Nikki Valdez and Anna Luna portray lesbian lovers in ‘The Art of Breaking Up’

Nikki Valdez and Anna Luna are taking on the roles of a lesbian couple navigating the end of their relationship in The Art of Breaking Up. 

Speaking with PUSH ABS-CBN during their rehearsals, the actresses shared how they welcomed the opportunity to work together on the production.  

“Uy, loveteam!” Anna candidly remarked, drawing laughter from Nikki who said: “Happy rin kami.”  

Nikki recalled how they immediately reached out to each other after learning they would be working together on the play. 

“When we found out na we’re going to do this together, nag-message kami [sa isa’t isa] na ‘I’m glad that it’s you.’ Kasi we’ve worked together already…Nagkaroon na rin kami ng bonding ni Anna. I told her na ‘I think, kung hindi ikaw ‘yung ka-eksena ko, baka mahirapan din ako.'” 

In the production, Nikki plays Lou (also played by Janella Salvador), while Anna portrays Kat. Together, their characters face the difficult process of letting go of a relationship they once shared. 

For the two actresses, their ease in working together also helps them establish the chemistry needed to bring Lou and Kat’s relationship to life onstage. 

“It was really magaan…meron talaga kaming chemistry, kahit off stage,” Nikki shared. 

“Magaan siya dahil magkakilala kami pero mabigat ‘yung pyesa so balanse,” Kat added.  

Beyond portraying a couple going through a breakup, Nikki and Anna hope audiences will recognize the different ways people experience separation and the lessons that can come from it.  

“‘Yung journey ng paghihiwalay. Kapag nanuod kayo, makikita ninyo na maraming klase ng paghihiwalay,” Anna said. 

Nikki added that the production also explores how people can approach breakups differently, depending on their circumstances and level of maturity. 

“And there really actually is an art in breaking up. I think, ‘yun ‘yung magiging take-away ng audience namin. Makikita nila na may mga paraan ng paghihiwalay na ‘Ah, pwede palang gano’on,” she said.  

“Sobrang marami silang mapupulot…I think more on the maturity of both people involved in the relationship. Makikita [rin] nila na ‘Ah, merong mga immature na nagb-break-up’ pero eventually, they’ll realize that maybe the two people involved will really have to go through that journey.” 

Now happily married to their respective husbands, Nikki and Anna also shared the advice they would give their younger selves about love and relationships.  

For Anna, the most important reminder is to never lose sight of one’s own worth while being in a relationship. 

“Always choose yourself,” she said. 

Nikki, meanwhile, reminded those going through heartbreak that it is okay to take time to heal, as long as they do not allow themselves to remain stuck in the pain. 

“It’s alright to be broken for a while pero wag tayong mag-stay doon. Eventually, you will know why those things had to happen in a relationship and why you had to go through them,” she said. 

The Art of Breaking Up is based on George de Jesus III’s Kung Paano Maghiwalay and is directed by Dudz Teraña.  

A collaboration between ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya and PETA, it runs from November 6 to December 6, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Tickets are still available through TicketWorld.