"Kaya ko ba ito? Kontrabida? I've never done it before and it's something new."

Nikki Gil had misgivings when the role of Jennifer La Peña in ABS-CBN's upcoming afternoon soap, Mundo Man ay Magunaw, landed on her lap.

She knew that accepting the character of a villain would compel her to be someone she has never been known as—a mean girl.

"Even in real life, my friends can attest to the fact that they've never seen me in any, kumbaga, catfight or whatever," Nikki says with a chuckle.

"But I realized that it's what I've been waiting for, it's what I've always wanted to do—things that are, mga roles na medyo, offbeat.

"Siyempre, hindi pinalalagpas ang mga ganyang pagkakataon."

Nikki is not about to back down from this challenge.

"Ako nga, sa tingin ko pa, you are only an effective kontrabida kapag talagang kinamuhian ka ng mga tao.

"So, yun ang pinagdadasal ko na mangyari—kamuhian ako ng mga tao!" says Nikki.

Apart from feeling blessed and privileged that she gets to work with seasoned actors Eula Valdes, Tessie Tomas, Sylvia Sanchez, Pinky Amador, and Allan Paule, the 24-year-old artist is determined to get what she can out of the experience.

PREPARING FOR HER ROLE. At the show's grand press conference last night, January 18, 2012, held at ABS-CBN Network's Dolphy Theatre, Nikki relayed how she prepares for her role.

The clever actress/video jockey/singer said she did research work.

"Research na lang because the sensation is very new, the sensation is very raw.

"Iba rin yung dating, iba rin yung nailalabas.

"Siguro kanya-kanyang ano na lang, diskarte, dahil yun na nga, I've never really experienced going up to someone and being, forgive the word, a bitch to a person."