Leon). “Once you get to know Kim, it’s really easy to get along with her and I’m sure everyone will agree with me na si Kim talaga ‘yung glue that kept us together. ‘Yung energy niya never bumababa and it’s so contagious, nahahawa ‘yung buong set,” Jake on describing his first time working with Kim Chiu.
“Doing a fashion-serye.. I super love fashion and na-enjoy ko talaga and doing this kind of genre, na-miss ko talaga gumawa ng romantic-comedy-drama na type of series na feel good lang but at the same time, may puso, may kwento about family. This is really close to home para sa ‘kin. I’m really excited na gawin ‘tong project na ‘to. Tapos ang kulay-kulay pa ng series namin and ‘yung mga cameo ng mga kasama namin dito sa show, they portray in real life, fashion designers like Michael Leyva, real-life stage directors like Robby Carmona, real life make-up artist like Juan Sarte, mga models, influencers – they portray their real life role tapos kami parang napunta lang sa mundo nila portraying our own roles sa kwento” says Kim Chiu, on doing a fashion-themed series. She mentions that she loved how they were immersed in our country’s fashion scene for the series, including their set location, showcasing the beauty of Manila and how they were still able to shoot inside the Manila Post Office before it burnt down.

Angel Aquino, on the other hand, was reluctant with her role because for a long time she played a kontrabida role in Ang Probinsyano, and Magkaribal, opposite Kim Chiu with the same director, Direk Nuel Naval. But she spoke with his director and told him that if it is starting to look like Magkaribal, then tell her because it has to be different, especially that her role in Magkaribal versus her role in the series, Georgina are of different age range.
Christopher De Leon shares that one of the factors that made him said yes on this big project, aside from knowing that it will be shown all over was its unique concept, fashion culture, great cast and good music, and of course because of Dreamscape. It was offered to him before Cattleya Killer and that they have big dreams for this that he have to grab it. He is also part of series, Cattleya Killer which is also shown in Prime Video.

“Ang ukay naman, basura ‘yan sa iba pero gem para sa karamihan and nasa pagsusuot lang naman ‘yan. Kunwari ‘yung damit mo, Php100 pero ‘yung confidence mo pang-Php1 million, hindi na importante yung presyo, ang importante nasa nagdadala lang ‘yan,” she added. She also shares that her JS prom dress in high school came from Ukay.

To end, Kim shared one of the most important lessons she learned from her role as Melanie Dela Cruz, “Never give up on your dreams, hindi naman naaabot ang pangarap ng isang kabitan lang, parang in order to embrace and smell the success kailangan mo muna pagdaanan yung hirap, para pag napagdaanan mo na yun mas masarap tanggapin ang tagumpay pag alam mong pinaghirapan mo.” She also confidently teases the press and the viewers that Fit Check is a really big project with big expectations. They are prepared for the viewers high expectations because they know that they can surpass them.

British Maritess, Justine Luzares, 2023 Summer MMFF Best Supporting Actress, Kaladkaren, Ms. International 2016 and 2022 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards Best Actress, Kylie Versoza, Award-winning veteran actress, Liza Lorena, Singer-actress, Frenchie Dy, and Former PBB Otso Housemate, Lie Reposposa are also part of the stellar cast of Fit Check.

Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen joins hundreds of other Filipino shows and films available on the Prime Video catalog, such as Cattleya Killer, 10 Little Mistresses, Deleter, Family Matters, and Walang KaParis. Prime Video members are able to watch films and shows anywhere and anytime on hundreds of compatible devices. In the Prime Video app, members can also download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in the Philippines for just PHP149 per month.

For more updates on Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen, follow Prime Video on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. Stream anywhere, anytime at primevideo.com or download the Prime Video app on Google Play, Apple Store, and Microsoft.