Nikki: I learned to love myself first

MANILA, Philippines - “What was the most important thing you learned about yourself in the last five years?”

This is the c’mon blurb/question for the hit musical play by Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years, to be staged by 9Works Theatrical which is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The company is headed by executive producer and marketing manager Santi Santamaria.

The demanding two-actor play, sung through and directed by Robbie Guevara, goes onstage at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City during weekends from Aug. 9 to 31 (for  details, check out www.9workstheatrical.com). At a recent press conference at the Palm Grove, Rockwell Center, it was announced that it stars Nikki Gil as Cathy and Joaquin Valdes as Jamie.

The Last Five Years is an affecting, bittersweet story, told in an unconventional manner, about a relationship which lasts five years. By coincidence, lead star Nikki had ended her five-year relationship with Billy Crawford last year and that is why, understandably, she was the cynosure of all eyes in the press conference.

Life imitating art?

“This is the perfect role for you,” media man Mario Dumaual told Nikki, eliciting a burst of collective laughter. And then he threw back the question at her: “What was the most important thing you learned about yourself in the last five years?”

After catching her breath, the singer- actress replied that “I can be a very giving person. I also learned how much you can handle yourself emotionally, and also to love yourself first.”

Earlier, before the open forum, Santi was recounting to media friends the hectic schedule of Nikki: Day one, she is taping at the studio. Day two, she is rehearsing for the play. Day three, etc. So I ventured to ask her: “With your busy schedule, do you have time for a new love?”

“My God,” she exclaimed and then replied jovially, “’Pag gusto, may paraan (if there’s a will, there’s a way). I go out with friends and have time to unwind.”

And will she use the Method in attacking the role of Cathy?

“Robbie does not want me to refer too much to my personal experience,” Nikki said. “I don’t want to see it as acting. The material is very relatable. It doesn’t take much effort to switch to Cathy.”

When Santi and Robbie approached her for the role, she went something like really? Now? Maybe 10 years from now…! “We had other people in mind,” said Robbie. “But we wanted to challenge Nikki more. What happened personally was also something we considered.”

The play is sung-through, with some humor and some heavy moments. Performing in it “needs a certain skill… acting, singing, the music,” observed Santi. “It’s different from what Nikki has done. Many actors in English want to do it.”