Today I learned that a young man I taught about ten years ago is the current reigning heart throb on a Philippine television show titled "My Bonondo Girl" This exciting news tidbit came to my attention when a news crew from a local Bay Area Filipino television station showed up to film at Ben Franklin Intermediate, our little Daly City, California middle school.When I was his 7th grade teacher, I knew him as Alex Lim. My memory could be faulty (after all, I've taught 10 more years since Alex was in my class!) but I think of him as being rather artistic. He was a sweet boy with a good sense of humor. Nowadays he goes by the name of Xian Lim, and he is quite the good looking young man! Check out the photos on his website to see how dreamy he is now. No wonder he's a heart throb.
All this just goes to show that teachers can never tell where their students will end up. We spend our days together for nine months in a very intense relationship which ends abruptly when they fly away in June. Sometimes my students stay in touch with me, but more often than not, I never hear from them again. What a pleasure to find about a former student who has made a success of his life. Of course, I'd like to take some credit for that success; after all, teaching him English must have had some effect on his ability to act!
Teachers always feel proud when one of their students becomes successful. Indeed, it feels good to have played a positive role in shaping the life of a successful person.
ReplyDeleteXian Lim is popular here in the Philippines after the successful run of My Binondo Girl. But yeah, back there in the Bay Area he was simply Alex (his official name is Alexander Xian Cruz Lim-Uy but in showbiz, his unique middle name Xian has better chances of standing out over Alexander).
It's good you got nice words for him. That description of his dreamy look cracked me up :)
Wow! Not all of the teachers remember how each of their students act. Well Im a filipino and I know Xian, he acts very well and he's really a heart throb. :") :)
ReplyDeleteWe teachers are really proud if we saw our students reach their goal in life like a Mom, Xian from an ordinary artistic kid who grow up to be a hearthrob and be a good model to everyone,My Binondo Girl really gave him a big break in showbiz, their chemistry is amazing and destiny brought them together which is not in the script in the beginning. They compliment each other and brought them the best of their personality. Keep up the good work Xian !
ReplyDeleteReading is something I learned Xian or Alex loves to do. Am sure you were some good influence. Here's more of Xian: http://kimxianity.blogspot.com/2012/06/seek-and-ye-shall-find.html
ReplyDeletewe are proud of you xian....more power to your career. we are always here to support u
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet. Your description of him as a sweet boy with a good sense of humor sounds just like him right now. Kudos to you and all in the teaching profession. Have always admired how teachers are noble and play an integral part in the well-being of their students' lives. Keep up the good work. Take care and God bless.
ReplyDeleteKim chiu and Xian Lim are the best couple :) you're lucky to have had him as a student, and he is lucky to have had such a sweet teacher :)
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