How Nikki Valdez learned the ‘art of breaking up’
MANILA, Philippines — For actress-singer Nikki Valdez, there’s indeed an art to breaking up.
“Breakups don’t have to be very painful and very messy, but it takes a certain level of understanding to know why you’re doing it. And I think we’ve all been through different kinds of breakups, each with its own way of dealing with them,” she pointed out during the Star Magic Spotlight presscon for her upcoming play, “The Art of Breaking Up.”
“But I think when you say the art, it’s not what you do. It’s how you handle breaking up with that person. Kasi may mga kakilala ako, ang galing nila. Naghiwalay na sila but the respect is there.
“Although I think hindi nila agad na-reach yung level na yun, parang you had to go through so much before actually learning the art of breaking up and still being with that person,” she continued.
Adapted from George de Jesus III’s play “Kung Paano Maghiwalay,” “The Art of Breaking Up” follows the stories of different couples as they navigate the highs and lows of relationships. Blending heartfelt drama with moments of humor, the production offers an honest look at the different ways people deal with heartbreak, healing and second chances, the synopsis reads.
Given the play’s premise, Nikki was asked if she could recall a past breakup.
“Sakto lang. Haha! Di naman nanumbalik because I’m happy now. Masayang-masaya po yung puso ko ngayon. At masayang-masaya ako with my husband. Nandito siya kanina, umalis din siya. He works here (ABS-CBN). Bago siya umuwi, dumaan muna siya,” she said.
Nikki’s divorce from her Filipino-Canadian husband was finalized in 2011. They share a daughter, Olivia.
She married ABS-CBN executive Luis Garcia in 2018.
“Wala na akong ganun towards others. I think I’ve totally forgiven yung mga past breakups ko. I’ve learned the art of breaking up,” she said with a laugh.
“Kasi pwede naman eh. Pwede talaga, naghe-heal naman ang tao. There are times lang that, you know, you reminded of the past. I have my daughter from my first marriage.
“So it’s forever gonna be there. But I think I’ve matured from that. Hindi ko na kailangang magalit or ma-hurt ngayon. So, I think I’ve moved on from that. I choose to be happy. I choose to give the full love that my daughter and my husband now deserve.”
In the past, Nikki shared that she used to believe “jumping to the next relationship would be the best answer” to recover from breakups.
“Akala ko the next person na ma-meet ko will make me happy, but hindi pala,” she said.
“Now, I have to thank the pain na naranasan ko from my past relationships because andami niyang tinuro sa akin and I wouldn’t be this strong person now kung hindi ko naranasan yung mga yun. Because experience is the best teacher for me.”
Later on, she realized that recovering from a breakup involves “allowing the pain first, acknowledging it.”
“Allow your journey na maranasan mo lahat yun and then learn from it,” she reflected.
“Wala namang ibang sagot doon, ikaw lang ang makakaturo nun sa sarili mo kasi your friends, your family, can only do so much and can only advise you.
“They give unsolicited advice, but at the end of the day, ikaw pa rin talaga ang magsasabi sa sarili mo or magtuturo sa sarili mo na, ‘Tama pa ba ’tong relasyon na nandito ako or should I leave already? And if I leave, what do you do after?’”
She added that it’s something you have to teach yourself: how to pick up the pieces again.
Directed by Dudz Teraña, “The Art of Breaking Up” is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya and the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
Aside from Nikki, the cast includes Jake Cuenca, Janella Salvador, Yen Santos, Teroy Guzman, Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Ruby Ruiz,
Manalo, JC Alcantara, Anna Luna, Dingdong Bahan, Analain Salvador, Jel Tarun, Yesh Burce, Jude Hinumdum, Meann Espinosa and AJ Sison, with featured vocalists Jarren Garcia and Kolette Madelo.
The show will run from Nov. 6 to Dec. 6. Tickets are now available via TicketWorld.
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