Nikki Co treads a path from heartthrob to versatile actor

Nikki Co is one Kapuso heartthrob, who can give his contemporaries a run for their money, acting-wise. is one Kapuso heartthrob, who can give his contemporaries a run for their money, acting-wise. He gave the rebel heir character Jameson Chan an inspired portrayal in the successful family drama, Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune.

Given the right opportunities and ample visibility, Nikki may be seen in the path that GMA versatile and character actors have successfully trodden. But he has the potential to become a leading man, too, like his Mano Po Legacy fellow actor David Licauco.

“Medyo nagiging super selfish siya (He had the tendency to become super selfish) but had a reason for it,” said Nikki about his biggest and challenging role so far in a virtual interview with The Philippine STAR. “Since his dad had wives and children, walang attention (he looked for attention). The only person whom he could get that attention, his mom, seemed to be using him for money (or financial gain).” That made Jameson, the character palatable for actors like Nikki. Veteran actress Maricel Laxa portrayed his character’s mother Valerie.

“I think he is relatable, kung may tutulong lang talaga sa kanya na feel niya na kakampi niya (he could have been nice), kaya siya naging ganun,” Nikki shared the backstory of his character. He was able to make Jameson grow on the audience with mixed feelings of loving, hating, and eventually understanding the character. Nikki enjoyed taking on the role. His Jameson had a “redeeming characteristic” when the character was put in a life-and-death situation, said Nikki. “He realized that his brothers also loved him,” added he. “Inuunahan lang niya ng galit (sa puso niya).”

“There are levels in (breathing life into) my character,” said he, who, through Jameson, was able to challenge himself and prove as to what extent he could do in acting. “Masarap umarte at mahal ko ang umarte (I enjoy and love acting).”

That passion for such a creative profession developed when Nikki joined StarStruck in 2015 but only reached the reality-artista search’s Top 18. With a one-year guaranteed contract from the Kapuso network, Nikki, as he put it, just went with the flow and had the first taste of acting on the set of Meant to Be, with Ken Chan and Barbie Forteza, also a lead star in Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune.

“Hindi ako masyadong umasa because hindi ko kasi alam yung mundo ng show business (I never had high hopes because I didn’t know the ins and outs of show business),” said he. “I just gave it a try.”

A quick rewind tells one that Nikki was a computer science student prior to StarStruck and put on hold his studies when his school and StarStruck schedules began to overlap. Since he knew the value of earning a college degree, he resumed his schooling via an online delivery, pursued a business finance course and eventually finished it.

From there, Nikki, with a sure fallback if and when acting projects become few and far between, appeared in weekday and weekend TV series. His biggest TV assignment was Mano Po Legacy, the TV adaptation of the Mano Po movie franchise.

“Ang sarap lang din na dahan-dahan tayong umangat kasi mas matamis yung pakiramdam kapag nandito na,” said Nikki of the slowly-but-surely direction his career has taken, as one may describe it. “Malaking bagay (ito) sa akin na sobrang tini-treasure ko (The opportunity to be in Mano Po Legacy is a big thing to me and I will really treasure and cherish it).”

The young actor had the opportunity to work side by side with established and award-winning actresses like Maricel.

“Ang mina-mindset ko na lang ay kailangan kong sumabay (My mindset was to keep up with her),” recalled Nikki of his acting experience. “Hinanda ko na lang ang sarili ko (I would always come prepared), hindi ko iniisip na ma-i-intimidate ako sa kanya. Kasi kapag ganun, kakabahan ka, lalong papangit yung maipapakita mo. Tita Maricel was collaborative and grabe siya magbigay ng emosyon, so talagang matutulungan ka niya sa eksena (She was all out when it came to giving emotions and she helped you in the scene).”

Although acting seems to be his bread and butter, Nikki started to invest in a condo around five years ago. “Yun ang tinatrabaho ko ngayon para ma-renovate, eventually it gets rented and I get passive income,” said he. “I’m also looking for business (opportunities) like maybe reselling.”

Nikki is grateful for having played Jameson, who got the attention of viewers. “For me, I want to become a character actor because feeling ko mas maraming opportunities for me to do different roles,” said he, who is also open to becoming a leading man if the opportunity presents itself to him. “I lean towards becoming a character actor or a versatile one.”

Aside from acting, Nikki can also host a segment like what he did in Taste Buddies. He had fun doing it because he got to sample delicious food and learn their historical background through research. Starting March 6, viewers can watch Taste Buddies before 24 Oras Weekend on GMA.

After his stint in Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune, in what TV series can viewers watch Nikki again?

“Well, we had a shoot last time with the (Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune) boys for Regal Studio Presents,” answered he. “Meron pa kaming ulit na pagsasama sa isang episode. With GMA and Sparkle, they asked me to audition for a teleserye and (I heard that) a director asked me (to audition) for another series. There are two possible projects for me. Let’s pray and hope na isa dun ay matuloy (that one of which will come to fruition).”

In no time, the chinito actor is set to play another meaty role.