Erik Santos - Prince of Pop

Erik Santos finally tries his hand in acting
By JOJO P. PANALIGAN
July 23, 2010, 4:22pm

Seven years after he first got an offer to try out acting, Prince of Pop Erik Santos has finally taken the plunge via an episode on “Maalaala Mo Kaya” to air Saturday, July 24.

“Ako kasi ‘yung tao na ayaw na napre-pressure. Before, I didn’t feel I was cut out for this aspect of show business. But because the right material finally came my way, pumayag na din ako,” he told Bulletin Entertainment and other members of media in an interview held July 21.

In the episode, Erik plays an OFW who applied as a singer but became a housekeeper at Venetian Hotel in Macau. The balladeer relates to his role since he is also “a breadwinner, a singer, at saka matiisin” for real, and because his father worked as an engineer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia a few years back.

It was disclosed during the interview that Erik could’ve starred in his own episode on “MMK” in 2003 when he was offered to do so right after he won as champion on the first “Search for the Star In A Million” contest.

“Andami nang umakting sa mga kasabayan ko since that time so ako naman ngayon,” he quipped.

The singer prepared for the job by undergoing workshops with ace directors Laurice Guillen and Mae Cruz. He said that especially for the dramatic scenes in which he had to cry, he learned how to recall his sad experiences until it wells up inside, then release.

“Nakatulong din na may experiences na ako sa love. Naranasan ko na din naman ang maiwan…”

But that’s all in the past. These days, Erik has no room for tears given his successes as recording artist and concert performer. His album titled “Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Song Book” produced by Jim Brickman and released under Star Records continues to receive rave reviews from fans and music critics. He will soon start recording his repackaged Christmas album then another studio album.

Erik has shows on August 7 at Pagcor Tagaytay, a BPI nationwide tour, a concert at Meralco Theater on Sept. 24 and 25, and a European tour in October.

In the “MMK” episode, Erik co-stars with Paw Diaz, Jojit Lorenzo and leading lady Kristel Moreno. If ever there’s a next project, though, Erik wants to be paired up with Maja Salvador whom he considers one of the prettiest and talented young actresses there is.

Asked how he rates himself as an actor, Erik said candidly, “I think I did okay — fulfilled naman ang feeling.”

Whether people like his portrayal or not, one thing is for sure, according to Erik.

“I have newfound respect for actors. Ang hirap pala ng ginagawa nila—may pinaghuhugutan!”

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268488/erik-…his-hand-acting

Kristel Moreno and Erik Santos topbill MMK episode in Macau
Thursday, July 22, 2010
11:37 PM

Erik Santos has his first acting stint for the July 24 episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya. He is paired with Kristel Moreno in this episode shot in Macau.

Courtesy of ABS-CBN

Erik Santos will try acting for the first time after being in show business for six years. In the July 24 episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, he will play an OFW who applied as a singer but became a housekeeper at the Venetian Hotel in Macau. In preparation for his role, Erik underwent a workshop with Laurice Guillen. He also observed the movements of the letter sender who accompanied the Kapamilya stars when they shot their episode in Macau.

Kristel Moreno, the niece of Alma Moreno, is the leading lady of Erik in this episode. They will be joined by Paw Diaz and Jojit Lorenzo.

In a previous interview, Kristel told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) about her character by saying, “Isa akong funny girl na laging nagpapatawa, cool lang ako. I was there in Macau for five days.”

She also mentioned that she shot a kissing scene with Erik for this particular episode.

Director: Mae Cruz
Writer: Benson Logronio
Airing Date: July 24, 2010

CAST:

Erik Santos as Clifford
Kristel Moreno as Shayne
Paw Diaz as Tina
Jojit Lorenzo as Cesar

http://www.pep.ph/guide/6464/Kristel-Moren…pisode-in-Macau

Celeb Highlight

Erik Santos says he has no time to look for love
by Bernie Franco | July 23, 2010 8:17 AM |

Now that Erik Santos has graduated from college last March, he said that he can now have time for his love life. The singer graduated from Centro Escolar University with a degree in Psychology. In the past, Erik said that he has had a zero love life for a long time was because of the need to juggle his music career and school at the same time.

“Handa na,” he firmly said when asked if he is now ready to give his attention to love. But he quickly added that it is not something that he will eagerly seek. “Kumbaga, may mga priorities kasi na inuuna at kung darating, darating [ang love life], he said.

But more than anything else, Erik is simply glad to get a breather from his toxic schedule of going to school and working. “Kailangan mong magpuyat pagsabayin ‘yung pag-aaral at trabaho,” he said.

