Nikki Gil sees acting award as ‘reward’ after recent heartbreak

MANILA, Philippines – “Sabi ni Lord, ‘Sakit? Ito ang reward’.”

This is how Nikki Gil described how she felt when she won the Best Single Performance by an Actress award at the 27th Star Awards for Television held at the AFP Theater in Quezon City on Sunday, November 24.

The Kapamilya actress won the award for her performance in the “Ilog” episode of ABS-CBN’s drama anthology show “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

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But her recent victory, fresh on the heels of her breakup with fellow ABS-CBN star Billy Crawford, isn’t enough to make her believe in the showbiz adage that those who are unlucky in love are lucky in their career.

“Naniniwala ako sa kasabihang hard work pays off. And if you are faithful in the little things, God will bless you in bigger things,” Nikki said.

Asked how she is right now, the 26-year-old actress said: “Masaya ako. Very busy and very thankful sa lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ko.”

She added, “Back to normal. Business as usual.”

‘Wait na muna’

Still, Nikki admits she hasn’t talked to Billy yet since the breakup. She also doesn’t see herself working with the actor-TV host in a project in the near future.

“Hindi ako ganung klaseng tao,” Nikki said. “I want to be real, I want to be very honest syempre sa press at saka sa mga sumusunod sa career ko.”

“Parang hindi naman po necessary. Pwede naman pong hindi,” the “Maria Mercedes” star said.

Months after her split with Billy, Nikki said love still isn’t a priority in her life although she’s not closing her doors on it if and when it comes.

“Huwag na muna, wait na muna,” Nikki said when asked about her love life. “Pero syempre, hindi ko naman kinokontra.

She further said, “Pag dumating, andyan and I will embrace it. Pero hindi ko siya hinahanap sa ngayon.”

“Marami namang ibang biyaya at distractions na binibigay si Lord.”

Bitten by the bug

Among these distractions is her role as the antagonist of the ABS-CBN primetime soap opera “Maria Mercedes.” Nikki said she’s been “bitten by the teleserye bug,” now that she’s more comfortable doing kontrabida roles on television.

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“Kung ano kasi yung ibigay talaga sa akin, nae-enjoy ko naman yung minsan kontrabida, minsan ikaw yung pinaiiyak,” she said. “Para sa isang aktres, welcome yung ganung variety.”

Nikki has also learned to accept that bashers are part of the job when doing a kontrabida role—or any role—for television.

“Kasama naman 'yun sa trabaho, wala akong magagawa. Someone has to do the dirty job,” she said.