Xian now with Viva

Confirmed: Xian Lim is now a Viva artist.

It’s not clear why Xian left Star Magic, his home for many years  and to whom he owes what he has achieved so far. Did Viva make an offer hard to refuse? Guess.

According to a Funfare VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), Xian’s contract with Viva Artists Agency/Viva Films was sealed as early as October (or November) last year but it was kept confidential until yesterday when he signed the 10-picture exclusive contract. Xian’s contract with Star Magic expired last Saturday, Jan. 20.

Present at the contract signing at the Viva board room at Tektite Building (Ortigas Center, Pasig City) were Boss Vic del Rosario, Veronique del Rosario-Corpus and June Torrejon-Rufino. Boss Vic announced that Xian’s first Viva project is the adaptation of the Korean movie Miss Granny which topbills Sarah Geronimo and James Reid. Xian will portray the record producer who is Sarah’s character’s love interest, with James as the grandson.

With Viva execs Veronique del Rosario-Corpus and June Torrejon-Rufino

“I couldn’t wait to start shooting,” Xian was quoted as saying. “I’ve been hoping to work with Sarah in a movie for a long time. I am given an opportunity to work with Sarah and James in their upcoming movie and I was very excited kasi even a couple of years back, kapag tinatanong ako, sino ang mga gusto mo makapareha, I mean, to be able to work with Sarah, it’s already a very huge blessing,” said Xian.

It seems that Viva is the current “go-to” for stars who want to pursue a new “career path.” So far, among Viva’s contract stars are Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Vice Ganda, Bela Padilla, Yassi Pressman, Cristine Reyes, Andi Eigenmann, Heart Evangelista, Louise delos Reyes, Sarah Lahbati, Ryza Cenon, Marco Gumabao and Billy Crawford.

Xian’s signing up with Viva came as a big surprise since for nine years he was known as a loyal exclusive contract of Star Magic, the talent management agency of ABS-CBN which built him up as the loveteam-mate of Kim Chiu. The pair’s last teleserye was The Story of Us which ended in June 2016, followed by a special participation in the Ian Veneracion-Bea Alonzo soap A Love To Last and a lead role in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).

Xian assured that even now that Viva is managing his career, he would remain “loyal” to ABS-CBN and nothing would change between him and Kim.

“Definitely, nandoon pa rin naman yon. I’ve been always vocal about our tandem. Hindi siya matatapos, I mean, the KimXi tandem will always be there. I’m sure, there’s gonna be a project lined up para sa KimXi tandem. KimXi will always gonna be there. Hindi naman siya tinalikuran ng mga sumusuporta.”

Asked if ABS-CBN didn’t make a move to renew his contract or make a counter offer, Xian was mum.

“Nag-usap naman kami nang maayos. Napakaliit ng mundo natin. It doesn’t mean I’m with Viva family, i-e-exclude nating lahat. Hindi naman po ganoon. We’re all still one big family working together.”

As a Viva artist, Xian would have to follow what the company dictates. What if, just if, Viva puts him in a show on GMA?

Said Xian, “All I can say is that I really love ABS-CBN which has always been my home.”

Incubus at Big Dome February 17

Also confirmed: Yes, Incubus will have a show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 17, to be produced by Renen de Guia’s Ovation Productions. More shows are lined up as the band announces added concerts in Australia and New Zealand and the continuation of their North American tour.

This is to assure fans who have been asking Funfare if it’s confirmed that the band is indeed coming.

Incubus’ 8 Tour in Manila is presented by Ovation Productions with The Philippine STAR among the media partners. Tickets available via www.ticketnet.ph and regular Ticketnet outlets. Ticket prices are P7,295/P6,240/P4,125/P2,015/P1,065. For info, call Ticketnet +632 911-5555 or Ovation Productions +632 532-8883.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)