How Kim Chiu and Xian Lim Married Friendship and Love Before Their Breakup

Kim Chiu and Xian Lim showed us how friendship and love made their relationship last for almost 12 years

After months of speculation, Kim Chiu and Xian Lim finally confirmed that they have parted ways. In a post on Instagram, the actress wrote, “We shared more than a decade of love, each other’s support system, and many beautiful memories. It was our mutual decision to transition our relationship into what we hope to be a lifelong friendship.” Addressing her ex-partner, she also said, “Thank you for the almost 12 years of beautiful memories together one can never imagine. You will always have a place in my heart. Thank you for showing me what love is.”

Over the course of their years-long relationship, Kim and Xian brought us to their adventures together. From their primetime projects to their out of the country getaways, they were, indeed, not just lovers, but also good friends. As we all reel into the memories that they have made with each other, here are the ways they married love and friendship during their partnership.

They constantly got to know each other

In their vlogs, the two would shoot question and answer content from time to time. Although they were mainly doing this for their fans, it was also an opportunity for them to reintroduce themselves to each other. Sometimes, they would also answer for one another, which shows how they already knew the other person by heart. These kinds of conversations between the two will truly be missed.

They had a good working relationship

Before romance brewed between them, they started off as co-workers and friends in 2011 for My Binondo Girl. Later on, their chemistry resonated with their fans as they continued to star in a number of films and series. Their last teleserye together was in 2020 for Love Thy Woman. Meanwhile, they last co-starred in 2022 for the film, Always.

Outside their work relationship, their chemistry and camaraderie were also evident in their travel vlogs. Kim would join Xian’s motorcycle escapades, while the latter would happily shoot content for and with the actress during their trips. Going around the world was one way of strengthening their relationship, and they indeed built their foundation on patience, understanding, and care for each other during their travels around Asia and Europe.

They protected each other until the end

Although rumors about their breakup were already in the air, Kim respected their partnership enough to keep mum on the details about it. And during a Francis Libiran event in November, Kim responded to speculation with nothing but grace. “Sa’min na lang muna ‘yun,” she said simply.

Meanwhile, in his breakup letter addressed to Kim, the actor expressed his love for the actress not only as a previous lover, but also as an artist. “I am grateful for all the moments we shared together. Thank you for all the unconditional love throughout the years. My respect and admiration for you as a person, as an artist, and as [someone] I spent more than a decade with will always remain,” he wrote.