Comfort is overrated. If there’s one thing Gen Z has proven to the generations before them, it’s their willingness to explore and try new things, regardless of the outcome. At the very least, they try, and in doing so, they learn.
For decades, people have been conditioned to take precautions and make calculated decisions. More often than not, this mindset has led many to remain on the sidelines, following the same paths carved out by those who came before them.
But Gen Zs refuse to simply fall in line. Perhaps shaped by the experiences and even the apprehensions of earlier generations, they choose to keep themselves open to opportunity, venturing beyond the horizons they exist in. They experiment—sometimes stumble—but continue pushing forward until they discover where they truly belong.
The journey may not be linear, yet the twists, turns, and unexpected detours reveal what they are capable of and teach lessons that cannot be learned otherwise. In this feature, rising stars of Project Loki, Iven Lim and Joanna Lara, share how they have navigated life in the spotlight, found their way into acting, landed roles in this highly anticipated project, and continue to carve out their place in the industry.
‘Focus on Becoming, Not Proving’: Iven Lim on What Truly Matters
It’s always about, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But once you get into adulthood, the question that truly matters rarely gets asked. What do you want to do now? Dreaming about the future is easy when it still feels distant. Yet when you finally reach that point, many find themselves standing at a crossroads, unsure of where to go, what path to take, and how to even begin moving forward.
It is a moment that Iven Lim knows all too well. In 2024, he found himself in that exact phase, trying to make sense of the life unfolding before him. “Ano ba talagang gusto ko sa buhay,” the young actor recalls asking himself, a question familiar to many people navigating their early twenties. Years earlier, in 2018, he had taken acting workshops and discovered a genuine interest in the craft. But without a clear mentor or guide to help him navigate the industry, uncertainty set in. Eventually, he stepped away and returned to school, later pursuing a career in real estate.
Still, some paths have a way of calling you back. In 2024, an unexpected opportunity arrived when Mercator reached out to ask if he would be interested in becoming an actor. For Iven, the moment felt almost like an answer to the questions he had been carrying. “At that time, I felt like ito na ‘yong calling ko.” Even he was surprised by how quickly things began to unfold. “Nagulat din ako na they offered me, like sa TV5, kung gusto ko ba.” He auditioned, got the role, and by 2025, doors started opening. Today, he balances work in real estate while steadily building his career in show business, learning to navigate the complexities of both worlds at the same time.
Despite being part of a generation often labeled as impulsive, Gen Z has repeatedly shown its commitment to authenticity and personal values. For Iven, that means staying grounded in what he believes in while continuing to grow as an actor. He shares that he is open to romantic scenes if the story requires it, but he also sets boundaries when it comes to more mature material.
“Kissing scene is fine, but like bed scenes, I don’t know. Ayoko kasi na parang malaswa tingnan.”
At the same time, he acknowledges that growth comes with time and experience. Perhaps years from now, his perspective may evolve depending on the demands of a role and how it serves the story. For now, he is focused on learning the craft, improving his skills, and finding the right opportunities that align with where he is in his journey.
If given the chance to speak to his younger self, Iven says he would offer one simple but powerful piece of advice: stop doubting yourself.
“Don’t mind other people. Huwag kang magpapadala by their judgment. Just do what you really want to do. Do what you love to do. Focus on becoming, not proving.”
For him, it is important to pursue things because he genuinely enjoys them rather than to impress others. He realized how happy it made him feel and eased the burden he had long been carrying.
And part of that drive comes from a deep fear of not giving his best. “Takot akong i-half-ass ‘yong ginagawa ko. Ayokong magsisi.” Looking back, he admits there were opportunities he missed because he hesitated or held himself back. Now, he wants to approach things more proactively. He wants to give everything he has, wherever the opportunity may come from.
“Kahit saan man yan. I want to give it my best.” Whether it is on set, working with directors, or collaborating with fellow actors during tapings, he makes a conscious effort to show up prepared and committed. There are moments when self-doubt still creeps in, but he finds reassurance in the idea that growth comes from effort and persistence.
