Nikki Gil’s coming of age

MANILA, Philippines - I never imagined that at 26 I’d be given a chance to start from scratch again with everything,” says Nikki Gil. “I was thinking at 26 I should be, like, planning for marriage, or at least engaged or in a long-term relationship. Or maybe exiting showbiz and starting a more stable... whatever that is. That’s the most predictable scenario. But I never imagined that I would be handed this blank page. And it’s like the universe is saying, ‘Go. Fill it up with whatever you want.’”

Moving on from her highly publicized breakup, Nikki feels that “all the other aspects of my life also turned a page. Like this, my opportunity to share my confidence with my age with other women through Olay, there’s that. And also so many other opportunities are coming my way. I have a blank page to fill with new friendships, a new role, new endorsements. It all happened at the same time. And it’s just such an exciting plot.”

Indeed, after eight years in the industry, Nikki is proof that you don’t necessarily have to believe common perceptions about timelines and where people say you will be at a certain point, because the truth is that we have absolutely no idea. And from this uncertainty, Nikki chooses to look forward with optimism and anticipation. “Every step and misstep is a step forward to what you’re destined to make, who you’re destined to become. So I just embrace everything that comes my way, good or bad. I’m a much happier person that way.”

In this article, we tackle Nikki through the numbers and how far they have taken her as of this writing.

That 1 commercial

“You know what, I was gonna throw it back on Instagram. That was eight years ago,” Nikki says of the well-known Coca-Cola commercial that made her an instant hit as she sang through the streets. “I was a college sophomore. I was 17. It was so surreal. I didn’t expect that commercial to take me to where I’m at right now. I really just wanted to be a commercial model then. I just wanted to do those short gigs. I only get to process everything now because it’s far, far away. Back then I couldn’t really take everything in. It was so overwhelming. But looking back I can see that it was really God’s hand moving everything and setting it into place. The turn of events all happened so fast, and the opportunities that came my way were... opportunities that I didn’t deserve. Parang sa dami lang ng tao, it had to be me. And because of that one break, I’m where I’m at right now.”

Nikki’s 7 careers

“I like doing all of them, with the same amount of passion,” says Nikki of her being a singer, host, VJ, model, product endorser, and TV and theater actress. “But maybe singing would be my favorite, because singing is my first love. Oh wait, maybe theater, because in theater I get to do everything — sing, talk, dance, and act all at the same time. So theater would probably be it.”

How many boyfriends has Nikki had?

Nikki falls silent and scrunches up her face, thinking.

“Sobrang dami ba?” we ask.

“Hindi nga eh.  Hindi ko nga ma-count yung isa eh. I guess one. The other one lasted for five months and I was 18, so that doesn’t count. So technically I’ve only had one serious relationship.”

Official tally: 1.5

3 lessons from being in a relationship

“Don’t compromise your values and what you believe in. You have to have the same values with your partner, because compromising it will neither make a relationship any stronger, nor will it solve any of your issues. You have to stand on what you believe in.

“Also, love is a choice for me. A lot of people will say I have such a pragmatic view on love. But that’s the thing. As much as butterflies and flowers and chocolates are a part of love, I also know that it’s a choice. That’s why I don’t believe in the saying ‘falling out of love’ because you chose for that to happen. Why that happened is a consequence of the choices that you have made along the way. So for me love is not a feeling. It’s not the kilig, because that goes away. For me love is a decision to honor the commitment that you have made. And I think I’ve done well in that area. (Laughs.)

“And also know when to walk away.”

4 things Nikki loves about being single

“I can do as many kissing scenes as I want (laughs).”

“Bawal ba?” we ask.

“No naman. It’s just that you have to take it into consideration. And as a thespian it’s something that’s hard to evade.”

“What else do you love about being single?” we ask.

“Dating. I’m so grateful that I never fell into the ‘bitter ex’ stage, you know where you’re like ‘I hate men. They’re all the same. I’m never gonna date again.’ I just chose to believe that it’s just one mistake and not everyone’s like that. I love dating. I love getting to know people and talking to people and getting to know the different stories of their lives, whether there may be a romantic potential or not. I just like socializing and making new friends.

“I get all the time to myself, that’s a plus. And I get to splurge all for me and me alone.”

1 thing Nikki loves about being the â€˜kontrabida’

Not a stranger to kontrabida roles, Nikki currently plays Mystica in our local remake of the telenovela, Maria Mercedes. “I like it. It feels very... liberating? Is that the term? There are things that I don’t get to do in real life. I get to throw around words that I normally wouldn’t be caught dead saying. You know how sometimes there are situations where, oh, this is what I want to do in my mind, but I can’t because it’s mean. But here, I get to do it. As Mystica, I just throw whatever to the face of the protagonist or whoever I’m antagonizing. I find it very therapeutic.” (Laughs.)

What Nikki learned at 26

“This year I learned to forgive myself. I’m a perfectionist, so I’ve always been very hard on myself with work, with performing, with my personal life, with my achievements. And this year I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes. I learned not to kill myself over stupid decisions. I’ve learned to love myself more. I look at myself in the mirror and accept that, ‘You know what? You’re okay. There’s nothing wrong with you. Don’t believe whatever anyone has made you feel you are. You’re okay. You’re doing fine.’ So, that’s my big learning for this year.”

3 things Nikki never thought she’d do

“I never thought I’d travel without the ‘rents. I went to Europe early this year with a friend.

“I never thought mapapanood ko yung relationship kong magunaw on national television. I was sitting down at home last night watching a talk show. I was looking at my mom and was like, I never thought that’d happen to me (laughs). That people would be scrutinizing and drawing their conclusions and saying whatever they want about my failed relationship, a personal heartbreak of mine. I never thought that people would, you know, pagpiyestahan? I wanted to keep mum about it, but it’s part of the job, part of the package.

“I never thought I’d last this long in the industry. Because early on a lot of people would discourage me and say that, ‘You’re not gonna last long. It’s all about politics’ or whatever. ‘It’s all about knowing how to play the game.’ I mean, up until now I don’t know how to play the game, and I managed to stay in the business. So I never imagined that I would still be here after what, eight years? And do the things that I’ve done in a short span of time, which I’m very thankful for.”

2 more things that Nikki wants to do

“I want to travel by myself.

“I want live abroad for a while and study. Maybe stay in New York for a while and take little workshops and short courses on music and theater; something to add to my craft. Plus living abroad will be quite an experience.

“For now, that’s it. More than the goals, I’m really thankful and enjoying everything that I have right now.”

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