Xian Lim on Leading Lady Kim Chiu

Xian Lim, one of Kim Chiu’s new leading men in the series My Binondo Girl, shares his Chinese-mestizo looks was plus points for him in landing the role of Andy Wu. “My dad's side is Chinese. They're very genuine, like they do the rituals. They do everything, the tradition and all. But I wasn't here to experience it. I was in the States,” he shared during the press conference for the upcoming show.



The 22-year-old basketball player-turned-model-turned-actor spent many years living in the US but he still speaks fluent Tagalog because he lived in the Philippines when he was a child. Xian revealed that at that time, he recalled his father discussing with him about this girl that the family wants him to marry when he reaches the right age. Arranged marriage is a popular custom among Chinese families that been continuing since ancient history.



Xian shared, “Sinabi sa akin na meron daw silang irereto. Nagpaparinig sila, and I know naman na hinihiritan na ako. I heard my dad na sinabi na, 'Papa-arrange marriage ka. May ipapakilala kami sa iyo. Chinese din.’ Mga ganun. I guess they were trying to keep it Chinese.”



At that time Xian didn’t like the idea, and luckily he was brought to the US, and the plan was never pursued. Though family is very important, he said he still values freedom and personal happiness. “I'm the type of person na hindi ko talaga kayang gawin ‘yung hindi ko gusto. Gusto ko palagi one hundred percent, puso ang susundin ko.”



Xian also talked about re-learning Chinese traditions in preparation for his role in My Binondo Girl, primarily how to speak fluent Mandarin. “Na-expose na ako sa Chinese culture nung maliit pa ako. But now, it's more of refreshing than what I experienced before. I do need to study it more kasi hindi ko talaga siya one hundred percent alam. I took up some Mandarin lessons para malaman lang yung mga intonations kasi I know for this role kailangan talaga.”



Xian’s first acting project in 2008 was with Kim in Your Song presents My Only Hope, and since then the two have become good friends. “We got to know each other very well. Nakita ko talaga yung mga good traits niya. Ang gustong gusto ko talaga kay Kim is she smiles everytime. Iisipin mo wala siyang problema. Kapag ikaw ang may problema, parang mawawala ‘yung kapag nakakwentuhan mo si Kim.”



Source: www.push.com.ph