In two of Star Cinema’s past romantic–comedy flicks, Nikki has played cupid to the hottest ‘loveteams’ back then.

In 1999 Star Cinema brought “Hey Babe” to the big screen. In this movie which starred Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, Nikki played Jolina’s friend who made the latter realize who her true love is between Dominic Ochoa and Marvin Agustin when she uttered the word “chuvachuchu” (a connotation for love), although it was obvious from the beginning that she was in favor of Marvin for her friend. Because of that, the movie ended with Jolina and Marvin wrapped in each other’s arms atop a running train’s roof. 

In “Got 2 Believe,” which was shown in 2002 with Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan on the lead roles, Nikki defined “love” to an inexperienced Claudine using a single word — “Magic!” This resulted to Rico and Claudine ending the movie with a long kiss in their wedding scene that literally continued in spite of the director’s “cut!”

Aside from the tender moments of the female and male lead actors, it’s also Nikki’s manner of delivering her lines (especially the one-word tags like “chuvachuchu” and “magic”) that never fail to magnetize the viewers to the big screen.   

Seemingly a lucky charm, Star Cinema gets Nikki again to join the cast of its newest movie titled, “Now That I Have You,” which stars Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz and will be shown on Aug. 11. 
Nikki finds herself playing cupid again in this film except that she has evolved into a modern one. Her character can be best described as a living ‘self-help book on dating do’s and don’ts’ who knows exactly how to deal with men.

“In the movie, I play Stefi the best friend of Bea. I’m her adviser when it comes to dating men and relationships because my character is a very liberated woman. Ako ang gumawa ng paraan para makilala ni Bea si John Lloyd,” shares Nikki. 

While Nikki knows John Lloyd well enough for they’ve worked together in the now defunct ABS-CBN teen-oriented show, “Tabing Ilog,” and both share the same handler in the person of Neneth Roxas, this is the first time that Nikki has worked with Bea whom she describes as, “a very quiet girl. But while shooting the movie we got to know each other well and our friendship developed.”

Portraying the role of Stefi required Nikki to don short, revealing frocks in pink hues and no pants for her in the entirety of this film.

“Stefi is so close to my real personality because we both like to dress up and I love the color pink so much. But then again, ‘liberated’ is a very broad word.  You’ll never see me go after a man kahit type na type ko pa siya unlike Stefi who could bring home a guy right after meeting him in a bar. On this aspect, call me conservative kasi gusto ko pa rin yung ako ang hinahabol,” admits Nikki.

Asked if she’d ever consider a possible kissing scene in the future, Nikki was quick to say yes if it were the likes of Piolo Pascual and Aga Muhlach that she gets to offer lip service to. When Troy Montero’s name was included in the list, Nikki quipped, “Ok lang because work is work.”

Nikki’s seven years in showbusiness have been good to her for there were always projects not only available, but tailor-made for her. She appears regularly on ABS–CBN via “Ok Fine Whatever” every Monday and “Ang Tanging Ina” on Sundays. Of course she misses singing, which, she still considers her greatest love but with all the opportunities that the field of acting is opening for her, Nikki couldn’t feel anything but thankful.

Others may see Nikki’s typecast on supporting roles but playing support, she says, is an honor for her especially if she gets to play a character that’s close to her real personality. 

“I’m comfortable with what I’m doing. Roles similar to those portrayed by Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts and Drew Barrymore are very ok with me. I like anything that’s light because that’s the real me,” ends Nikki.