Erik shines and soars

Proving irrevocably that he has all the goods to make it big in the biz, Erik Santos, the first grand winner in the ABS-CBN talent search Star in a Million, continues to shine and soar in his professional singing career.

Now, he is called the Prince of Pop, being the most promising young male singer to cross over from the amateur to the professional scene.

He, in fact, brought home three major awards from the Awit, the Aliw, and Star Awards for Television. The honors faze him so, he candidly admits, "I really didn’t expect I would win those trophies. To think I’ve been in the business for only eight months. But I am really very, very happy. Very, very thankful to God, my family, my Backroom and ABS-CBN families."

In a nutshell, that’s the secret of Erik’s success story. He knows his priorities and keeps them straight and he has remained grounded and humble in spite of the acclaim and accolades. Fame has had very minimal effects on his life. "The only thing that has changed is that I can no longer commute," he smiles mischievously.

It’s because the last time he rode a jeepney, he got accosted by a giddy fan who pinched his cheeks sore. "It really hurt. She was so thrilled to see me. She kept telling me I looked so handsome in person daw."

Aside from that, he rues the fact that his busy schedule now prevents him from spending as much time with his family and friends as he wants to. "But other than that, nothing much has changed," he affirms. "I’m basically the same. I still treat my family and friends in the same way. And they also treat me the same way."

He is still the same amiable, good-natured chap he was before he became a grand champion on TV. That much fans would readily attest to, because he entertains them with sincerity and fondness, even that excitable groupie who pinched his cheeks until they were red.

Erik considers himself blessed that he is able to make his fans happy with his music. Last year, he joined Ai-Ai de las Alas and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in Guess Jeans’ major production for 2004 billed as The Prince of Pop and The Comedy Concert Queen... Two Solos, One Concert at the Araneta Coliseum.

Last Valentine season, Erik joined Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez in a two-night pre-Valentine concert at the Ultra billed as Queens... On Fire. In between these major concerts were shows here and abroad.

On a trip to San Francisco last year, where he joined Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Anne Go, Mark Bautista, and Christian Bautista, on the Night of the Champions tour, Erik was able to meet up with his US-based fans.

"They were so warm," he relates. The audience’s response left him speechless. "Every number, after each high note, they were really clapping excitedly."

Which is why Erik is very excited to be going on a US tour once more. He just did a successful concert tour in the US with Vina Morales, which had performances in San Diego, Las Vegas and Seattle.

On March 17, he will be performing in Showdown of the Champions in Dubai.

Come April, he will join Pops and Regine’s Queens... On Fire concert which will have performances in seven key cities in the US: San Diego on April 1; Los Angeles on April 2; Las Vegas on April 8, San Francisco on April 9; Chicago on April 15; Atlantic City on April 17; and Washington, DC on April 23.

Erik feels a different kind of high whenever he is performing for his US fans. "Although some of them could no longer speak straight Tagalog, they are still very Filipino in terms of their warmth and their being affectionate. Nothing could beat the way they welcomed and accepted me with open arms the first time I performed for them," Erik fondly looks back.

It is for his fans that Erik dedicates his every performance. They are the reason why he constantly pushes himself to be better than his last performance. "Before going up the stage, I always remind myself that my goal is to make the audience happy," he points out. "And of course, it also helps to pray and give each performance to the Lord."

They’re the wind beneath Erik’s wings. After all, he is the boy who believes he can fly!