The first things we loved about Nikko Natividad were his good looks, charming wit and dance moves. Until he stepped inside the Pinoy Big Brother house and bared the still unknown pieces of his life story, we learned that there’s so much more to him than his confident demeanor. 

Before he became a Hashtags member on It’s Showtime and eventually a PBB Lucky Season 7.  housemate, Nikko had colorful job experiences. He worked as a waiter slash dishwasher prior to joining It’s Showtime’s “Gandang Lalake, Kumakareer” segment, where he was practically discovered in 2014.

In high school, Nikko earned a minuscule amount from washing jeepneys. He would get fifteen pesos per vehicle. Besides his jobs in the restaurant, he also worked as a wedding coordinator. 

Nikko also tried his luck abroad. He worked as a florist in Fujairah. Although he was honest with his Filipino co-workers, Nikko told his foreign boss that he’s a professional florist in the Philippines. The good thing was his kababayans helped him learn. “Pagdating ko doon, sabi nila, ‘Gumawa ka na.’ Tito Boy, hindi ako makagawa kasi pati gunting hindi ako marunong humawak. Pero ‘yung mga Pilipino kinausap ko na tulungan ako kasi ayaw ko pong umuwi.” 

As a child, Nikko believed working abroad is the answer to every financial worry. But he realized not every OFW ends up with a good fortune. “Ang mindset ko noon ‘pag nasa abroad ka, akala ko yayaman ka, eh. Maliit lang salary ko at saka hindi porke’t nag-aabroad ka, eh masarap na ang buhay. Hindi lahat sineswerte.” 

Not that he was carrying the family’s financial burden, Nikko was simply determined to build his own success. “Hindi naman po talaga ako breadwinner pero lumaki kasi akong independent. Ayaw kong humihingi sa pamilya ko. Gusto kong kumita ng sarili kong pera,” shared Nikko.  He just wanted to live a good life and fulfil his dreams like buying his own car.