I saw a star in the fledgling, bright-eyed Erik Santos who was one of the finalists on ABS-CBN’s Star in a Million in 2004. Today, he is a certified star. Erik has powerful vocals and a deadly charm of a matinee idol. Beneath the puerile exterior, he is a brave warrior with an unflappable determination to make it big in the music industry. Who could ever forget Erik’s soulful rendition of This is the Moment from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde?
Erik has come a long way since then. Known as the Prince of Pop, Erik is one of the most successful young singers in the country today. He is an award-winning performer and a certified hitmaker who has released chart-topping record albums from Star Records like the Platinum awardees Star in A Million (2004), This is the Moment (2004), Loving You Now (2005), and Your Love (2006). He released hit singles like Your Love, Next in Line, Say You’ll Never Go, I’ll Never Go, Pagbigyang Muli, I Believe I Can Fly and This is the Moment.
Erik’s lifelong love and passion for music explains his versatility as an artist. Erik is a two-time MYX Music awardee in 2006 and 2007 as Favorite Male Artist. He also won the Favorite Remake for the song Your Love and Favorite Collaboration with Regine Velasquez for the song Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka in MYX awards; Awit Awards for Best New Male Recording Artist in 2004; Aliw Awards for Best New Male Artist in 2004; People’s Choice Award for Most Promising Balladeer in 2004, to name a few. He has performed in sold-out concerts both here and abroad with Kuh Ledesma, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Ogie Alcasid, among others.
Erik sang the theme songs of Star Cinema’s Now That I Have You and ABS-CBN’s top-rated Asianovelas like Princess Hours (I’ll Never Go), Green Rose (I Will Never Leave You) and Vietnam Rose (Magpahanggang Wakas) and teleseryes like It Might Be You, Maging Sino Ka Man and May Minamahal.
With all his achievements, Erik remains kind and down-to-earth. He attributes all his blessings to God. “I always thank God for His unconditional love. He is my life. Without Him I am nothing,” says Erik. He is also well-loved by fellow artists. Here are what our top performers say about Erik:
“Erik was a delight and a pleasure to work with. He was a guest at one of my concerts and he did wonderfully. He’s a humble performer, accepting critiques and advice without arrogance. I wish there were more performers with that attitude.” — Lea Salonga
“Working with Erik is not only fun and stress-free. I learned a lot from him. He shows me dedication. I think Erik’s best trait is his humility. Erik never forgets where he came from and this reality will be his secret weapon for surviving in a world of overnight successes and trying hard sound-a-likes. Erik sings like a concert king but never acts like one.” — Martin Nievera
“I performed with Erik in Queens on Fire. Erik has a tremendously fantastic voice. He has remained so down-to-earth. He likes to ask questions about life and the industry. The fact that he constantly asks questions means he’s eager to learn more. I think it’s his simple persona with the gifted voice that makes him the Erik Santos his followers love. They see his heart from his songs and performances.” — Pops Fernandez
“I first performed with Erik in Songbird & Songwriter. He has a strong voice, commanding presence and charisma. As a performer, he is very original and classy, traits that will make him last long in the business. As a person, I admire his humility.” — Ogie Alcasid
Erik recently staged a successful first major solo concert Erik Santos...Solo at the Coliseum 2007 at the Araneta Coliseum. Nyoy Volante, The CompanY, Sam Milby and Ai-Ai delas Alas joined him on stage as guests.
“Erik was a sight to behold during the concert with his riveting performance. His powerful dance moves with the Manoeuvres while singing NSync’s Pop showed his versatility as a performer. I also enjoyed his duet with Ms. Ai-Ai delas Alas. They make a lovely pair with their sexy yet uproarious duet of SexyBack and Milkshake. This is what I like about Erik. He is always a crowd pleaser,” says Liza, an Erik Santos fan.
One fan even said that Erik’s much-awaited moment has finally arrived. “The concert was indeed the sum total of Erik’s perseverance, hard work and sacrifices in the music industry,” she says.
Seen among the crowd during the concert were Piolo Pascual, Christian Bautista, Angelika dela Cruz, K Brosas, Sheryn Regis, Daisy Romualdez, Amalia Fuentes, Marinel Santos, Irish Fullerton and direk Joyce Bernal.
Erik was deeply moved with the audience’s overwhelming response. He was teary-eyed when he sang You Raised Me Up which he dedicated to God. He received a standing ovation and loud applause from the crowd at the end of the concert.