But best of all, beyond the ambition and the pressure, Iven also reminds himself to enjoy the process. To stay present in every moment. “Hindi ‘yong parang nagra-rush ka.” Taking the time to appreciate the journey helps him stay connected to the reason he started in the first place. In an industry where actors are constantly observed, scrutinized, and evaluated, it is easy to fall into the trap of questioning your own worth. Iven admits he has experienced those moments too, when the pressure becomes overwhelming, and self-doubt begins to spiral.
What helped him bounce back was turning inward. Through spiritual healing and the support of family and friends, he slowly rebuilt his confidence and clarity.
“Nag-focus ako sa sarili ko. On what I’m becoming and not to prove to other people. Minahal ko ‘yong sarili ko. Kasi kung people-pleaser ka, hindi ka magiging authentic.”
Trying too hard to please everyone, he says, can slowly make you lose sight of who you really are. The years between 2022 and 2024 were particularly challenging for him, a time he describes as messy and uncertain. But those experiences also pushed him to confront what he truly wanted and start rebuilding his life with intention.
Today, with both his real estate career and his growing presence in entertainment, Iven says he finally feels a sense of fulfillment. For the first time in a long while, he feels like he is living life on his own terms rather than shaping it around other people’s expectations.
When asked how he hopes people will remember him, he shared that more than fame or recognition, he wants to inspire others. Beyond the looks and the work, he hopes his story encourages people to strive for something greater in their own lives.
More than ever, the year 2026 excites Iven, especially with new opportunities opening up. “Excited akong ma-achieve ‘yong nasa vision board ko.” He hopes to one day also land a lead role, continue honing his acting skills, and, as he humorously adds, “Makabenta ng properties.” Real estate, he says, will always remain a long-term passion. “Habang buhay ko siyang gagawin.” While show business may take center stage right now, real estate will never fully leave the picture. He shares that reading The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone helped him appreciate the world of sales and property even more.
In the series adaptation of the popular Filipino mystery-crime story Project Loki, Iven takes on the role of Bastien Montreal, a rookie campus police officer at Clark High who becomes entangled in the story’s layered web of secrets. His character plays a key role in helping unravel the mysteries surrounding the school, which involves hidden organizations and a shadowy criminal mastermind. “Tinutulungan ko si Loki na ma-solve ang mga cases.”
Bastien, he describes, is kindhearted and always smiling, though a little clumsy at times. The character also carries a duality in his personality, something Iven says he can personally relate to. Spending so much time portraying Bastien has even influenced him off-cam. Laughing, he admits, “Yung na-adapt ko na ‘yong pagiging clumsy niya.”
The Girl Who Never Changed: Joanna Lara’s Signature Energy
Rejection is often seen as something final. But in many cases, it is really a redirection. It can feel disheartening when the future you imagined does not unfold the way you expected, as if things are not building up the way they should. Interestingly, with more spaces today to process emotions and people both online and offline to talk things through, Gen Z often reframes rejection as something that can lead to something better. This is exactly what happened to Joanna Lara.
The multitalented rising actress first entered the scene as a member of the girl group KAIA, later part of BPOP IDOLS and HIRAYA. Despite her charm, talent, and appeal, the performing path came with challenges that slowly made her question if it was really meant for her.
Then came TV5. From singing and dancing, she shifted to acting workshops, a field she never thought she would enjoy as much. “Sobrang na-inlove po ako sa kanya. Sa process niya. How I express my emotions. So, nasabi ko na parang baka ito talaga ang para sa akin.” In that moment, something clicked, as if she had finally found the space where she could truly express herself.
And indeed, some things feel naturally aligned. Just under a year into acting, she has already taken on projects like The Chambermaid, The Magic Potion, and Project Loki. While she continues to gain attention online, especially from fans curious about her next plans, Joanna is clear about the kind of image she wants to maintain. She emphasizes that she prefers to stay within wholesome roles and does not see herself taking on overly mature or revealing content.
