Xian & Kim: No ‘label’

MANILA, Philippines - Are they now going steady?

That is the question curious minds are trying to figure out every time Kim Chiu and Xian Lim are being seen lovey-dovey and so comfy with each other.

But if actions speak louder than words, then Kim and Xian need not say anything to confirm the status of their relationship or describe their feelings for each other. An oversized heart-shaped bouquet of red and pink roses with Kim’s name etched on it and a candle-lit dinner for two with piped-in mellow music  all courtesy of Xian on Valentine’s Day are enough proof that they are more than friends.

Still, Kim and Xian — also known as KimXi — are being prodded to make vocal of the real score between them. More so now that the two are top-billing the latest ABS-CBN primetime soap The Story of Us that is set to air beginning Feb. 29.

After the show’s grand presscon held Monday evening, Xian said he was aware that people have been — for the longest time — wanting to hear the answer directly from them. There were even some who asked Xian to describe his love story with Kim.

“Yeah, we’ve already been asked what is our (real-life love) story. And I said everlasting love because my love for Kim is everlasting,” he said without batting an eyelash. “I can describe it that way. Kasi natatakot po ako, I’m sure even Kim, to put a label (on the relationship) because I know some are saying ‘ito na naman, we’re happy or Ito na naman ang level up na.’ But I’d like you to know that I love Kim so much. And come to think of it, there are relationships that easily crumble once they put a label on them… sana po ibigay n’yo na lang sa amin at iniingatan po talaga namin.”

Kim, on the other hand, expressed her appreciation for Xian. “I’m very thankful that there is still a guy like Xian who is so patient with me; he’s consistent and he never seems to get tired of me. He never sets his eyes on any other (woman) na parang sinasabing itong si Kim ang arte-arte; ‘di s’ya ganun. Xian is true to his words.”

One writer asked what’s stopping them from making their relationship public and Xian answered, “Nothing is stopping us. Nothing is stopping me from loving Kim. It’s just that if you put label to this… basta natatakot lang po kami na baka may mangyari, baka marami pong dumagdag, marami pong masabi. But I am not afraid to show when I hold her hand or kiss her (looking at Kim straight in the eyes and told her ‘I love you very much’).”

However, Kim and Xian didn’t hesitate to tell everything when it comes to their latest soap which they consider as their most mature, most dramatic TV project so far. The two were initially paired up in My Binondo Girl and then followed by Ina, Kapatid, Anak.

“It’s been years since our last TV project, and this new show is all worth the wait. As I’ve said, I was saddened by the fact that there was no TV project for me then medyo matagal din akong naghintay,” Xian said.

With director Richard Somes

Thankfully, his support group stayed by his side no matter what, especially his mom whom Xian can run to all the time and his Star Magic family. That’s why Xian never thought of quitting showbiz during the time when projects come far and between. “I don’t easily quit; pupukpok at pupukpok ako sa mga bagay hangga’t kaya ko.”

No wonder, in The Story of Us, Xian is inspired to work doubly hard. Kim shared that she didn’t expect Xian to deliver dramatic scenes excellently. “I was surprised when he shed lots of tears sabi ko, ‘Xi san galing yun?’ Wait ‘til you see what more Xian can do.”

For the 26-year-old actor, he never fails to give his best in every acting assignment. “Perhaps, every artist’s journey is different. Each has his own experience to tell. Like what direk Richard (Somes, Story of Us director) have said when he spoke to us before we started taping, the process is important more than what the viewers are going to see. Talagang dapat mahalin mo kung ano ang hindi nakikita ng mga tao.”

Regarding their sexy scenes in the soap, Xian shared that he asked his leading lady of her limitations and made sure that Kim won’t feel violated during the shoot.

Kim added that they, with direk Richard’s guidance, were able to do the scenes in a tasteful manner. She, too, completely plunged into her character Tin. “Direk truly respected what I can only do but I admit I had goosebumps all over (laughs).”

(The Story of Us also stars Aiko Melendez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Susan Africa, Mara Lopez, Alyanna Angeles, Bryan Santos and Zaijian Jaranilla.)