Kim, Xian promise a ‘very relatable’ romantic-comedy

CEBU, Philippines – More than topping the MMFF 2015 box-office race or nabbing acting awards, Xian Lim says he’ll feel greater satisfaction if viewers of his entry “All You Need is Pag-ibig” connect with the assortment of lovelorn, lovestruck and love-weary characters strewn all over their romantic-comedy flick.

“If someone can say ‘Kami yan eh’ – that means we’ve already done our job well,” says Xian during a press conference Monday at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

Written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, with Yoshe Dimen as co-writer, “All You Need is Pag-ibig” illustrates the diverse forms of love – from the first stirrings of a puppy love to the unrequited kind, from love of family to love that is the stuff of dreams, to love that has faded and to a love that is jaded – along with all its complications and triumphs through the intertwined stories of characters portrayed by an ensemble cast.

Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Julia and Talia Concio, Bimby Aquino Yap, Ronaldo Valdez, Nova Villa, Pokwang and Derek Ramsay also comprise the line-up of “All You Need is Pag-ibig” – Star Cinema’s official entry to the 41st MMFF.

Xian and Kim are Dino and Anya who know each other since high school, but different priorities back then prevented a romance to blossom between the two. “Our story is the second chance kind of love,” shares Kim.

Of this year’s MMFF battlefield turning out to be a showdown of love teams, Kim jokingly says they in fact actually wondered why they were the tandem cast for the roles, implying there could have been more popular pairings in the Kapamilya network that could have taken their place. On a serious note, the Cebuana actress claims that if it comes down to a contest of love stories, “All You Need is Pag-ibig” is definitely chockfull of these.

“Kung labanan ng love story, kami punong-puno ng love stories. It’s funny, but with a heart,” adds Kim.

Meanwhile, the first quarter of 2016 will see Kim and Xian starring in a TV series anew via “Story of Us,” along with Aiko Melendez and Zsa Zsa Padilla. The ABS-CBN stars will also have individual concerts scheduled one month after the other: Xian’s is set for February, while Kim’s grand 10th anniversary concert has been penciled in for March.

Despite their love team requiring them to be constantly attached at the hip, Kim and Xian says they luckily have yet to get into each other’s nerves in a major way.

“The good thing with us, we don’t let a day pass by without patching up misunderstandings,” says Kim.

“Ang pinag-aawayan lang nga namin, kung bakit hindi namamansin yung isa,” chimes in Xian. “Minsan kasi, kakatok ako sa dressing room niya. ‘Uy puyat ka ba? May kailangan ba akong malaman?’ Mababaw lang. Hindi kami umaabot ng days. Talagang pinag-uusapan namin kung meron mang tampuhan.”

“All You Need is Pag-ibig” opens December 25 in cinemas nationwide. – VAB