Nikki Bacolod in full bloom

Search For The Star In A Million (season one) runner-up Nikki Bacolod has released her debut album under Viva Records.

Featuring the carrier single Tell Me You Love Me, an original composition by Vehnee Saturno, who wrote Forever’s Not Enough and How Could You Say You Love Me for Sarah Geronimo and When You Find Your Voice for Rachelle Ann Go, the CD Lite entitled In Full Bloom contains five songs, all suited for Nikki.

The other tracks on Nikki’s CD Lite are Farewell (Odette Quesada), Only When I’m With You (Trina Belamide), Stay Here With Me (Peter Bertilsson/Randy Goodrum), a duet with Raymond Manalo and You Got It All (Rupert Holmes).

Known as the "Pop Honey," Nikki is happy over the release of her album. She will have a series of mall shows: SM Sucat (April 2), SM Bicutan (April 8), SM Fairview (April 15), SM Bacoor (April 22) and SM North EDSA (May 26).

She doesn’t even mind that it took her recording company several months to put together the CD. "Hindi naman po," she says when asked if she felt that her career was left behind that of Search For The Star In A Million winner Jerome Sala, who came out with his own CD ahead of hers. "I think Viva knows what is best, and when is the right time for me to launch my album."

On hindsight, Nikki says the timing was just right, because it gave her the opportunity to work on certain aspects of her performance. At least now, she is more mature and confident about her singing and her look. She now goes around town wearing makeup and fashionable clothes. However, the biggest change is the confidence she has when facing an audience. It is something that becomes obvious when you’re watching her on stage.

"I have matured as a performer. I don’t look stiff and lack emotions when singing," says Nikki, who idolizes Sarah, Rachelle Ann, Regine Velasquez, Jojo, Britney Spears and Whitney Houston.

But while she idolizes them, Nikki also works on establishing a separate and distinct identity of her own. With so many young singers out there (many of them products of singing competitions just like her), it will be to Nikki’s advantage if she can succeed in making her own mark.

Sponsored by Tomato Boutique, TugtogPinoy.com, Music Channel Magazine and 91.5 Energy FM, In Full Bloom is available at record stores nationwide.