Xian Lim: ‘Everything happens for a reason’
Actor-director Xian Lim made his first public appearance last Jan. 6, after his break-up with long-time girlfriend Kim Chiu was announced last Dec. 23. The occasion was the grand media conference of his teleserye with Jennylyn Mercado entitled "Love.die. Repeat.'' which premiered on GMA Prime last Jan. 15.
"In life, everything happens for a reason, so we just have to move forward kung ano man yun (whatever it is)," Xian remarked when asked if he was open to the idea of a former love being revived or repeating itself, about the title of the TV series.
"Kung hindi man umulit or umulit (whether it doesn't repeat or repeats itself), everything's gonna happen for a reason," was Xian's philosophical reply.
The actor then refused to answer whether he greeted Kim over the holidays. Xian stated that he spent it at home with his mom and grandmother. " Simple lang ang salo-salo namin. Noong New Year, natulog kami ng maaga kasi takot ang mga seniors sa paputok," he revealed.
(We had a simple get-together. We went to bed early during the New Year because the seniors feared the firecrackers.)
One of the showbiz writers asked Xian if he was okay after his celebrated split with Kim. He answered: "Dapat naman talaga okay!"
Asked how his "heart" is, Xian said he is "keeping busy doing different things and working on different projects."
It's Xian's first time working with Jennylyn, who had to take a hiatus from their planned project four years ago due to pregnancy and motherhood.
"Love. Die. Repeat." tells the unique story of two lovers separated by death and how a time loop can put them back together. Xian plays the role of Bernard, while Jennylyn stars as Angela. They are the husband-and-wife team who had to suffer through the tragedy.
They were asked what it was like working together for the first time.
Jennylyn said of Xian: " Madali siyang pakisamahan, magaan siyang ka-trabaho. Makwento sya. Magiging friends kayo agad."
(He is easy to get along with, he's easy to work with. He has lots of stories to tell. You'll be friends right away.)
Xian, meanwhile, quipped: " Paulit ulit kong sinasabi fan ako ni Jennylyn nung kabataan days ko pa. Nakikita ko pa yung notebook na may Jennylyn Mercado. Nakakatuwa lang nung nakita ko sya, sabi ko: Ikaw yung pinapanood ko noon, paano ako aarte sa harap mo... nakakahiya!"
(I keep saying that I was a fan of Jennylyn when I was young. I remember seeing a notebook with Jennylyn Mercado on the cover. So when I saw her, I told her: You were the one I was watching, how can I act in front of you now... it's embarrassing!) Jennylyn said all of them got along well on the set. "Hindi naman pwedeng mabigat na nga ang mga eksena, ang bibigat nyo pang magkakasama." The other actors who comprise the cast of "Love.die.repeat." are Mike Tan, Valeen Montenegro, Ina Feleo, Valerie Concepcion, Ervic Vijandre, Faye Lorenzo, Victor Anastacio, Nonie Buencamino, Samantha Lopez, Shyr Valdez, and Malou De Guzman.