Since he recently tried acting via Maalaala Mo Kaya which will be aired on July 24, Erik said that he is also open to establishing an acting career. Asked whom he wishes to work with, he answered, “Gusto ko pong makatrabaho si Sarah (Geronimo) kasi komportable na ako sa kanya,” and he added that they’ve known each other for years. “Sa lahat siya ‘yung pwedeng maging komportable ako. Si Maja (Salvador) at Toni (Gonzaga) din. Kasi feeling ko, swak ‘yung ugali namin.”

http://www.abs-cbn.com/Celebrity/Article/8…k-for-love.aspx

Erik has eyes set on Maja
By YUGEL LOSORATA
July 23, 2010, 11:17am

Singer Erik Santos must have really enjoyed his first taste of acting. A couple of days before his stint on “Maalaala Mo Kaya” aired, the singer told the press that his ultimate dream kissing scene partner is Maja Salvador.

“Kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon, gusto ko sana si Maja maka-kissing scene. Sino ba naman ang hindi magkakagusto sa kanyang hitsura!” exclaimed the “Star In A Million 1” winner in a recent interview.

Erik plays lead in his first “MMK” episode shot in Macau. He is paired with Kristel Moreno with whom he figures in multiple kissing scenes. He described Kristel as “a really OK” actress before putting out good words for Maja.

“Magaling siyang umarte and nirerespeto ko siya. Hinahangaan ko siya sa pagkanta at pag-arte,” added the pop act who attended an acting workshop under directors Mae Cruz and Laurice Guillen in preparation for “MMK.”

Believed to be long overdue, Erik’s acting debut will give audiences a chance to see him outside the singer mold. There will be a couple of singing sequences, but the episode’s big reveal is Erik displaying various emotions in portraying an OFW who applied as a singer at a hotel in Macau but ended up as a housekeeper.

Erik said he liked how the story was written and that he can relate to his character in the story. He says his venture into acting has “right timing.”

“Acting is a deeper art than singing,” he argues, “Here, hindi superficial unlike in singing na you can somehow pretend feeling the song that much though you’re only singing it just right. Tumaas tuloy ang respeto ko sa mga actors after the experience.”

Erik could have appeared on “MMK” years ago if he had wanted but he felt he wasn’t ready when offered. His role eventually went to Jericho Rosales.

On the recording front, the so-called Prince of Pop is doing a new album and a repackaged Christmas album. He is busy promoting his current album “Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Song Book” produced by Brickman himself.

He has shows on Aug. 7 at Pagcor Tagaytay; a concert at the Meralco Theater in September; and a European tour and his birthday concert at Skydome in October.

Directed by Mae Cruz, Erik’s “MMK” episode will air Saturday, July 24, at 7:15 p.m. on ABS-CBN.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268367/erik-has-eyes-set-maja

TAMANG PANAHON NG PAG-ARTE
SANGA-SANGANDILA Ni Veronica R. Samio
(Pilipino Star Ngayon)
Updated July 23, 2010 12:00 AM

* * *

Hindi hiniling ni Erik Santos ang maging bida sa isang dramang palabas ng ABS-CBN. Kung ginusto niya, seven years ago, umaarte na siya. At baka isa na sa mga in demand na mga leading men sa Kapamilya network, at baka maging sa pe­­likula. Pero tumanggi siya. Kinukuha siya para gampanan ang sarili niya sa pagsasadula ng kan­­yang buhay sa Maalaala Mo Kaya pero ayaw niya, kaya si Jericho Rosales ang naging Eric Santos sa isang episode ng MMK pitong taon na ang nakakaraan.

“Hindi pa ako kilala nun, kapapanalo ko pa la­mang sa Star In A Million. Sabi nga ng writer na sumulat ng aking istorya (Mel del Rosario) starlet pa lamang daw ako nun. Pero totoo, kaya hindi pa ako handa. Lahat naman ng pangyayari sa bu­hay ko, right timing lahat, including ‘yung pagkanta ko, at itong pag-aartista ko.

“Mas mahirap palang umarte kesa kumanta, pati paglunok ko kapag umaarte ako, may mea­ning. Buti na lang, pinapag-acting workshop ako, one on one kay Ms. Laurice Guillen. Tapos kaming dalawa ni Kristel (Moreno, his leading lady in the episode) winorkshop din ni direk Mae Cruz para maging pamilyar kami sa isa’t isa.

“Three consecutive days kaming nag-taping sa Macau. Grabe ang hirap. Pero fully supported ako ni Direk Mae. Alam n’yo ba na siya rin ang nagdirek nung istorya ko sa MMK? Kaya very pa­tient siya sa akin. Palagi niyang tinatanong kung ready na ako, pag hindi pa, binibigyan niya ako ng oras para makapag-internalize. Hindi naman ako gaanong nahirapan, madali kong nailalagay ang sarili ko sa character na aking ginagampanan. Sa mga kinakailangang emosyon, malaking tulong ‘yung mga naging karanasan ko sa buhay. Tama lang pala na ngayon ako pumayag na mag-artista, kung noon pa, wala akong karanasang mapag­huhugutan.

“Pati ‘yung kissing scene namin ni Kristel na marami-rami rin naman ay madali naming nagawa. Nung una, medyo nagkakahiyaan pa, pero nung magtagal, hindi na. Ang laking suporta ang ibinigay sa akin ni Kristel,” pag-amin ni Erik.

