Erik has eyes set on Maja
mb.com
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.