EXCLUSIVE: Jose Manalo’s son Nicco says he enjoys working on the KimErald teleserye

Actor Nicco Manalo, the son of comedian-host Jose Manalo, joins the cast of Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu’s reunion teleserye titled, Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin, set to air on ABS-CBN primetime block soon.

His first time to do a major project with the Kapamilya network, Nicco said that while he was initially nervous, but now he is very excited. “’Nung nag-start kaming mag-shoot, tapos nakasama ko na lahat halos ng ka-eksena ko lagi… Totoo pala ‘yun (sinasabi nila), ‘yung parang naglalaro lang kayo sa set,” he said.

Reiterating that they have a happy set, Nicco, whose character is close to Gerald’s, described the lead actor as easy to get along with. “So walang problema na magkulitan kami sa set.”

Likewise, he also described show director Dan Villegas as collaborative. “Pinapakinggan niya ‘yung mga choices namin, gano’n, so very collaborative siya magwork. Parati namin dinidiscuss kung pa’no tatakbo ‘yung mga eksena.

“Excited ako kasi parang ang swerte ko naman mapasama sa ganitong team, na parang ang saya saya lang ng mga tao na kahit nagtatrabaho kami, kahit hanggang anong oras kami inaabot, masaya lang kami sa set,” he said

Playing the role of Olsen, the best friend of Gerald’s character Gabriel, Nicco shared that he is the more practical and realistic friend. “Si Gerald kasi ‘yung character niya, very romantic, idealistic, ganyan. Ako ‘yung taga-balik sa kanya sa lupa, ‘yung taga-sabi sa kanya na tignan natin kung ano talaga ‘yung nangyayari, hindi ‘yung kung ano ‘yung gusto mong mangyari.”

According to Nicco, his role adds the “light touch” and brings humor to the drama. “Most of the time, almost all of my scenes, I look for the humor in everything,” he said.

Given that his role is comical, did Nicco seek the advice of his father who is a known comedian?

“Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya na meron akong bagong serye pero ‘yung tungkol sa comedy, siguro halos pareho naman kami ng humor. Medyo malapit kami sa humor tapos very malapit din naman ‘yung personality namin sa isa’t isa so, hindi ko kailangan magtanong sa kanya pero feeling ko, kumbaga kung ano ‘yung kailangan ko, meron akong enough from him, nakuha ko from him, I think, as his son,” he said.