Xian Lim on his childhood, Kim, and ‘Paddington’

MANILA, Philippines – Xian Lim may be the brooding alpha male with a soft heart onscreen, but taking on the voice role of the lovable bear Paddington on film revealed the actor’s inner child. “People tell me nga eh, ‘Parang you look like a bear,’” he told reporters at a press conference for the film. 

Based on a children’s book series, the film Paddington narrates the adventures of the eponymous Peruvian bear in the city of London. Xian Lim voiced Paddington for the Philippine release, set to premiere in cinemas February 11. 

He still found it so surreal that he accomplished such a role. “Grabe lang na yung series na pinapanood ko dati as a child, ako na yung nagtatake-on.” 

(It’s amazing how the series I used to watch as a child, I’m now part of it.)

Animatedly telling reporters stories about his childhood, Xian said he related so much to his character. “People used to tell me I was cu–“ 

“No, no! I wasn’t gonna say I was cute,” he laughed. “I was going to say curious, pero sige, pwede na rin. Thank you!”

He said that he was interested in film early on. “When I was a little kid, I liked those stop motion stuff – I like to edit videos, basically. In my computer, vinovoice-over ko ‘yung mga ginagawa kong projects.” 

(When I was a little kid, I liked that stop motion stuff – I liked to edit videos, basically. In my computer, I did voice-overs for my projects.)

While he considered Paddington to be one of his biggest achievements, he also shared some things to look forward to this year.

“As you probably heard, may bagong Kim-Xi [referring to his onscreen love tandem name with actress Kim Chiu] teleserye, tsaka may bagong film na rin ako pero wala pang details.” (I have a new film too, but no details yet.) 

In Paddington, Xian is top-billed along with international actors Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, to name a few. “I’m very proud – that was my initial reaction – because this is something different. We can show the Filipino audience something new.” 

He also is very keen on meeting some of the cast, saying, “Sana makapunta na rin sila dito para sa premiere.”

(Hopefully, they can come to the premiere.)

And as for his rumored girlfriend, Kim Chiu, he plans to surprise the actress with his performance in the movie. “Gugulatin ko talaga siya. Feel ko magugulat siya eh.”

(I will surprise her. I think she will be surprised, too.)

The Philippine release of Paddington will open in cinemas on February 11, 2015, with Xian as Paddington. – Rappler.com