Erik Santos: Move to Star Magic ‘okay’ with Boy Abunda
As what TV host and manager Boy Abunda previously said in an interview, no parting ways has been easy. Prince of Pop Erik Santos, who used to be managed by Boy’s former management company Backroom Inc. since the start of his career, has recently transferred to ABS-CBN’s Star Magic as their newest talent but maintains that he and Boy are now okay and have already talked to each other.
“We’re okay. Nakapag-usap naman na kami so wala naman ng problema. Tampuhan? Wala naman. Actually, Tito Boy and I talked already and we’re okay,” Erik said at the press conference of his new album, ‘Awit Para Sa’yo’ in Don Henrico’s in Quezon City last September 15.
Erik confirmed what Boy has previously told the press that they’ve already talked to each other even though their parting was hard for them.
After being with Backroom for so many years now, what made Erik jump over the fence?
‘There are changes sa management and there are some decisions which have to be made, but we talked na. Tito Mariole and Tito Boy, nag-usap na rin sila,” Erik cleared.
Boy recently announced his resignation in Backroom and left the company’s management to his employees. Erik, on the other hand, was formally announced as Star Magic’s newest talent at the Star Magic Ball where he performed a number of songs.
“I’m very happy naman na kinonsider nila ako na maging part ng huge family nila,” Erik said.
Singing still priority
As Erik was previously handled by an efficient team in Backroom, he only thought of Star Magic to manage his career because he knows the ABS-CBN talent arm will also do an excellent job.
“Sa totoo lang, for me, after Backroom, ang hirap isipin kung sino yung magma-manage sa’yo. Kasi you came from an excellent team, so wala akong naconsider talaga kundi Star Magic,” Erik said.
Erik is being co-managed now by Star Magic and Cornerstone to handle well his recording and concerts. When asked if he would then venture into acting since he now has a new management direction, Erik shared that acting is a no for now.
“Mahirap kasi yun eh. Mas nagfofocus ako talaga sa singing ngayon,” Erik said.
New album
Erik has now released and co-produced his new album “Awit Para Sa’yo” under Star Records. The album contains fourteen tracks, nine of which are original compositions and five are cover songs. Some of his songs are “Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka,” which is currently playing on air, “Kailangan Ka Magiging Akin,” “Muling Buksan ang Puso’ and “Sana Ikaw.”
“Unang-una, sobrang pinapalakas natin ang OPM. It’s my first time to come up with an all OPM album. Ito ang may pinakamaraming kanta among all my albums. Mostly are originals,” Erik shared.
Erik said that it was his and Star Magic’s choice to do mostly originals to give audience something new.
“Madami tayong magagaling na mga composers. Gusto natin bigyan sila ng pagkakataon na maparinig yung mga awitin nila and makapag-offer rin sa mga audiences,” Erik said.
When asked what his favorite song is in the album. Erik said, “Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka.”
Does he feel incomplete now?
“Hindi naman, kumpleto naman ako, masaya naman,” Erik said. He also added that he sometimes draws from past experiences while working on the album or just puts himself on others’ shoes.
New title?
In his album, Erik is tagged as the “Ultimate Serenader.” Is he now leaving his previous title “Prince of Pop” behind?
No, but Erik is just making his image stronger as a balladeer.
“Actually, gusto lang kasi ng Star Records na maging strong ang akong image as a balladeer. So, since balladeer naman ako and ballad ang mga songs ko sa album, so they put the title in the album. But, it’s still Prince of Pop. Si Tito Boy ang nag-isip nyan,” Erik said.
