Nikki Gil puts romance to the test

Nikki Gil INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Singer-actress Nikki Gil said her boyfriend Billy Crawford’s four-month absence is expected to put their four-year relationship to the test.

Billy is set to leave for France Monday or Tuesday, to revive his international singing career. The Filipino-American singer lived in this European country for six years before returning home to work for ABS-CBN.

“I trust him—but not everyone around him,” Nikki told Inquirer Entertainment. “What’s important is that I have faith in him. We wouldn’t have lasted last this long if I didn’t.”

Billy, who became known in Europe for his songs “Trackin’,” “When You Think about Me,” “Never My Love,” and “Bright Lights,” will have concerts in Paris and Reunion Island.

Happy-sad

“I’m sad and happy at the same time. I will miss him but I know something good will come out of it. Thankfully, I have this,” Nikki said, referring to her new ABS-CBN drama series “Mundo man ay Magunaw,” a TV version of a ’90s movie starring Romnick Sarmenta and Sheryl Cruz. “I’m hoping it will take my mind off Billy’s absence. Fortunately, we can communicate via Skype and our cell phones.”

The series revolves around Olivia (Eula Valdez), who loses custody of her children when she is sent to prison. After her release 20 years later, she tries to rebuild her family.

Nikki plays Jennifer and Empress Shuck is Sheryl—estranged sisters who are clueless about what happened to their mother.

Jennifer, the eldest daughter, is scheming and power-hungry and is out to prove she is the rightful heir of her grandmother’s (Tessie Tomas) empire.

First-time villain

“I’ve never done a contravida role before. It’s new to me,” Nikki said. “Even in real life, my friends said they’ve never seen me in any fight. This is just what I’ve been waiting for, this rather offbeat role. I couldn’t turn my back on it, needless to say.”

Nikki said it was Billy who urged her to accept the project. “He was the only person who said this was perfect for me. I guess he was reminded of the times we had arguments and saw that I had potential to be a contravida,” she quipped.

Theater training

In 2009 Nikki graduated with a degree in English Literature at the Ateneo de Manila University. The following year, she played the character Elle Woods in the Manila production of the musical “Legally Blonde.”

“I’m thankful for that stint in theater that provided what little background I needed for acting. The training helped me a lot,” the singer-actress said. “People say you’re an effective villain only if viewers hate you. That’s what I’m aiming for.”

To prepare for Jennifer, Nikki said she reviewed the Romnick-Sheryl movie. “What experience I lack for a teleserye—I do it rarely—I should make up for in research. I watched a lot of other movies with villains that had affected me the most, and tried to imbibe what made them effective.”

Nikki added: “I try not to copy anyone. It’s really just me taking in and learning as much as I can as the show progresses. Let’s all see what will come out. I really don’t mind playing either the protagonist or the antagonist—they’re equally challenging. In terms of emotional output, they’re equally draining. Ms Eula is so lucky that, every once in a while, she gets to play the villain. She does it so well.”

Everyone’s goal

Nikki said she could relate to Jennifer. “Behind her contravida facade, Jenny is very insecure. She wants to prove that she’s worthy of her grandmother’s affirmation or acceptance. All of us who work in this industry long for affirmation. We always want to be told that we’re doing a good job, that we’re on the right track.”

(“Mundo man ay Magunaw,” codirected by Jeffrey Jeturian and Rechie del Carmen, airs afternoons starting Monday, January 30.)