Erik Santos triumphs over insecurities
Erik Santos admits singers like him feel insecure in the face of competition. But he clarified that he doesn’t feel that way anymore with fellow "ASAP Champions" singers.
“Lumagpas na ako sa stage na iyon eh. Dati meron, pataasan kayo. Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na wala, ang plastic ko naman kung wala. Kailangan kapag may hit song yung isa, dapat merong mas maghi-hit,” Erik said at the press conference for his tenth anniversary concert “InTENse” at Plaza Ibarra, Quezon City on Friday, October 11.
Erik admitted he used to feel insecure over Christian Bautista, his one-time rival in the singing search “Star in a Million” (Erik emerged grand winner).
“Ka-batch ko kasi si Christian. Tapos kapag siya yung may sikat na kanta, siya yung nasa Indonesia, ‘Bakit ganon, ako yung champion, siya yung sikat sa Indonesia?’ May mga ganoon ako before. Alam niya iyon, sinasabi ko sa kanya. At may ganoon rin siya sa akin.”
Healthy competition
Erik now sees a healthy rivalry between him and Christian.
“This time, wala. Siguro kung may competition man, healthy competition. More on nagsusuportahan kami eh.”
Erik added that he has matured as a person and as a singer.
“Siguro sa sarili ko na lang, na kunyari na bakit ang kanta ko hindi naghi-hit. Hindi na ako tumitingin sa achievements ng mga kasamahan ko. Mas nagfo-focus ako sa mga gagawin ko pa at yung ma kaya ko pang gawin.”
Erik added, “At the end of the day, yung sustainability is the name of the game. Yung papaano mo imi-maintain yung career mo at kung sino yung tatagal.”
Aside from being in the same industry, Erik and Christian used to like the same girl—Rachelle Ann Go. Christian and Rachelle are former sweethearts.
“Nagpaalam naman sa akin si Christian before. Ang dami kasing may crush kay Rachelle Ann noon,” Erik said.
Even if Erik and Rachelle are both single, he doesn’t see himself pursuing her because they have already established a strong friendship, together with fellow "Champions" singers Mark Bautista, Sarah Geronimo and Jed Madela.
“Mas established na yung friendship namin. Alam niyo, every month kailangan nagkikita kaming lahat. Meron kaming chat room, every day nag-uusap kami. Ganoon yung level ng friendship namin nina Christian, Mark, Rachel, yung Champion, kahit si Sarah.”
A-list guests
Erik looks forward to “InTENse” on November 10 at PICC, where his close friends Ai-Ai delas Alas, Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez have promised to perform as guests.
“Hindi ako nahirapan na i-invite sila. Isang sabihan lang, they said yes right away. Nafeel ko yung significance ko sa kanila.”
Erik is mum on the details of his performance and just said there will be many surprises.
“Personal favorites, theme songs. Yung mga iniexpect sa akin ng mga tao na kakantahin ko, gagawin ko, pero merong ibang atake. Pero surprise pa lahat.”
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