Isang OFW sa Macau ang ginagampanan niya. Nag-apply na singer pero sa housekeeping sa Ve­netian Hotel sa Macau siya napunta. Bukod sa ka­nila ni Kristel, kasama rin nilang gumaganap sa nasabing episode sina Paw Diaz at Jojt Lorenzo.

Tinanong si Erik kung magsisimula na siyang makipagkumpetensiya sa mga katulad niyang singer na nag-aartista rin.

“Hindi, sa singing pa rin ako. Masyado ang pres­­sure sa pag-arte, hindi ko comfort zone. Pa­minsan-minsan lang siguro dahil makakaapekto rin sa pagkanta ko ‘yung madalas na pagpupuyat at sobrang drama, nakakapaos,” paliwanag niya.

As a singer, Erik remains on top of his game. Ang album niyang Erik Santos : The Jim Brick­man Song Book ay patuloy sa pag-arangkada.

Sa halip na 10-10-10 (Oct. 10, 2010) na siya ta­la­gang araw ng kanyang kapanganakan, ma­papaaga ang kanyang birthday concert dahil magkakaroon siya ng European tour. Magaganap ito sa September 24 at 25 sa Meralco Theater.

May offer din sa kanya na isang musical play pero hindi pa niya puwedeng sabihin ang mga detalye tungkol dito.

Erik Santos first acting stint
Thursday, July 22, 2010

KAPAMILYA singer Erik Santos could not believe that at some point of his career he will go into acting.

Erik, who has done several albums and was constantly on top list to sing most television and movie theme songs, will grace this Saturday’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode.

This is the first acting project of the singer who admitted that he was a bit reluctant to grace the boob tube as an actor and not as a singer.

“Sobrang excited and medyo kinakabahan kasi first time ko and hindi ko naman alam kung magugustuhan din sya ng tao,” he said.

Erik will be paired with actress Kristel Moreno.

For her part, Kristel said: “Nakakatuwa kasi sa isang bago pa lang sa pag-acting, talagang magaling and may ibubuga sya.”

Erik is thankful to his handler Backroom Incorporated, owned by Boy Abunda, for sending him to an acting workshop with director Laurice Guillen.

The singer also shared that he already had a MMK offer before but he declined then because he was not ready yet for the project.

“Lahat first sa akin dito. Ibang Erik Santos naman ang makikita ng tao sa akin dito,” he said, revealing that he has kissing scenes too with Kristel.

When asked if he will be accepting more acting projects, he said: “Siguro kung mabigyan ng pagkakataon, bakit naman hindi diba? Opportunity din yun for me and blessing din. Kaya kung may darating pa pag-iisipan natin yan.” (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)

Erik Santos tries acting for the first time on MMK
by Bernie Franco | July 22, 2010 8:53 AM |

Singer Erik Santos is nervous and excited about his first-ever acting stint, which will be for Maalaala Mo Kaya airing on July 24. “Excited ako kasi for the first time ang ipo-promote ko hindi pagkanta [kundi] acting naman,” shared the singer. “Kinakabahan kasi hindi ko alam kung magugustuhan ng mga tao pero I hope and pray magustuhan nila.”

Though he has been in the business for six years, Erik never tried acting before even if there were previous offers. “May past offer na ‘yung MMK sa akin pero feeling ko hindi pa ako handa,” he said. But when this particular role was offered to him, he finally said yes because he felt that it was close to his heart. “Itong binigay nila ‘yung script, binasa ko, sabi ko ang ganda kasi singer din [‘yung character] eh. Nagta-travel so sabi ko, ‘Sigenga try ko.’ So pinag-workshop nila ako kay Direk Laurice (Guillen) ng one session, ayun. Tsaka why not? Try lang naman ‘di ba? Gusto ko lang i-try kung pwede.”

The singer said that the most difficult part in acting was the crying scenes but he was able to deliver because he internalized the character. “Siguro po napasok ko lang ‘yung character. Napakaganda po nung storya,” said Erik. He added that he could relate to his character because his father is an OFW. “So alam ko kung paano mahiwalay sa pamilya and alam ko I’m a breadwinner so alam ko ‘yung feeling.”

Aside from the acting workshop, Erik said that he studied the script over and over again and observed the movements and mannerisms of the letter sender, Clifford, who was with them during the taping. He said that Clifford told him that his portrayal was really convincing.

After his recent acting stint, Erik said that he is now open to starting an acting career. “Sana po kung mabibigyan po ng pagkakataon at kung babagay naman po ‘yung role.” He said that he had previous hesitations because he was told that too much fatigue could ruin his singing voice. “Feeling ko kasi hindi ako para do’n [sa acting]. Feeling ko hindi ako para sa acting. Tsaka sabi nila nakakasira ng boses ‘pag sobrang puyat so dun medyo natakot ako. Pero ngayon okay naman kasi sobrang bait ng staff ng MMK.”

Erik’s leading lady in the MMK episode is Kristel Moreno, with whom he said he had intimate kissing scenes. But he clarified that though he is open to acting projects, he stressed that his first love will always be singing.

http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/810…ime-on-MMK.aspx