“Wholesome talaga ‘yong image [ko]. It’s a no-no for me. Ayaw ko talaga ng too much sexy or very revealing.”
She adds that her family remains very supportive but also traditional, shaped by a Catholic upbringing that she deeply values.
These strong family values have also helped her stay grounded through the ups and downs of the industry. Like many young performers, she has faced her share of challenges along the way.
“If I will be talking to the younger version of me, I will be saying na I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud of you that you never gave up and that you always stayed as someone who you are. Kahit na anong mangyari, hindi ka pa rin nagbago. Kahit gaano kahirap ‘yong dumating na problema sa’yo, hindi ka pa rin sumuko.”
She takes pride in her resilience, for the strength to survive those difficult moments and stay true to who she is despite everything. “Kahit ano mang dumating sa’yo, kayang-kaya mong lagpasan.”
Joanna admits that her time in the P-pop scene was both exciting and exhausting. While audiences often only see the polished performances, she explains that behind every group are long hours of training, pressure, and full commitment. “Kailangan mo talagang mag-focus. Full commitment po talaga. So, that’s what I did.” She even had to pause her studies due to the demanding schedule. “Dapat graduate na ako ng college pero I stopped.” Still, she sees these sacrifices as necessary steps in discovering her path and shaping who she is becoming.
If anything, her biggest fear was not her own limitations but the possibility of being dragged down by others.
“Siguro po yung takot na marami pong manghila sa akin pababa. Marami pong tao na sa harap mo mababait. Kaibigan ang turing sa iyo. Pero pagtalikod mo, bina-backstab ka na pala.”
Having experienced fake news and false narratives online, Joanna became more cautious about how quickly perceptions can change. In a world driven by attention and engagement, she has learned that not everything said about you reflects who you truly are. Yet despite the noise and labels thrown her way, she continues to stand firm in her identity. At her core, she remains someone who carries light energy, positivity, and a genuine warmth that people naturally feel.
As she continues to grow in her acting career, Joanna hopes for more projects, personal growth, financial stability, and the continued support of her family.
“Sa love, okay na muna ‘yan. Career muna talaga. Yun po talaga ang nilo-look forward ko. More projects to come this 2026. I’m ready for it!”
In Project Loki, she plays Rhiannon delos Reyes, a character whose presence is central to the whole story. “My character here is already dead. Hindi po talaga mabubuo ‘yong Loki kung hindi siya patay. Doon magre-revolve sa pagkamatay ng character ko ‘yong story. So, ano lang ako dito, multo ni Loki,” she shares with a smile.
A longtime fan of the Wattpad series herself, she recalls how excited she was when the adaptation was announced, and even more so when she found herself part of it. That excitement turned into gratitude, the kind that comes when preparation finally meets opportunity.
And perhaps that is what keeps Joanna going, the belief that staying ready allows dreams to meet you halfway.
The Unfolding of Iven Lim and Joanna Lara
The future indeed favors the bold. It takes a beating to accept that not everything we plan for ourselves will unfold the way we imagine and that sometimes what feels like a setback is really a shift toward something better.
For both Iven and Joanna, the journey has been about learning to let go of certainty, trusting timing, and choosing growth even when the path feels uncertain. In their own ways, they have both discovered that becoming is rarely linear and that the courage to keep showing up is often what leads them exactly where they are meant to be.
And maybe this is what Gen Zs are trying to remind us: what’s meant for you will always find you. Just take heart and trust the process.
Creative Direction & Photographed by Em Baun
Shot on location: In the Studio – Manila
Special Acknowledgement: Star Workx PH
Hair & Makeup: Jia Enciso Catu
Stylist: Laurence Obona, Foremost PH
Wardrobes: (Iven Lim) Godfrey Cereza Armodina, Thirdy Servidieu, Maison Noveda, Nard Redoble (Joanna Lara) Vandro Casiwan, Thirdy Servidieu
Shoot Assisted by: Justine Joy Ramos, Rafael Angelo Berza
Overall Coordination: Mary Jane Manglicmot | Niccole Mendoza
