I SAW A star in Erik Santos nang sumali siya sa Star in a Million contest ng ABS-CBN noong 2004. Sino ang makakalimot sa kanyang winning piece na This is the Moment from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde? Tunay ngang from that moment ay malayo na ang kanyang narating sa industriya.
Tuluy-tuloy ang pagdating ng suwerte kay Erik. He has just released his latest album titled Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Song Book under Star Records. Walang iba kundi ang world-class singer/composer na si Jim Brickman ang nag-produce ng kanyang 10-track album which includes revivals and original compositions written by Jim Brickman. Ni-record ni Erik ang kanyang album sa studio ni Jim Brickman sa Los Angeles.
Tuwang-tuwa si Erik nang malaman niya na siya ang napili para makipag-collaborate sa sikat na singer/composer. Masasabi nga namang once-in-a lifetime chance ito para sa kanya na makatrabaho ang kanyang idolo. Kahanay na niya ngayon sina Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Sharon Cuneta, Ariel Rivera at Agot Isidro who have previously collaborated with Jim Brickman.
To quote my good friend Annabelle Regalado-Borja of Star Records, “Erik Santos is in the pipeline of album projects for 2009 for Star Records. Being one of the prime artists we have in our roster, STAR jammed on various album concepts for Erik. Almost 3 concepts were pitched to him until the last concept of having a collaboration with Jim Brickman brought excitement in Erik’s eyes. Like me, Erik is also a fan of Brickman songs. He narrated to me that Your Love is an unforgettable song for him, back when he was in high school. It reminded him of his first love then. Your Love was their theme song. After the pitch, I told myself, we shall make it happen for Erik.”
Kinanta ni Erik kamakailan sa The Buzz ang carrier single ng album na My Love is Here which is a romantic ballad at kasabay nito ang world premiere ng music video. Kinanta rin niya sa show ang mga timeless hits ni Jim Brickman tulad ng Valentine, The Gift at Where’s the Good in Goodbye na kasama sa kanyang bagong album.
His album will be released in Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Magpo-promote rin siya United States at Canada.
Sigurado ako na katulad ng mga naunang kanta ni Erik, ang mga awitin sa kanyang bagong album ay magiging parte rin ng ating buhay pag-ibig, tagumpay, pagkabigo at madalas na pangungulila.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda