An acid test for Nikki

MANILA, Philippines - While she can wax lyrical and engage her audience in kilometric talk for hours on end, Nikki Gil admits she still has some polishing to do in the acting department. Yet she displays none of the signs of insecurity or intimidation as she slips into a role and pits talents with veterans. She, too, won’t pass up the chance to star with the likes of Maricel Soriano and Cherry Pie Picache in one show the way she did on ABS-CBN’s latest primetime drama/suspense series Florinda, which was canned for a year and a half to give way to Maricel’s other starrer T2.

“It’s an honor to be working with them. Marinig ko pa lang ang name ni Maricel Soriano, kahit siguro passerby lang ako, tatanggapin ko talaga yun,” Nikki says.

But Nikki got more than she wished for. She plays the timid and introvert Mara, Cherry Pie’s daughter. Nikki says it’s her biggest acting break so far.

Thus, aside from the acting workshops she took before embarking on the role, Nikki knows she must always be ready every time she comes to the set.

“I make sure I have studied my lines before the camera starts rolling which is something I don’t normally do so I can act naturally. But since we don’t have the time to experiment, I just do what is required,” Nikki shares.

Besides, she cannot afford to make a lot of boo boos as soon as the director shouts “action!” She knows Maricel does not go beyond Take One unless their director, Rahyan Carlos, requests for a more dramatic shot. That’s why Nikki acted out her part without reservation.

Does she think playing Mara put her acting to the test?

“Only because Tita Marya (Maricel) is part of it that’s why I consider it an acid test. Para ka makipagsabayan sa mga experienced, it is like ‘this is it.’ Definitely, madami pa ko kakaining kanin but I’m confident that I have given my best,” she replies.

Nikki also values all the acting pointers she has learned from the Diamond Star. Now, she knows how to position herself in perfect angle when in front of the cameras and other things that make her an effective actress.

And though singing and hosting are Nikki’s forte, acting gives her a different kind of thrill.

“I really enjoy the times on the set. Iba yung adrenaline whenever I think kung maitatawid ko ba yung eksena or makakaiyak ba ’ko. Especially when I get good feedback I’m all the more inspired to do well na pwede pala ’ko maging actress,” she relates.

Florinda, which will air starting tonight after Dahil May Isang Ikaw, is the third installment of Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection. It also stars Roxanne Guinoo, Jay Manalo, William Martinez, Zanjoe Marudo, Carla Martinez and Aaron Junatas.

After Florinda, would it be more easier for Nikki to act alongside other stars?

“I don’t think it will ever be easy. It will always be challenging especially when you are given different roles but I think I’m more confident because I have learned a lot even just by being with them on the set (of Florinda),” she replies.