Erik Santos claims that there’s no ill will between him and former manager Boy Abunda
Push.com.ph
9/17/2011 1:25 AM
by: Rachelle Siazon

After being managed by Boy Abunda via Backroom Inc. for eight years, Erik Santos said that it was a hard decision for him to look for another talent agency to handle his music career. This is in relation to Boy’s previous announcement that he’s giving up his ownership of his management and PR company to have more time with his ailing mom. “May changes sa management. Decisions have to be made. Hindi naman sa ‘di ko nagustuhan yung changes. May mga kailangan lang i-consider,” he said during the press con for his latest album Awit Para Sa’yo last September 15 at Don Henrico’s restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Erik officially became part of Star Magic’s and Cornerstone’s roster of talents last September 3. Asked how he came up with such a decision, the Prince of Pop shared that it helps that he has known the top executives of the said groups for many years. “Sa totoo lang naging comfort zone ko ang Backroom at si Tito Boy for almost eight years. Mahirap yung transition period kasi nagiba ng management. Pero pinadali naman ng Cornerstone and Star Magic dahil kilala ko na si Mr. M (Johnny Manahan, chairman emeritus of Star Magic) bilang director ng ASAP while Erickson (Raymundo, manager of Cornerstone) has been my friend for four years.”

He was also quick to refute rumors that there were ill feelings between him and Boy prior to his transfer to Star Magic. “Wala namang tampuhan. I talked to him. We’re okay. Nakapagusap na rin sina Tita Mariole (Alberto) of Star Magic at si Tito Boy. Siyempre wala namang madaling goodbyes. Iba ang naging samahan namin eh. Para siyang pangalawang tatay ko. Kahit personal issue ko, minsan itatawag ko pa kay Tito Boy. At siyempre utang ko naman sa kanya at sa Backroom kung ano man ang narating ko ngayon, kaya I am really grateful to them.”

In the meantime, Erik is very happy with his newly-launched album under Star Records which features nine original compositions and five cover songs. “First time ko to come up with an all-OPM album. It has fourteen tracks. Sa lahat ng album ko, ito ang pinakamaraming kanta and mostly original. Yung ibang covers sinama kasi ginamit at gagamitin pang theme songs ng mga teleserye. My carrier single, ‘Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka,’ was used in My Binondo Girl, isa sa Guns and Roses at yung iba sa pelikula gagamitin.”

Erik actually thought of the lyrics and the melody for one of the tracks entitled ‘Bakit Mahal Pa Rin Kita.’ “Ngayon lang ako ulit nakapag-compose. Kasi ang sarap pala mag-record ng kanta na ikaw talaga nagisip ng melody tsaka words. Sabi ko nga, ang style ko sa paggawa ng kanta, nagising ako one morning, within twenty minutes nabuo ko na.”

But the balladeer refused to say if he was particularly inspired by someone special in his life. “Kapag gumagawa ka naman ng kanta hindi kailangan nandun ka sa sitwasyon na yun. But of course, may pinaghugatan akong experience in the past. Hindi ka naman makakagawa kung wala kang inspirasyon ’di ba?”

When prodded about his love life though, Erik admitted that he’s dating but has yet to consider entering a serious relationship at the moment. “Single pa rin, pero happy kahit nag-iisa. Hindi naman ako totally nag-iisa kasi nandiyan naman yung friends and family ko. Medyo mapili lang siguro ako. Siyempre gusto ko sa susunod na relasyon ko yun na ang magiging asawa ko. Pero hindi naman mawawala ang pakikipag-date. Iyan ang nagdadagdag ng kulay sa buhay,” he added.