Xian Lim on working with different networks: I just want a canvas to paint on

Xian Lim

If there’s one thing Xian Lim hates, it’s being idle and unoccupied.

Aside from acting, Xian writes scripts and directs films. He also maintains different hobbies like music, painting and riding motorcycles. While it may seem that he has too much on his plate, he still, somehow, manages to juggle everything.

The show biz grind can be hectic, but not nearly enough to stop him from pursuing his other goals. “I make time for the things I love to do,” he told a group of reporters at his contract renewal with Viva Entertainment.

During long taping days, for instance, the 33-year-old actor spends his free time conceptualizing and writing scripts.

“That’s why my costars would often ask why I always carry a laptop with me,” Xian said. “There’s a lot of waiting involved on the set. So while waiting for my sequences, I busy myself with other things.”

And sometimes, inspiration for his other interests strikes when he least expects it, or while doing something completely unrelated. “I would get story ideas while riding my motorcycle, or holding an exhibit for my paintings,” Xian related. “Painting, motorcycles, music—they all flow naturally with my schedule because I love them.”

Considerations

He knows it’s not ideal health-wise, but as much as possible, he tries to wake up at 5 a.m. even after only four hours of sleep. “I start my day early. I can’t afford to be idle because … a lot of things start running in your mind when you’re not doing anything. So I try to keep myself busy,” he said.

This was one of his considerations when he first signed with Viva five years ago. “Mahirap mabakante. But they assured me that I would always have work. And that there’s room to grow,” he said.

True enough, the company kept him occupied with acting and directing projects, as well as drama series in different networks.

Xian Lim

“I have learned so much with Viva and I believe my projects speak for themselves. I have tried a variety of roles and genres from psychological thrillers like ‘Untrue’ and romance dramas like ‘Always,’” he said. “I was also given the chance to direct.”

This time, Xian signed three five-year contacts—management, film acting and directing.

“I will be directing five films—one per year, ideally. But we could end up doing more,” said Xian, whose directorial catalog includes the Cinemalaya film “Tabon” and the fantasy comedy flick “Hello, Universe.”

Wider possibilities

“Viva is aware of the kind of films and genres I would like to do. For me, it’s all about focusing on telling my stories as uniquely as possible using my experiences in life,” he said.

Xian, who currently stars in the GMA 7 primetime soap opera “Hearts on Ice,” is also set to resume working on his series with Jennylyn Mercado “Love.Die.Repeat.,” which had to be postponed due to the latter’s pregnancy. “I look forward to all these things. I would like to do more, but my bosses teased me na baka mahilo na raw ako,” he said, laughing.

The past five years had Xian working more freely among different networks and production outfits. And while exclusivity gives security, his current setup opens him up to wider possibilities. “Exclusivity has never been an issue for me. I just want to have a canvas to paint on. I just want to work and express myself as an artist,” he said.

“Being exposed to different people and working with them helps you grow. You get exposed to different working cultures. It’s a big learning experience,” Xian said.

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