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Xian Lim has added another milestone to his growing list of achievements after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Production degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Xian Lim has added another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Production (ABMP) degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) through its Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

The actor, director, and licensed commercial pilot completed the degree in around a year, a milestone he described as both unexpected and deeply fulfilling after years of putting his education on hold for work.

"I didn't expect to be here, in this part of my life," Xian said, in an interview with GMANetwork.com.

"I'm just very inspired to learn ngayon. If there is one takeaway that I have throughout the year that I stayed here, it's really just pushing, pushing, and the learning never stops," he shared.

The graduation was especially emotional for the actor as his family watched from the audience.

"I'm so happy, especially seeing my mom and my grandma there in the audience area," he said.

"None of us expected this, but here we are. Fifteen to 20 years nauna 'yung trabaho."

Prior to entering showbiz, Xian studied at the University of the East but was unable to complete his studies after prioritizing his acting career.

"Inuna ko 'yung trabaho, but ngayon, para sa sarili naman," he said.

"To just fill that void, basically, na gusto ko maka-graduate. I want to be part of those who finish their studies."

Music and sacrifices

Xian shared that music has always been a huge part of his life, making the music production program a natural choice.

"Ever since I was a kid, 'yun 'yung bonding time namin ng mom ko. Even when I entered the entertainment industry, I've been doing music," he said.

When he learned that DLS-CSB offers the degree through ETEEAP, Xian said he wasted no time applying.

"Immediately when I found out that College of Saint Benilde, ETEEAP offers this, I immediately signed up and checked if I would qualify, and I did," he explained.

According to Xian, the biggest challenge was making time for school while juggling his career.

"The challenges would be the sacrifices that had to be made, because kailangan mo talagang maglaan ng oras para sa kaniya," he said.

"A lot of sacrifices, a lot of jobs na kailangan munang i-put on hold or you kind of have to say pass."

He admitted that saying "no" to work did not come easily.

"Lalo na ako, it's very hard for me kasi I'm the type na pag may trabaho, sige, doon ako, doon ako. Gusto kong kumayod nang kumayod," he said.

"But with everything in life, kung gusto mo, you have to allot time and sacrifices for it."

Still, Xian said every sacrifice was worth making.

"Kahit ilang trabaho pa 'yan na hindi napunta sa akin, it's completely fine because no one can take education away from you," he said.

School support

The actor also spoke highly of his experience at College of Saint Benilde, saying the support he received from the school motivated him throughout the program.

"The whole school has been really supportive of the journey," he said.

"Ang sarap mag-aral na may ganoong people. And not just for me, hindi lang sa akin 'to. It's for everyone, I see it."

"And there's someone there pushing you and pushing you to do your best. Ang sarap lang na pakiramdam knowing that."

Xian even admitted he was not ready to leave campus after graduation.

"I don't want to leave. Ayaw ko pa talagang umalis," he said with a laugh.

"Nagpaparinig ako sa kanila, 'I want to stay, I want to stay. Huwag n'yo muna ako paalisin dito.' So, we'll see what lies ahead in College of Saint Benilde."

He added that because the ETEEAP program credits an applicant's professional experience, he was able to complete the degree in about a year.

"Ang bilis nga eh, being in the ETEEAP course because kasama na 'yung years of experience in the industry," he shared.

"This whole course took about a year."

Pursuing other passions

Outside the entertainment industry, Xian also pursued aviation and completed his training at Topflite Academy, eventually becoming a licensed commercial pilot.

He said the discipline he learned from flying mirrors the mindset he developed in school.

"Being a pilot, it doesn't end when you get the license," he said.

"Same with school. Same with this degree that I'm holding. It doesn't end here, sa graduation. Just because I have the degree, you gotta keep on working at it."

Xian said he plans to continue balancing his different passions.

"As an artist, I'll continue creating, I'll continue making films, I'll continue, of course, I'll always be an actor," he said.

"But in terms of what I'm going to do with this music production degree and with my licenses as a pilot, I just want to continue flying and I want to be able to continue making music."

"There's plenty of plans in the music that I want to make."

Apart from acting, Xian has also built a career behind the camera, making his directorial debut with the Cinemalaya 2019 film Tabon, directing a 2022 episode of Wish Ko Lang, and helming his first feature film, Hello, Universe! in 2023.

Although he enjoys being in front of the camera, Xian admitted directing gives him a different kind of fulfillment.

"There's a certain magic... when you're directing," he said.

"I love being behind the scenes. But nothing beats being behind the cameras."

For those who, like him, had to set aside their education to work, Xian offered simple but heartfelt advice.

"Be kind and be useful," he said, citing former U.S. President Barack Obama's personal mantra.

"I think at the end of it all, you go by those principles. Be kind to others and be useful with your craft. Find your purpose in life."

XIAN LIM'S LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE LIMELIGHT: