The health buff in Xian Lim

CEBU, Philippines - Like many screen heartthrobs, actor Xian Lim banks hugely on his charmer looks and fit physique to land one acting job and endorsement deal after another.

The abs, muscles and over-all healthy aura didn’t just appear magically though — the 24-year-old puts in a lot of work to achieve the ideal poster boy image that others can only aspire for.

“In our line of work, it’s important to stay healthy and fit so we can endure the long hours and still perform well. I already try to keep active by working out and playing basketball every now and then and I also make sure to eat in moderation,” shared Xian in an interview when he recently visited Avon’s sales representatives in Cebu. The ABS-CBN talent was tapped to endorse the global beauty company’s Avon Life Boost Vitamin C tablet brand.

Xian said he doesn’t have the luxury of a regular good night’s sleep. Nor does he have a schedule that affords him to hit the gym daily. “I usually wake up at 7 a.m. and finish at around 9 a.m. the next day. But when I don’t have a taping schedule, that’s when I allot time for exercise. I like the feeling after exercising in a gym. When I sweat, I feel so light and refreshed.”

While pumping iron gives the chinito a natural high, there’s no fitness activity he enjoys most than shooting hoops with a group of buddies. His main reason, after all, for returning to the Philippines at age 18 from the United States was to pursue a pro basketball career here in his home country. He played ball for the University of the East (UE) Warriors before his discovery by ABS-CBN’s Star Magic bosses waylaid his initial plans.

He said, “Running is something I do maybe three times a week, but basketball is what I’m usually into. I used to play at UE, but I didn’t make it to Team A, I was just until Team B. I did the regular routine of exercise and diet. Even before Star Magic got me, I was already living a healthy lifestyle. Playing basketball has now become a must for me. In the future when I have more free time, I would also love to join a triathlon.”

Enviably so, Xian’s active lifestyle allows him to indulge on any meal he craves for. Having been born and raised in the United States where employing househelp was not a norm, Xian also learned to fend for himself in the kitchen.

“I eat anything. I’m not picky when it comes to food. I’m of the belief that anything eaten in moderation is okay. I love fish. I eat rice when I need to, especially when I have a lot of things to do in a day,” said Xian, who asked after our interview where he could eat ngohiong, a Cebu sidewalk staple that he said Kim Chiu told him to try out while he was in town.

Apparently, food seems to be Xian’s only vice. The young bachelor doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink alcohol and dislikes the bar scene. “I was curious during my college years, especially having friends from the United States. When they came over to visit me in here, they convinced me to visit a bar. I relented to see what goes on in bars, but I went home after a while. I’m not really a party boy. I’m more of a stay-at-home kind of guy.”

What can the exercise hound advise individuals who can’t muster enough discipline to go the healthy route? Xian suggested thus, “Just get started. You don’t have to jump into it full-blast right away. Work on it little by little. That’s what I do sometimes. When I feel just staying home today, I make up for it the next days. Over time, you will be motivated to make it a habit.”

Big screen success

According to Xian, his network is currently cooking up his next television series. It has no working title yet and he’s not certain if Kim will still play his leading lady. The recording artist also divulged that he’ll soon be releasing his sophomore album composed of ballads and with some of his compositions tossed into the mix.

The star shared further how he was able to breathe a sigh of relief upon learning that his recent Star Cinema film with Kim, “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo,” didn’t end up a flop.

“At first, it was very nerve-wracking. When I heard about our movie’s box-office success and how people reacted to the film, it felt really exciting since it was the first movie where I played a lead role,” he said.

The flick based on a Ramon Bautista book of the same title reportedly surpassed the P100-million mark on its third week of screening. Xian attributed the rom-com’s success not only to his chemistry with the Cebuana actress, but also to the script’s universal tale of unrequited love.

“I think it was because people could relate to the story. Like Kim’s character, most of us went through an ugly phase. I myself went through a chubby and awkward stage before and the girls I had crushes on didn’t know I existed. That feeling is something many viewers felt at one time or another.”  (FREEMAN)