After 4-year break, Xia Vigor back in the biz to inspire others

Xia Vigor –CONTRIBUTED

Xia Vigor seemed on course to becoming one of show biz’s biggest child stars with her breakout performance in the hit Filipino adaptation of the Korean movie “Miracle in Cell No. 7.”

But barely three months after the release of “Cell No. 7”—now reportedly the eighth highest-grossing Filipino film of all time—COVID-19 happened.

Needless to say, the resulting lockdown ended up halting the momentum Xia had built. But while some people felt it was a missed opportunity for the then 10-year-old actor, she saw it differently. If anything, the unexpected break allowed her to focus on simply being a kid.

“When the pandemic hit, my mom decided we would stay in the province (Mindoro) and I’m grateful she made that decision. I experienced what it was like being away from show biz and not making movies for a while,” she said at a press conference for her new project, the upcoming comedy flick “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.”

The town they lived in was COVID-free so she had the freedom to do what she wanted to do. “When my mom was a kid, she had all these outdoor experiences, like climbing trees and riding a bike around the village. And I was able to do those, too,” she related. “Our house is also near the beach, so I’m thankful we stayed there during the pandemic.”

Xia, the grand winner of the 2015 “It’s Showtime” talent search segment “Mini Me 2,” entered show biz at 6 years old. The next four years saw her starring in various drama series like “Langit Lupa” and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” She also landed roles in films like “My Perfect You” and “Alone/Together.”

Fruitful start

It was a fruitful start to her career. But the four years she spent outside show biz were well worth it. “I experienced what it was like being away from the industry and making movies for a while,” said the British-Filipino talent, who also got considerable exposure from competing in the singing and impersonation contest “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”

But as much as she loved life out of the limelight, Xia’s love for acting never waned. “It has been a learning experience … But when my mom asked me if I still wanted to pursue acting or just move to England and study, I told her that acting really is my passion and that I still want to be part of the industry,” she said.

Now, at 14, Xia is back at it, inspired and more determined than ever. She has already proved her mettle in drama. Now, she hopes to try other genres like action and take on roles that will help her grow into a more versatile actress like her idol, actress Natalie Portman.

“I saw her movie (“Léon: The Professional”). She was just 13 there, but was already so good. She was really effective … Her performance left a mark in me. That film had me watching her other works. I hope to do roles similar to those that she has done,” Xia said, adding, “I hope movies and project offers continue to come in.”

Aside from honing her craft, another thing that drove her to return to show biz is her desire to use her celebrity to draw attention to her advocacies. She’s a World Wildlife Fund youth advocate and an ambassador for such organizations as Save the Children Philippines and Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

“If you’re an actor, your voice gets amplified,” pointed out Xia, who represented the Philippines last year at the United Nation’s Asia-Pacific Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, to talk about youth empowerment.

“I would like to take advantage of the opportunities to inspire other people,” she said. INQ