Erik Santos: ‘Yung hinahanap ko kasi, yung pangmatagalan na’

MANILA, Philippines – Erik Santos admits he feels pressured every time he is asked by the entertainment press when he is planning to settle down.

“Nape-pressure ako kasi marrying age na ako,” he said. “Buti na lang nasa showbiz ako. Naghahanap naman ako, nagda-date rin ako, hindi naman nawawala sa akin yun.”

However, the 31-year-old singer explained he’s taking his time because he is already thinking about his future.

“Kaya lang, hindi lang talaga ukol. And yung hinahanap ko kasi, yung pangmatagalan na,” he said.

Erik added, “Gusto ko na ring magkaroon ng family ko, mga three to five years from now.”

Insecurities

The singer talked to the press to promote his upcoming anniversary concert “InTENse: A Decade with the Prince of Pop” on Nov. 9.

The concert will celebrate his 10th year in show business, after his win in ABS-CBN’s reality singing show “Star in a Million” in 2003.

Erik admits that during the early parts of his career, he felt insecure with former fellow Kapamilya artist Christian Bautista. Now a GMA-7 artist, Christian was bested by Erik in the said reality show. However, shortly after his defeat, Christian became a favorite in certain Southeast Asian markets.

“Pag may sikat siyang kanta, siya yung nasa Indonesia. Bakit ganun, ako yung champion, pero siya yung nasa Indonesia?” he shared.

But Erik is past this insecurity, adding it made his outlook in life and his singing more mature. Now, he is focusing on having a stable career in the music industry.

“Siguro kung may competition man, healthy competition. More on nagsusuportahan kami,” he said of his singer-friends and contemporaries, particularly Christian, Mark Bautista and Jed Madela.

Erik added, “Pero, at the end of the day, yung sustainability is the name of the game. Yung papaano mo ime-maintain yung career mo at kung paano ka tatagal.”