Nikki Gil admits to having a happy love life: ‘I'm exclusively dating’

Busy preparing for her new series Hawak Kamay and a stage play that starts in August, Nikki Gil definitely has a full plate this year. “I don't know how I'll balance my schedule (laughs). Pikit mata, dasal kay Lord hindi ko alam. Nagkakasakit na nga ako eh. You know it's work, I can't complain so it's good that there's so many things happening all at the same time. The play The Last Five Years is [from] August 9 to 31. We started rehearsals mid-June. I'm playing Cathy Hyatt, it's about the last five years of a couple. The girl tells it from the end paatras, the boy tells it from the beginning to the end so we only meet at one point,” she shared.

After her standout role in Maria Mercedes, Nikki said she feels honored to be given a project with the Kapamilya network's major stars in Hawak Kamay. “Siyempre I feel very blessed and very privileged to have been given the chance to work again at hindi ganun kalayo yung agwat. Of course it's an honor to work with Iza (Calzado) and Papa P (Piolo Pascual) and of course the kids for this soap, talagang kinuha nila only the best. Siyempre napakalaking karangalan na makatrabaho ko sila. Yung role ko dito medyo malayo, malayong malayo sa dati. Magkaibang mundo talaga sila sa Maria Mercedes. Dito I play Piolo's girlfriend Meann, siya ay nagtrabaho sa cruise ship at nung mga panahon na medyo lost si Jin, hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya sa life niya, andun ako. So na-witness ko yun,” she explained.

Even though she is earning praises for her recent acting projects, Nikki said she is not gunning for an award. “Siyempre nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi ko naman talaga pinangarap yun, hindi ko naman siya talaga ginawang goal kasi nag-umpisa naman talaga ako bilang singer but para mapabilang at makatrabaho ko nga sila, sobrang malaking karangalan and I'm very, very happy to be given this chance to learn also from these great artists. Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko, ini-enjoy ko lang siya. I'm just very passionate about it. If I happen to get recognition along the way bonus na lang yun. Hindi siya yung main goal. Ang main goal ko talaga is maibahagi ang kuwento ng marami nating mga kapamilya sa pamamagitan ng pag-arte,” she said.

In Hawak Kamay, Nikki plays the role of Piolo Pascual's girlfriend. The 26-year-old admitted she especially enjoyed taping their kissing scenes in the show. “On the first day siyempre na-stress ako di ba (laughs). Pero eh Papa P naman yan eh, sobrang professional, he made me feel very comfortable and so hindi naman siya naging struggle. It was an enjoyable pa nga na experience dahil napakabango ni Papa P (laughs),” she recalled.

Nikki also has another thing to be happy about lately. The singer-actress said she has definitely moved on from her breakup with Billy Crawford and has been steadily dating a non-showbiz guy. She said being busy in showbiz is not an excuse to invest time in a blossoming relationship. “Pag gusto, magagawan ng paraan yan (laughs). Pag gusto, mahahanapan ng oras. It's happening. I'm very happy with where I'm at. I try to keep it as private as I can but I'm enjoying myself. I'm okay. I'm very happy,” she admitted.

When asked if they are already a couple, Nikki said she will announce it when it is official. “Tsaka na natin pag-usapan yung mga ganyang bagay. Basta for now I'm dating and I'm happy. Okay I guess I'm exclusively dating if you will. But that's as far (laughs),” she added.