Melissa Ricks admits she was nervous working with Coco Martin for the first time

Rhea Manila Santos

<img src='' alt='011312-melissa_main.jpg' width='305' align='left' border='0' height='290'>Years after entering showbiz via the Kapamilya talent reality search Star Circle Quest, Melissa Ricks finally shed her teenybopper image and showed that she was ready to take on more mature roles when she starred in the primetime series Nasaan Ka Elisa. As her current series comes to an end, the 22-year-old actress admits she is ready to move on and tackle another challenging role in the upcoming series Walang Hanggan wherein she will be playing a darker character. Melissa also admits she was also looking forward to do the project because it would give her the chance to work with Coco Martin. “Sobrang excited ako. This role na ibinigay sa akin after Nasaan Ka Elisa, it’s another level up. I’ll be working with maraming magagaling na artista especially si Coco. Nung una kinakabahan ako na ka-eksena ko sa Coco kasi super galing niya talaga and all throughout nung mga eksena namin, he guides me, tinuturuan niya ako, marami akong natututunan sa kanya and I think as time goes on, marami akong matututunan sa kanilang lahat. Kasi nagsisimula pa lang kami eh and I think magugustuhan ng tao lahat ng ginagawa naming sa Walang Hanggan. So sana suportahan nila. Sana walang hanggan rin ang suporta nila dun,” she relates. Melissa says that she would be ready if ever any issues would arise linking her to Coco since they are co-stars. “Baka naman magalit sa akin si Julia niyan (laughs). Naku hindi ko alam. Coco is really nice and he’s very concentrated sa work niya, pinagbubutihan niya talaga. Lahat ng oras niya binibigay niya sa trabaho niya and that’s why he’s such a good actor pero I think hindi naman siguro.” The actress has high admiration for the indie-turned-mainstream actor who has already won numerous accolades for his role in shows like Tayong Dalawa, Kung Tayo’s Magkakalayo and Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. “He’s one of the best actors of this generation. Ang daming niyang awards, ang dami niyang role na ang hirap gawin. He plays dual roles, he’s played almost every role that you can think of. He’s very good so I hope na marami akong makuha sa kanya, matutunan sa kanya kasi not everybody gets to work with Coco and I was given the chance.” As her hit series Nasaan Ka Elisa comes to an end tonight, January 13, Melissa says she will always be thankful for getting the part in the series which first started airing in September last year. “Nasaan Ka Elisa is a big blessing. It was a chance to reinvent myself and to show people actress ako. Gusto ko magpasalamat sa lahat ng sumuporta sa show. Medyo we had a rough start kasi ibang kuwento talaga pero as the story went on maraming kumapit, maraming sumubaybay and yung ratings namin maganda kaya sobrang thankful talaga ako. Sa timeslot na yun it’s doing very, very well and hanggang magtapos kami sana pataas ng pataas ang ratings namin and malalaman niyo kung sino ba talaga ang mawawala, kung sino ba ang magpapaalam. Ang huling araw namin talagang mapapaiyak talaga kayo.”

The Walang Hanggan actress admits she thinks her co-star is one of the best actors in showbiz today.

Melissa Ricks admits she was nervous working with Coco Martin for the first time | PUSH.COM.PH