Nikki Gil gives local composers a chance to shine via the inclusion of their original songs in ‘Somebody To Love.’

Singer-actress Nikki Gil is far from gloating over the reported demise of “SOP Fully Charged,” the Sunday variety show that goes head on with “ASAP XV” which she co-hosts.

“It’s sad but I’m sure they have other plans. Kami namang mga artista, we’re not really bothered sa [so-called] network wars. Baka meron lang silang ibang strategy o plano,” she said in an interview held at Discovery Suites on February 25.

Nikki added that as far as she and her co-hosts on “ASAP” are concerned, their having remained in the game, so to speak, is a product of team effort.

It is recalled that “SOP” has been on air for 13 years. It underwent major changes last year but even so, its ratings continued to decline. The show will be reformatted and retitled “Party Pilipinas.”

Meanwhile, Nikki had just launched her latest CD titled “Somebody To Love” under PolyEast Records. Containing an all-original lineup, Nikki describes it as “a brave effort” at a time when remakes rule the OPM scene.

“We want to give our talented composers a chance to shine with their original songs,” she explained of the concept.

Her favorite tracks in the albums are “Somebody To Love,” the carrier single that’s written by her sister and given a piano-string arrangement; “”You Are My Life,” which was written by and sung as a duet with her boyfriend Billy Crawford; “Kung Wala Ka,” a remake of Hale’s hit song; “Don’t Break My Heart,” her most R&B song to date; and “”I Can Only Imagine,” an inspirational tune which closes the album.

The singer said that her latest output departs slightly from the sound of her previous albums in that many of the songs are arranged more simply so that each of the instruments used are heard distinctly, including her voice.

“The approach we took reflects where I am right now in both my personal life and career. The things that I have been waiting for are starting to happen now. I’m reaping the fruits of my labor.”

She pertains to her multi-media breadth nowadays. Aside from the album, Nikki has a forthcoming movie with Marvin Agustin titled “The Red Shoes.” On TV, Nikki will soon be seen on ABS-CBN’s “Agimat.”

By June, Nikki will star in the theatrical adaptation of the hit comedy movie, “Legally Blonde.”

“Alam naman ng lahat na ang pagaartista ay parang emotional rollercoaster [ride]. Sometimes you’re extremely busy, tapos minsan naman nakapahinga ka. Nagkataon lang na sabay-sabay nag-e-erupt [ang mga projects ko],” she said.

Or is she just making hay to save up for her marriage to Billy?

“No, marriage is farthest from our minds right now! It’s just that sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, I maximize the opportunities that come my way. Not everyone is blessed to have projects.”

“Somebody To Love” boasts of songs written by David Pomeranz, Marcus Davis, Wency Cornejo, Arni Mendaros and PolyEast’s Chito Ilagan. The other titles are “I Will Be Loving You,” “Magbabalik Ka Pa Ba,” “Time And Again,” “Last Love,” “I’ll Be Yours” and “Bawat Hakbang.”

To promote the CD, Nikki holds a mall tour at Robinsons Manila on March 12, Robinsons Metroeast on March 13, Robinsons Imus on March 14, Robinsons Galleria on March 26, Robinsons Lipa on April 9, Robinson Pampanga on April 10 and Robinson Sta. Rosa on April 11.