Images: Instagram/@nikkivaldez_
Nikki Valdez took a trip down memory lane as she celebrated her 24th year in the showbiz industry, her career having started with ABS-CBN’s “Star Circle Quest.”
To mark the special day, the actress-singer shared with fans her first-ever “Star Circle” 1997 calendar that shows her schedule as a young star back then, including press conferences and what appears to be an “ASAP” appearance.
“Today, another milestone happens in my career as I celebrate 24 years in showbizness!!!! Wow wow wow, 24 years!!!” Valdez posted on Instagram on March 9.
“Yung picture na ito was part of ‘Star Circle’ Batch 4’s press kit launch. Di pa uso social media nun kaya lahat hard copy,” Valdez shared, referring to the photo of her young self included in the post.
(This picture was part of the “Star Circle” Batch 4’s press kit launch. Social media was not around back then, so everything was hard copy.)
“Ang sarap balikan ang lahat ng saya, hirap at sakripisyo bago makapagcelebrate ng araw na ito — ang halos araw-araw na pagbiyahe sakay ang bus, jeep at taxi para makarating ng [ABS-CBN] para sa training, pupunta ng Hotel Rembrandt para magworkshop at mga locations ng taping at shooting kasi wala pa naman ako kotse noon,” Valdez recalled.
(It is so nice to reminisce on all the joys, struggles and sacrifices before I can celebrate this day — my almost-every-day commute riding the bus, jeep and taxi to get to ABS-CBN for training, going to Hotel Rembrandt for workshops and to other locations for taping and shooting because I did not have a car back then.)
As she looked back at the joys and struggles of her early days as an entertainer, Valdez also expressed her gratitude to all those who had helped her.
“Sa mga taong nagpahiram ng pagkarami raming damit para sa pictorial AND sa longtime friend namin na may parlor para sa paghot oil ng buhok ko para daw maganda ako sa launching at pictorial namin kasi di pa naman uso ang mga sponsor noon,” Valdez said.
(To the people who lent me so many clothes for my pictorials and to our longtime friend who had a parlor, who gave me hot oil treatments so that I would look beautiful at the launching of our pictorial, as sponsors were not common back then.)
“Napakaramiiiiing alaala na habambuhay ko dadalhin sa puso ko hangga’t ako’y nabubuhay at may trabaho (There are so many memories that I will forever hold in my heart as long as I am alive and have work),” she stressed.
Despite her success, Valdez disclosed that being an actress was never her dream as a child, as seen in an Instagram post yesterday, March 10.
“I was always insecure, intimidated and had fear of rejection but fate went the other direction and God had the best plans for me. Here I am now [24] years later… Was it easy? No. There are still some struggles to this day. Was it worth it? Definitely! I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she stressed.
“I am beyond blessed to have a job that continues to sustain me and my family and a company that has continued to love and take care of me and people who have always been there no matter what. I am in my happy place and have no plans of going elsewhere,” she added.
Among Valdez’s batchmates from “Star Circle” in 1997 were Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa and Dominic Ochoa.
Also among the “Star Circle” Batch 4 stars was Dimples Romana, who also took to social media on March 9 to celebrate her likewise 24th year in show biz. /ra
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