"Doing that ad was quite easy, because at that time, Bayo's image was pretty much how I was," recalls the 21-year-old stunner. Currently playing the Zhang-Ziyi character in Newtex's spin on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon now playing on local TV stations, the conservative angel has finally grown up. "You'd think appearing in commercials is easy, but on this one I had to run on rocky ground with just ballet shoes on! It was pretty painful, but I'm not complaining," she says with a smile. Where once she unwittingly stopped drivers from coming to blows or shooting at each other, she takes a jab at maturity, ironically endorsing a product for women on the go. "I like adventure, I really wouldn't mind getting stuck at punk clubs and slamming bodies though I'm more of a sit-down person".
In fact, it was the Indiana Jones in her that landed her a spot as one of the country's instantly recognized image models. "I was 13 then, and I accompanied a friend to a VTR. Since I was there na, I thought to myself `Hey, why not?"' Ad agencies are not known to pass on a great find, and so came her first job with Ivory, sharing the spotlight with 10 other girls. For Nicole Hernandez, being a wallflower is next to impossible. "After that, offers started coming in," so much so that she barely recalls a lot of what she's done. Although
people always gawk at her, she hasn't quite taken a liking to or even felt the itch to hit the runway. "I haven't done much ramp, though, just as favors, not as something I really want to get into." Pressed as to why, she finally confesses, "I'm not comfortable with the setup, being in front of people and strutting."
She has a special fondness for television "because of the overall experience. You get to horse around, play with the camera, bond with your cast and be in locations you'd otherwise not see."
Nicole is just human, and she'll be the first to admit it. Although without exaggeration she can part massive crowds much like Moses did the with the Red Sea or halt brewing riots that almost make EDSA look like Indonesia, "I walk my black Lab, eat out with my boyfriend, eat at home, fiddle around and channel surf" Generally a homebody, you might see her out on a Saturday night, chilling and enjoying a White Russian, only if you're lucky. "I hardly even go out anymore; the scene's getting a little too stale for me. To tell you the truth, I'm kind of getting too old to be going out every single weekend." Contrary to popular myth, having a pretty face doesn't account for a dull mind. A full-time student, taking LIACOM, a double degree course at the De La Salle University, hogs most of her time. "School's always been my priority. I just take offers when my schedule allows it, otherwise you can forget it!" Recently earning a psychology degree, she's currently working on her business major. "I've been working on my thesis ...marketing two-in-one sport shorts for women. Hopefully we can test the product in bazaars and sports stores some time soon;" says Nicole enthusiastically.
Given a choice, she'd leave everything behind and vanish to a deserted beach paradise, away from the hustle, bustle and crowds in this urban jungle. "I love Cebu, that's where I want to be right now. It has everything from malls and the beach is within a drive's reach." Are the Cebuanos about to get lucky? Only time will tell.