BOOSTING MORALE – “Lakas ng Loob” is how Xian Lim describes his feeling nowadays. His first major solo concert, “A Date with Xian,” is only a few days away, July 9, 8 p.m. at the 2,300-seater Kia Theater at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
But then he’s encouraged by the brisk sale of tickets and the morale-boosting words of colleagues and fans alike.
Pitching for Xian are the likes of Toni Gonzaga, Aaron Villaflor, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil, Jessy Mendiola, and Iñigo Pascual. When Xian personally sold tickets at a Kia Theater outlet, buyers told him, “Kayang-kaya mo iyan.”
He promises to give his all when curtain calls come, singing, rapping, dancing, and playing several instruments – with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga, no less.
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CLASSICAL TRAINING – Xian Lim plays no less than musical instruments, thanks to his mother who’s a music teacher back in the US (California). His classical training served him in good stead when back in 2012, he played the trombone with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic.
In the upcoming “A Date with Xian,” he’s playing a Mozart piece in a grand piano.
How about singing an aria from an opera like “Turandot” or “Carmen” or “La Boheme”?
“Hindi ko pa kaya. Perhaps in five years,” Xian smiled. In the meantime he’ll be singing ballad, pop, rock, OPM, including his own compositions in the upcoming concert.
By the way, his dance number is “sexy,” but how sexy, “panoorin ninyo.”
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GUESTS – Leading the list of guests is Kim Chiu, his onscreen (and offscreen) partner. The others: Richard Poon, Abra, Morisette, and Dawn Chang (Xian’s partner in that “sexy” dance).
Directed by Alco Guerrero, with musical direction by Chino David of Silent Sanctuary.
Actually, Xian has no reason to be insecure and nervous. He’s got what it takes to be an all-around artist. XL (as in extra large) in talent… and other things besides?