Nikki GIl (MNS Photo)
Nikki Gil, who started her career as a singer, is grateful that audiences have also accepted her as an actress.
Gil is part of the upcoming series “Hawak Kamay” with Iza Calzado and Piolo Pascual.
“Siyempre nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi ko naman talaga pinangarap ‘yon, hindi ko siya goal kasi nag-umpisa naman ako as a singer,” she said of her acting career.
“But para mapabilang at makatrabaho ko sila ay sobrang malaking karangalan and I’m very happy to be given a chance to learn also from great artists,” said Gil, who won the Best Single Performance by an Actress award at the 2013 Star Awards for Television for her performance in the “Ilog” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
In the new series, Gil plays the role of Pascual’s girlfriend.
“Nagtrabaho siya sa cruise ship at nung medyo lost si Gin (Pascual) at ‘di niya alam ang gagawin niya sa life niya, nandoon ako, na-witness ko ang struggle na ‘yon,” she said of her role in the soap.
Gil said she feels “blessed and privileged” to be given another soap, after last year’s “Maria Mercedes” and “Apoy sa Dagat.
“I feel very blessed and privileged to be given a chance to work again. And, of course, it’s an honor to work with Papa P (Pascual) and Iza and, of course, the kids. I mean for this talagang kinuha nila only the best,” she said, referring to child stars Andrea Brillantes, Xyriel Manabat and Zaijian Jaranilla.
Asked if she’s hoping to get more awards as an actress, Gil replied: “Ako naman ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko. ini-enjoy ko lang siya. I’m just passionate about it. If I happen to get recognition along the way, bonus na lang ‘yon, hindi siya ang main goal. Ang main goal ko dito ay maibahagi ang maraming kwento ng ating mga Kapamilya sa pamamagitan ng pag-arte.”
Apart from her career, Gil also mentioned that she’s also happy with her love life with her rumored non-showbiz boyfriend.
“Kapag gusto magagawan ng paraan ‘yan, kapag gusto mahahanapan ng oras,” she said about juggling her work and personal life.
“I’m very happy with where I’m at. I try to keep it as private as I can, but yeah I’m enjoying myself, I’m OK and I’m happy,” she added.
Asked if she is now officially in a relationship, the singer-actress replied: “Saka na natin pag-usapan ang mga ganyang bagay. Basta for now, I’m dating and I’m happy. I guess we’re exclusively dating if you will.”
Gil stressed that she has healed from her past relationship with singer-host Billy Crawford.
“I can only really say so much. I really appreciate those who are concerned pero nakaisang taon na din tayo, in fairness. So siguro naman that’s enough time for me to have healed. Okay na ‘yon. Kapag iniisip ko nga ang tagal na din, ang layo na. At ganun talaga ang buhay, you move on from things like this and it will feel like it never happened. Sometimes you know that’s the grace of God in all of this,” she mused. (MNS)