Xian Lim and Kim Chiu know exactly what makes their pairing work like magic

In the romantic comedy “Past Tense,” Kim and Xian test their acting mettle with actress-comedian Ai Ai delas Alas.

The veteran actress’ humility made quite an impression on Kim.

“Parang ’wag mong ilagay sa utak mo kung nasaan ka man, kung anuman ’yung narating mo, sobrang andiyan ka na pero magmamaldita ka (na), ‘Ayoko na, cutoff ko na, uuwi na ko!’ Hindi siya ganun,” she said of Ai Ai. “(Instead, she would ask,) ‘Ilan pa ba? O sige tapusin na natin, hanggang dun na lang ang kaya ko.’ Parang ganun na kaya pa namang habaan ang oras…”

Kim is no stranger to how critical people are in show business, and how simple things can spur chitchat. “( Pero) kay Mama Ai, (’ pag) pinag-usapan siya, ‘ Ang bait ni Ms. Ai, kahit ang tagal na niyang artista pero ganun pa rin siya.’ Parang gusto ko ganun din ako.”

She wishes to have the same impact on people “na pag-alis ko, maganda ’yung mga sinasabi sa akin ng mga tao. Pag-talikod ko, maganda ang reviews.”

Xian, meanwhile, noted how professional the veteran actress is.

“Kaka- recover pa lang niya sa sakit, tapos wala talaga siyang reklamo kahit ’yung bahay na pinagshu-shooting-an namin is sobrang dumi, puro alikabok, tapos pinapahiga si Ms. Ai Ai sa sahig, pinapagulung-gulong siya, kung anu-anong pinapagawa, kay Ms. Ai okay lang talaga lahat,” he shared.

“Kumbaga si Ms. Ai, go with the flow lang talaga, ‘Gagawin ko ’to dahil gusto ko ’to.’”

Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, “Past Tense,” opens nationwide on Nov. 26. (Photo by Bhenj Agustin)