With the whole of Luzon still under the Enhanced Community Quarantine, you just have to be creative and curious to the different things that will interest you and other people. In the case of this writer, I happened to stumble upon this newest child star that was Aga Muhlach’s screen partner in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 block buster hit.
Born in England, Xia moved to the Philippines when she was almost five years old. “I was watching a contest on TV and I told mommy that maybe I can join,” she says of “Mini Me 2,” where her spot-on impersonation of Selena Gomez won her the grand prize.
Xia says she just wanted to be on TV and after winning, she didn’t expect to be starting a career in showbiz. But the invitations and projects just came pouring in for the bubbly young actress.
It was Your Face Sounds Familiar that catapulted her to international fame. “It was hard for me to do both at the same time,” she says, sharing that the show was being shot at the same time as drama “Langit Lupa.” But Xia wanted to be part of both. “Binigay ko nalang ang best ko sa lahat ng ginagawa ko (I just gave my best in everything that I do).”
In Your Face, Xia amazed audiences impersonating Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, Thalia, Ariana Grande, Pilita Corrales and more.
At ten years old, Xia has spent exactly half her life in England and half in the Philippines. “Here in the Philippines, it’s so fun dahil ang babait ng tao wherever you go. Lagi kang babatiin. Ang sweet po nila kaya masaya rin po ako na napunta ako dito sa Philippines (Here in the Philippines it’s so fun because everyone is so nice. They always greet you. They are so sweet, so I’m happy we moved here to the Philippines).”
Xia says she loves to travel and dreams of having her own camper van so she can travel the world. She would love to return to England soon, she says, but just to visit her grandmother who is sick. “Gusto ko po siyang maalagaan (I want to take care of her). Before she would always cook for me, so I just want to give it back to her… Gusto ko po siyang pasayahin at gustong-gusto ko siyang makita kasi miss na miss ko na siya (I want to make her happy. I really want to see her because I miss her very much).”
Apart from her initial success, Xian’s biggest break was her inclusion in last MMFF’s 2019 blockbuster hit “Miracle in Cell No. 7” is a 2013 multi-awarded Korean comedy-drama film starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Kal So-won, and Park Shin-hye.
To prepare for the role, Xia says she watched the original film to better understand the role. She worked her acting with acting coach and veteran actor Raymond Bagatsing, who she says taught her to act naturally and truthfully.
Whether the scene is happy or drama-heavy, Xia says she thinks about her motivation. Showing discipline beyond her years, she says focus is very important in preparing for each scene – even if it means not using her phone or not talking to people so she can get into character. “Binibigay ko lang ang truth, ang pinaka natural na magawa ko (I just do it as truthfully and naturally as I can),” she says.
The film stars Aga Mulach and Xia says she really enjoyed working with the actor. “I’m so happy to work with him dahil veteran actor siya,” she says, adding that he would give her tips for every scene and would always encourage her.
The film got positive reviews. The cast gave justice as they were able to portray their respective roles. Aga Muhlach was charming and believable as Joselito. I’ve always known that he was a good actor so it wasn’t much of a surprise that he could pull this role off. The actors that stood out the most for me were Xia Vigor who played the young Yesha, JC Santos who played Mambo, and Bela Padilla who played the adult Yesha.
For someone who is 10 years old, Xia has a lot of talent and maturity as an actress. Forget that she was with veteran and season actors. Xia justtook the spotlight with pride and proved that she has it.
Good job Xia. We will be excited to see you in your future projects.
With Additional Reports: Philstar.net, Ida Anita Q. Del Mundo, cosmo.ph
Photo Sources: youtube.com, abs-cbn, pikapikaph (jewell pacia)
