Xian Lim on Negative Feedback About His Hosting Style

There has been negative feedback about Xian Lim’s hosting style in the recently-concluded Binibining Pilipinas Pageant. Many have noted that he noticeably read most of his spiels and kept on making awkward gestures throughout the show. Xian was humble enough to admit that he’s still learning the ropes when it comes to hosting. “Siyempre, there’s still room for improvement. This is my first time to host this kind of big event. Sige, hayaan mo, sasabihin ko sa kanila, next time hindi ko na babasahin,” said the McDonald’s endorser in an interview and other entertainment reporters during his store visit at the said fast food chain in Katipunan, Quezon City last April 16.

Xian also shared how he handled the incident where one of the top five finalists misunderstood the question given to her during the Question and Answer portion. “Actually, pinaulit na lang yung question. The first thing I wanted to do ask the judge to repeat the question. But I wasn’t sure if that was okay because that’s a competition. There are rules kung ano pwede ko gawin.”

Xian maintained that he was prepared to deal with possible mix-ups during the show, but he just wanted to make sure that he was following the pageant’s protocol. “We were prepared, pero I wasn’t sure kung pwede ko ba siya tulungan. Siyempre naman you have to be careful. Pero I talked to the director, Mr. M (Johnny Manahan), kinut siya, and sabi, ‘Tell the judge to repeat the question.’”

At any rate, Xian’s fans came to show their support during the event, proven by the loud cheers from the audience as soon as they saw him on stage. “That was really exciting. Sobrang nakakatuwa yung experience because ever since I started, gusto ko talagang mag-host [at] binigyan kaagad ako ng Binibining Pilipinas. Nagtataka ako kung bakit nagsisigawan yung tao tapos napatingin ako sa camera [kami pala naka-focus sa LED screen], buti hindi ako humikab,” he added with a laugh.

Xian added that he had fun working with his co-hosts Iza Calzado, Venus Raj, and Georgina Wilson. “It’s really fun especially with the hosts talagang sa backstage pa lang tawanan kami ng tawanan. Mabait silang lahat. Nakakatuwa sila katrabaho. Akala ko nga ano, kasi ‘di ba they’re really pretty girls. Akala ko they have that [look na parang] hindi namamansin. But they’re really nice.”