Hearing his new title, Direk Xian, is something new for Xian Lim, and it’s something he’s still getting accustomed to.

“Panibago talaga,” the actor-turned-director said to ABS-CBN News. However, directing is something I’ve wanted to do from the beginning of my acting career. I’ve always wanted to be behind the camera, so this is quite thrilling for me. “

Lim’s directorial debut in Cinemalaya was “Tabon” (2019), and he has since directed productions like “Pasabuy” (2021) for an online streaming platform.

In addition, he adapted “Ibong Adarna, ” told through the eyes of puppets and produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. There was also an independent film festival where Lim directed a “horror film with a twist,” 

“Directing is something that I really need to do to satisfy the heart. Wow!,” Xian said.

Lim was motivated to become a filmmaker after his first Cinemalaya as an actor, director Gil Portes’ “Two Funerals” (2010).

“I remember asking Direk Gil so many questions at that time,” Xian explained.

“He was really attending to all my questions and he really answered everything. That’s why I really have high respect to the people working behind the camera.

“And the so much work that comes to the magic of filmmaking. That was more than 10 years ago when I wanted to become a director.”

Lim is thrilled to be working on “Hello, Universe,” for which he also created the screenplay. The show is led by veteran comedians Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana, and Benjie Paras.

Sunshine Guimary, Madeline Red, Joe Vargas, MJ Cayabyab, and Gene Padilla all appear. Majo Lingat makes her cinematic debut in “Hello, Universe.”

“Seeing the newcomers who are part of the cast, you know right away ibibigay nila ang lahat to this project,” He said.

“You can see the passion and enthusiasm in their eyes.

“Si Anjo and Janno, it’s such an honor to be working with them. Bata pa lang ako, ini-idolo ko na sila. It is such an honor to be graced by their presence so they can bring their years of experience in the industry to this material that we have.”

Lim had artists in mind to make up part of his ensemble for “Hello, Universe” when the film was still “skeleton,” including Gibbs and Yllana. He was looking for “the greatest” actors for his cast. Everything seemed to be working in his favor.

“I requested for all the names. They will be perfect to play the part. I worked with these guys and I presented to them this riot of a film.”