A former member of Viva Entertainment’s all-female sing-and-dance group Sugar 'N Spice, Nicole Omillo admitted she never thought she would fall in love with theater. It was just last year when the 26-year-old actress starred in the stage adaptation of One More Chance where she played the role of Basha, which was originally played by Bea Alonzo on screen in the 2007 Star Cinema film of the same title. Nicole also had acting stints in TV and film in projects like Indak, More Than Blue, Di Na Muli, and Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko.

If not for the pandemic, Nicole’s theatrical debut was supposed to be in the musical production Bongga Ka ‘Day, which unfortunately did not push through in 2020. 

“2025 has been very packed. Sobrang blessed and I’m very happy kasi may mga dumarating na trabaho and of course, Liwanag sa Dilim has been taking my time kasi araw-araw talaga kami nag-re-rehearse. ’Pag wala namang rehearsal, may taping. So it’s been full,” she shared. 

Nicole reflected on her journey, which began way back in 2016. 

“I started with Viva in 2016. Before kasi, nag-a-audition lang ako, VTRs. Nag-try ako mag-Starstruck at kung saan-saan. But I got into Viva and I used to be in a girl group called Sugar and Spice. So nag-girl group ako for two years. And then nag-solo career na ako. Pinasok na nila ako sa acting workshops and in the same year, I started doing series tapos naging part na rin ako ng mga movies, pagiging kontrabida, iba-ibang role,” she recalled. “I’ve been experiencing acting for quite a while. I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I do, but theater has made me expand that thought, na puwede mo ipagsabay-sabay lahat, singing and acting and all.”

In what she considers an unexpected detour in her career, Nicole admitted she has learned a lot since making her stage debut last year. 

“Basically, I learned so much sa One More Chance bilang tao at bilang artist. Ang dami kong nakasama. A lot of us are actually part of Liwanag sa Dilim also. They really taught us how to handle our characters na hindi nadadala nung mga rehearsals,” she said. “Medyo mabigat din kasi yung One More Chance. Minsan hindi ako tumitigil umiyak. Nadadala ko talaga.”

Nicole noted that performing in front of a live audience demanded a different level of discipline. 

“Because it’s different, it’s not like TV na cut, okay na. Parang tuloy-tuloy ito eh,” she explained. “It was a three-hour show and it became muscle memory: when to hold it and when to release (emotions). Naging muscle memory siya. Until now, I’m learning to make my craft better and better everyday.”

As an artist, Nicole still has a lot of artists on her wish list of people she’d love to work with.  John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo are two artists that top her list. 

“Marami pa. But honestly,I would honestly say si John Lloyd Cruz talaga. Gusto ko talaga kahit maging younger sister or katulong, kahit ano (laughs). Also si Ms. Sarah Geronimo; she has been an inspiration to me,” she shared. 

Considering herself as a theater newbie, Nicole remains thankful for the  chance to work with many talented actors. 

“Theater-wise, nagugulat na lang ako sa mga nakakatrabaho ko dahil bago pa lang ako dito. Marami pa akong hindi kilala, marami pa akong na-e-experience na new things. So I’m just excited na lang to get to know these people. Wala akong ini-expect kung sino makakatrabaho ko. Nagugulat na lang talaga ako,” she said. 

Watch the newest original Filipino musical featuring the songs of Rico Blanco Liwanag Sa Dilim at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City. It stars Alexa Ilacad, Nicole Omillo, Khalil Ramos, CJ Navato, Vien King, Anthony Rosaldo, and Rita Daniela. Directed by Robbie Guevarra and produced by 9 Works Theatrical.  Tickets are available via ticket2me.net/LiwanagSaDilimMusical.