Nikki Valdez on winning 1st acting trophy

Nikki Valdez when she received her first acting award from the Famas

Learn how to wait; and while waiting, just do your best,” declared Nikki Valdez, who finally received her first acting award—a best supporting actress trophy from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (Famas)—26 years after she first joined show business.

“Success is a combination of many things. Hardship and luck and, of course, the right timing are part of this. To achieve success is not easy. There will definitely be struggles. You will have to pass through rocky roads. But once you’ve passed them, you will feel triumphant,” said Nikki, who won the said award for her performance in Nuel Naval’s drama “Family Matters.”

“You’re allowed to feel tired, sometimes, but don’t ever think of quitting. Have faith—this will take you places,” said Nikki in an interview days after accepting her trophy at the 71st Famas awards show held at Manila Hotel.

More awards

Valdez (center) with the cast of “Family Matters”

“Family Matters” also won best picture, best editing and best actor for Noel Trinidad.

While Nikki said awards “shouldn’t define the kind of work that you have done or have contributed to the industry that you’re in, to receive one is really something. It means people are recognizing this particular contribution of yours. You are just one of so many artists nominated for this category. To win over all of them is something big for me.”

Timing is also important, she pointed out. “I got a lot of comments saying, ‘It’s your time,’ while others said, ‘This is long overdue.’ I don’t quite understand why they are saying those things, but for me, it meant that I did something right, that it’s really for me. It might have taken longer, but it finally happened. The best time is always His time. We can pray for so many things, but if it’s not for us, then He will not give it. I guess God’s reaction was, ‘OK, I’ve seen what you do, so it’s about time.’”

She realized that there were “a lot of people who were genuinely happy for me. This has definitely given me a boost. Now, I want to keep doing more in order to entertain more people. This is not for them to compliment me, but for them to see that one day, this can also happen to them.”

For her daughter

Nikki Valdez when she received her first acting award from the Famas

Nikki dedicated her award to her daughter, Olivia. “Just like what the title of our movie suggests, ‘Family truly matters.’ Olivia, as well as the other members of my family, are the reasons I work so hard,” she told Inquirer Entertainment. “It’s not easy to raise teenagers, especially because they can be very sensitive. My priority is to provide what I think is best for her. I’m at this point in my life where I want nothing for myself anymore. I’m happy when she’s happy,” she pointed out.

Nikki, who is married to ABS-CBN sales executive Luis Garcia, added: “Every single day, we are made to choose to go on and be happy. The key to being truly happy is being grateful for what you have. We may not always get what we want, but you have to choose to just look at the bright side of life. It’s true that sometimes you have to experience something unpleasant in order to discover what you are truly made of.”

Always passionate

Nikki, at 44, said she used to be someone who was afraid of failure and rejection. “I obviously have insecurities. I didn’t find myself pretty or talented enough to be recognized. I’ve learned to accept this about myself. But you see, 26 years in this industry is a long time. Some talents only last for five years. What I know is that I’m always passionate about what I do. I never take roles offered to me for granted. If they offer the project to me, it means they thought of me, it means they think I deserve to play that role.”

At the moment, Nikki is taping for a TV show that she isn’t allowed to reveal just yet, but which is scheduled to be launched later this year.