Actor-director Xian Lim has been entrusted with directing the upcoming mystery-crime thriller ‘Project Loki’, a joint project of Viva Television and MediaQuest, set to stream on Viva One and CignalPlay starting February 21, 2026.
The series stars Jayda Avanzado, Marco Gallo, and Dylan Menor, with Menor taking on his first-ever title role.
During the show’s media conference held at Viva Café in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday, February 5, Lim spoke about the fulfillment he finds in directing the series, particularly in working with a young and passionate cast.
“My heart is very at peace while directing, seeing all the actors, seeing them grow and seeing them shine,” Lim shared.
He said he constantly reminded the cast to focus less on perfection and more on authenticity.
“Lagi ko sa kanila pinaaalala, ‘Huwag niyong problemahin na maging pangit kayo, yung performance niyo. Don’t even perform para sa akin or para sa… to anyone,’” he said. “Just give me 10 percent. Just enjoy what you’re doing.”
Lim recalled emotionally charged moments on set, particularly while working with Menor.
“Minsan nag-uusap kami ni Dylan, bigla kaming nag-iyakan. Naiyak ako nung nagkukuwento ako kay Dylan,” he said. “Parang sabi ko, ‘Dylan, it’s just giving me so much joy to see you guys express… mailabas yung emotion na ’yon on cues sa trabaho na kailangan nating gawin.’”
He added that directing ‘Project Loki’ has been deeply rewarding.
“Definitely, there’s so much fulfillment in creating something.”
‘Project Loki’ is based on a Wattpad webnovel series written by Rhinlander C. Musni, more popularly known as AkoSiIbarra. The adaptation also features a strong ensemble cast that includes Yumi Garcia, Martin Venegas, Kurt delos Reyes, Ashley Diaz, Love Yauco, Iven Lim, Kent Domingo, Candy Pangilinan, and Jao Mapa.
Lim admitted that directing a new generation of artists initially felt intimidating.
“Of course, they’re the new generation of stars. How is Dylan? How is Jayda? Masipag ba sila? Are they the type na gagawin lang nila ’yong nakasulat tapos uwi na?” he recalled thinking before taping.
However, he said the cast’s work ethic quickly reassured him.
“Showing the right attitude—coming into the set prepared—ayaw nila umuwi, gusto nila magtrabaho. We have the perfect canvas to paint on,” he said.
Prior to ‘Project Loki’, Lim has directed several projects, including the Cinemalaya entry ‘Tabon’, the comedy film ‘Hello, Universe!’, the horror film ‘Kuman Thong’, an episode of ‘Wish Ko Lang’, and the music video for Glaiza de Castro’s ‘Tawid Dagat.’
‘Project Loki’ will premiere exclusively on Viva One and CignalPlay on February 21, 2026.
