Erik: His cup runneth over

Determination alone sometimes isn’t enough to realize a dream. A little prodding from someone greatly helps, like Erik Santos’ aunt, Tia Vi. She tirelessly accompanied the then four-year-old would-be singer in every singing contest there is. Her efforts proved rewarding.

Fast-forward to 2006. The now 24-year-old Erik never expected the enormous response he got in the local music scene, thus earning him the title "Prince of Pop."

"I have always wanted to be a singer, that’s why I give my best in my every performance," he says.

Doing his best garnered for him a MYX Music Awards Favorite Male Singer award for I Will Never Leave You. It is a feat for an artist determined to make good in singing and put on hold a dentistry course.

This time Erik goes for bands via Erik Santos... Your Love. It is a revival of the ’90s bands’ hits which Erik renders in a pop/ballad manner.

The songs in the album are Erik’s favorites during his younger years which inspired him more to become a singer.

Initially, when Erik was asked by Star Records to conceptualize an album as a follow-up to his multi-platinum Loving You Now, he thought of reviving songs of Barry Manilow, but the present music genre dictates otherwise.

"Since band sounds are ‘in’ these days, I revived songs from ’90s popular bands that still appeal to young listeners only with a different flavor," he says.

Band sounds are not new to Erik as he was once a member of the defunct DNA. This may be the reason why he knows how to interpret band hits well while injecting his own style.

Erik’s rendition of Alamid’s Your Love, the album’s carrier single, is No. 2 in WRR’s top hits chart. It only proves that listeners agree on his way of interpreting the popular band’s song.

Other songs in the album are Running Away, Misty Glass Window, Kailanman, Parting Time featuring Kyla, Huwag na Lang Kaya, Next in Line, Say You’ll Never Go, Girl, Kisapmata, All That I Need and Maging Sino Ka Man.

Asked which song in the album he dedicates to Rufa Mae Quinto, Erik says, "All That I Need, the only original song included in the album. The lyrics are beautiful and it best describes my feelings for her."

Although the sincerity of their relationship is still grist for the rumor mill, the couple agreed not to mind the talks anymore.

"Peachy and I are happy. We did not dwell on the past. What’s important is we love each other," he says.

In fact, they are now four months into a relationship and Erik has introduced Rufa Mae to his parents.

Rufa Mae gifted Erik with an expensive Cartier watch on his birthday last Oct. 10.

But this doesn’t mean Rufa Mae splurges her money on expensive gifts. She also knows how to handle her earnings by investing on businesses like a beauty salon and Bubble Gang Toppings.

Erik, on the other hand, is putting up a dental clinic in SM Mall of Asia soon. He has also bought a five-bedroom house in Quezon City.

Although not new in the acting department as Erik had a bit role in a Cesar Montano-Mikee Cojuangco movie years back, he would also like to dabble in films like Mark Bautista and Sarah Geronimo. But manager Boy Abunda suggests acting should take a back seat for the meantime as he will concentrate more on his singing career.

Erik is also preparing for a series of concerts billed The Prince of Pop... Live in Hawaii on Nov. 18 at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts, Nov. 19 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Nov. 20 at Blaisedell Concert Hall and a fund-raising concert on Nov. 25 for Papica Foundation.

With Erik’s hands full these days, he is grateful that there are people who keep his energy high and spirits alive.