Xian Lim

Alexander Xian Cruz Lim-Uy (; born July 12, 1989) is a Filipino actor. He is currently an exclusive actor of GMA Network and GMA Pictures. He is best known for his roles in '' My Binondo Girl'' (2011), '' The Reunion'' (2012), '' Ina, Kapatid, Anak'' (2012–13), '' Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?'' (2013), ''Bride for Rent'' (2014), '' The Story of Us'' (2016) and '' Everything About Her'' (2016). Lim was a contract artist of Star Magic from 2008 to 2017, until signing a contract with Viva Artists Agency in January 2018, and he officially moved to GMA Network in 2022. Since 2012, Lim has notably hosted for many major televised events, particularly Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) annually, as well as Miss Grand International in Vietnam in 2017.

Early life

Born in San Francisco, California, Lim and his family moved back to Manila, Philippines six months after his birth. Following his parents' separation, he (age 10) and his mother relocated to Daly City, California. Raised by his mother, a former model turned piano teacher, resulted in Lim learning various musical instruments including piano, trombone, saxophone and guitar. He later joined a symphonic band before graduating high school at age 18. He briefly studied psychology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, until moving to the Philippines to attend college as a basketball varsity scholar at the University of the East in Manila. However, he never played in the UAAP as he had to undergo two years of residency.

Before attaining a degree, he became involved with modeling, and eventually, acting.

Acting career

Lim was cast in a few minor roles before landing a supporting role in '' Katorse'' in 2009.

In 2010, he was part of the cast in the drama '' Rubi'' as Luis Navarro. Then, he guest starred in '' 100 Days to Heaven'' as Jojo Villanueva. He was a guest judge on ''Showtime'' and had one-episode appearances for ''Midnight DJ'', ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'', ''Wansapanataym'' and '' Your Song Presents: Andi''. In 2011, after a special participation in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'' portraying the young Joaquin del Tierro, he landed his first major lead role in '' My Binondo Girl'' top-billed by Kim Chiu. The romantic-comedy television drama was a nationwide success, garnering an average household TV rating of 28.2% provided by Kantar Media/TNS.

In early 2012, Lim signed a three-picture contract with Star Cinema and appeared in the film, ''My Cactus Heart''. In the same year, he starred in a youth-oriented movie with Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Kean Cipriano, entitled '' The Reunion''. He was also back in primetime through the teleserye drama '' Ina, Kapatid, Anak'' with Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee. He also released his debut studio album ''So It's You'' under Star Records which reached a Gold Record status.

In 2013, his film '' Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?'' with his onscreen and offscreen partner Kim Chiu earned Php 10.5 million in the first day of film showing alone, consequentially surpassing the P100 million mark at the box office for the year 2013 in three weeks time. From the outstanding box office sales, the pair obtained the nickname as the newest blockbuster royalties of their generation.

In 2014, his second movie with Kim Chiu entitled ''Bride for Rent'' earned a whopping Php 21.2M on its first day and Php 100M in just 4 days. The movie eventually grossed Php 326,958,423 during its whole run in theaters which validated the KimXi tandem's box office draw.

From 2015 to 2017, he has starred in a succession of roles, starting with his voice over for the Filipino release of ''Paddington'', as well as leading and supporting film credits in ''All You Need Is Pag-ibig'' (2015), '' Everything About Her'' (2016) and '' Sin Island'' (2018).

After Lim signed a contract with Viva Artists Agency months after his contract with Star Magic expired in mid-2017. He signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network in 2021.

Other work

Directing

Lim's directorial debut was ''Tabon'', which premiered at the Cinemalaya 2019. In 2022, Xian Lim directed an episode of '' Wish Ko Lang''. In 2023, he released his first commercial film '' Hello, Universe!''.

Activism

Lim has participated in various charity games including annual birthday events at local missions foundations, performing at benefit concerts, an event in Iloilo under Star Magic and San Juan City for the victims of Typhoon Sendong. In August 2012, he and Kim Chiu spearheaded a relief operation in Marikina for the city's flood-affected victims.

During 2013, Lim joined the PETA Free Mali campaign along with Kim Chiu. Lim made a video plea for Mali asking that she be moved to a sanctuary for the sake of her well-being.

Basketball

Lim played for the amateur basketball club Mandaluyong El Tigre in the 2018–2019 MPBL season.

Personal life

Lim actively promotes living a healthy lifestyle and his interests include filmmaking, traveling and sports. He is a self-professed health-buff, enjoys activities like running and exercises, with further intentions to someday joining a triathlon.

In 2011, Xian began courting fellow Star Magic artist and leading lady Kim Chiu. Lim and Chiu began dating in 2012, which was confirmed in a 2013 episode of '' Kris TV''. On November 15, 2018, Kim Chiu confirmed her relationship with Lim in an interview on ''Tonight with Boy Abunda''. On December 23, 2023, both Chiu and Lim confirmed their break up. In an Esquire Magazine cover interview, Lim confirmed that he is in a relationship with partner Iris Lee (b. 1991). Lee is a Chinese Filipino Senior Associate Producer at Viva Communications since October 2018, who was part of '' Hello, Universe!'' directed by Lim. Her siblings include Peidi, Liane Shaira and Celine Arian.

In 2025, Lim earned his private pilot licence and epaulette from Topflite Academy in Pasay.

Filmography

Film

Television

Digital

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Concerts

Awards, nominations and recognitions

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lim, Xian
1989 births
Living people
ABS-CBN people
Actors from Antipolo
Basketball players from San Francisco
Bicolano actors
Bicolano people
Filipino male child actors
Filipino male film actors
Filipino male models
Filipino male television actors
Filipino men's basketball players
Filipino people of Chinese descent
GMA Network (company) people
Mandaluyong El Tigre players
Male actors from Manila
Male actors from Rizal (province)
Male actors from San Francisco
Star Magic
Star Music artists
Television personalities from San Francisco
UE Red Warriors basketball players
University of the East alumni
Viva Artists Agency
21st-century Filipino male singers
21st-century Filipino sportsmen