Xiam Lim is happy for getting a more convenient vehicle he could use for his work. A new sports utility vehicle was given to him by his mom on his 21^st birthday last July 12. 

"Matagal na kasi akong nagpaparinig. Last year pa po, nagpaparinig na ako," said Xian at the media junket prepared by Star Magic for its July birthday celebrators yesterday, July 14, at 9501 restaurant of ABS-CBN in Quezon City.

The former Katorse star said he got his gift days before his actual birthday. He liked it so much because he's worried when his Sedan became overused especially during tapings.

FIRST MOVIE. Xian also mentioned his shooting days for his first movie, Two Funerals, an entry to this year's Cinemalaya film festival.

"Ang hirap lalo na noong nag-shoot kami sa Two Funerals. May mga roads na talagang rocky road and City lang ang gamit ko, nabugbog siya. Kaya ngayon, masaya na ako na malaki na ang kotse ko," he said.

Talking about the movie, the Kapamilya actor said he enjoyed doing an independent film despite its low budget.

"I can say na sobrang challenging given na wala kaming gas allowance. Sobrang nakakapagod. But at the end of the day, sobrang ang sarap ng feeling. Masarap kasi nakapunta ako kung saan-saan," he told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

Although being part of an indie film doesn't pay much for an actor, Xian says he will immediately accept if he gets another offer. 

"Of course! Why not? I'm not really after the money. Kung puwede lang ako pa ang gumawa. Ano lang talaga, as long as I'm having fun," he said.

Two Funerals, directed by Gil Portes, will have its Gala tonight, July 15, 9 p.m., at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City.

GOING GAY IN MAMARAZZI. Xian is now busy shooting his second movie, Mamarazzi, which also features comedians Eugene Domingo and John "Sweet" Lapus.

In this Regal Entertainment movie directed by Joel Lamangan, the young actor will portray the character of a gay lover, which he initially hesitated to do.

"At first naman, nag-isip muna ako kasi gusto ko po muna malaman ang story," he said. "Tapos noong nag-story conference po sila, kasama na po si Ms. Eugene Domingo and John Lapus, maganda, maganda naman at nakakatawa talaga. Hindi siya 'yong masagwa na binabastos."

Xian added, "Actually, dapat ang atake na gusto nila is closet gay. Pero kung closet gay, parang wala lang. It's not also so many sequences that I'm there. So, closet gay, but how am I gonna show na gano'n? So, I pictured na gawin ko na ng kulay. They wanted it that way pero iniba ko na para may konting excitement naman."

According to him, his stint in Mamarazzi is more of having fun. But he considers his role in Two Funerals as more challenging.