Xian Lim directs his comic idols in Hello, Universe

MANILA, Philippines — After a decade in the acting arena, where he starred in mostly romantic-comedies and light dramas, Xian Lim took his career a step further and ventured into directing.

In 2019, he did his Cinemalaya directorial debut in Tabon. He had succeeding directorial projects that came along. There was the series, Pasabuy (2021) for an online streaming platform.

He also did an adaptation of Ibong Adarna, told through the eyes of puppets and produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). There was also an independent film festival where Xian directed a “horror film with a twist.”

Getting used to hearing his new moniker, direk Xian, is something the actor-director still has to be familiar with.

“I have to get used to it,” Xian said. “But directing is something that I really want to do from the start of my acting career. It’s something that I really need to do to satisfy the heart. Wow! I always wanted to be behind the camera and that’s exciting for me.”

From Xian’s first Cinemalaya as an actor, director Gil Portes’ Two Funerals (2010), Xian was already inspired to become a director that early.

“I remember asking direk Gil so many questions at that time,” Xian recalled. “He was really attending to all my questions and he really answered everything. That’s why I really have high respect to the people working behind the camera.”

“And so much work that comes to the magic of filmmaking. That was more than 10 years ago when I wanted to become a director,” he added.

Xian was excited when he started working on the comedy flick, Hello, Universe, with the screenplay he also wrote. Veteran comedians Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana and Benjie Paras lead the cast. Also starring are Sunshine Guimary and Gene Padilla.

“It’s such an honor to be working with Janno and Anjo,” Xian admitted. “They were my comedy idols when I was still younger. It was such an honor to be graced by their presence. They brought their years of experience in the industry to this material that we have.”

The wacky tandem of Janno and Anjo started 25 years ago in Ober da Bakod. Thankfully, everything aligned for Xian’s choices. From the start, he had already artists in mind to make up part of his cast for Hello, Universe.

Anjo (left) and Janno have been the comedy idols of Xian since he was still younger.

“I requested for all the names,” Xian said. “They were all perfect to play the part. I worked with these guys and I presented to them this riot of a film. It was really so inspiring to be around these comic people. Hearing what the cast commented before we all started working, nakakatunaw ng puso. Ang hirap to put into words ‘yung nararamdaman ko. At the same time, I got really emotional.”

Xian made sure all the characters in Hello, Universe would shine in their own right. “I made a promise to all the cast that they will look beautiful and they will look great, because this is a different kind of film. Something new and something fresh.”

Hello, Universe is a fantasy-comedy with a touch of drama. The story was conceptualized by Xian a couple of years ago. “We just kept on adding to it,” he said. “Basically, everyone on the Viva writers’ table wanted to tell a fresh story. We wanted to present something light, something fun with a different twist, at the same time. The story, in a nutshell, is about second chances.”

Working with Janno, Anjo and Benjie prompted Xian to watch the comedian’s films all over again. “I watched clips on YouTube. These are veterans. Haligi ng industry. Especially for us, the younger generation, we do look up to them. Icons na sila.”

“When we watched their films again, we were coming up with different ideas. ‘Wait, parang hindi pa nila ‘to nagagawa.’ It will be nice to see and look something fresh in the eyes of Gen Z and millennials,” he shared. “I’m a huge fan of these icons. I’ve been vocal about it, especially with Kuya Janno, sobra akong huge fan ng trabaho niya.”

The story of Ariel (Janno), a middle-aged man, gets another chance to rewrite his past when he meets a magical figure who gives him the life he always dreamt of.

Having led a mediocre life, Ariel meets Jessie (Benjie), a genie who will give him a magical chance to live in an alternate universe.

Coming from Ricky Lee’s scriptwriting workshop, Batch 17, Xian had plenty of concepts for the writers’ table. “I just wanted an uplifting story before the pandemic,” he offered. “So, I started writing, got my friends together and nag-jamming kami. This is actually based on my experience playing basketball and trying to make it as a professional. That was the dream for me and it didn’t happen.”

“At that time, I didn’t have Plan B or Plan C. But life leads you to a whole different direction,” he continued. “You go through so many ups and downs. I didn’t get what I wanted. It led me to another door. I want to tell that story. I want to provide hope and inspiration at the same time to the viewers. We cannot tell what’s ahead, so we just have to live at the now and not take life for granted.”

Hello, Universe is Xian’s dream film. “Dito po lahat naka-focus sa Hello, Universe ang puso at kaluluwa ko,” he said. “I take it one project at a time. I try not to look so far ahead. I also try not to look back at regrets in life. Given this opportunity to be with all the wonderful actors, dito lang ang buong focus at pagmamahal sa pelikulang ito.”

In his future projects, Xian expresses his desire to work with such veteran stars as Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor, whom he considers the “pillars of the industry.”