Erik Santos is still able to consult, ‘talk as friends,’ with Boy Abunda

ERIK Santos

Erik Santos said all is well between him and TV host Boy Abunda, who used to head the talent management group Backroom Inc. that managed his career for more than seven years.

Santos ended his business relationship with Backroom in August, and is now comanaged by ABS-CBN’s Star Magic group and Cornerstone Talent Management Center. Abunda said his talent agency had to release the singer because he “badmouthed Backroom and lied to some of our common friends.”

The singer said he patched things up with Abunda in a three-hour conversation last month. “I realized how much Tito Boy loves me, that what we had was beyond the talent-manager relationship. He’s been like a father to me and I’ll always be grateful to him,” Erik told Inquirer during the press launch at Manila Ocean Park of Atlantis Productions’ “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”

When the story about their misunderstanding circulated, Erik decided to pay his former manager a visit. “I came alone,” the singer recounted. “I was nervous because I wasn’t sure he’d even let me in. It was painful to talk at first, especially for me. Eventually the conversation became light and touching.”

Erik is open to the possibility of returning to Backroom Inc. Meanwhile, he said, “I can always call him, even consult with him. He said we could still talk as close friends.”

With his career happily on auto-pilot, Erik is often asked about his love life. “I’m searching,” he admitted. “Should God give me someone special now, I hope she’s for keeps.”

Erik plays Prince Eric to Rachelle Ann Go’s Ariel in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” a musical based on the animated 1989 film and the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, ongoing till Dec. 11 at Meralco Theater in Pasig City.

What’s this project’s challenge for you?

First of all, ’di ako Inglesero. All throughout the show, I have to speak in English. Second, the style of singing is different. It’s metered. You cannot ad lib because all your speaking lines are measured, too.

Does this mean you’re ready to do acting full-time?

I did a few episodes for “Maalala Mo Kaya” and fell in love with acting. But I’ll continue to focus on singing and doing concerts because that’s my first love … what I think I do best. Theater is tough. The crowd is harder to please than the concert audience.

How did you prepare for this?

We’ve been rehearsing since October. I really need to take care of my voice. I follow my directors’ instructions. Direk Bobby (Garcia) and Direk Chari (Arespacochaga) have been very supportive of Shin (Rachelle Ann) and me, because this is our first time to do theater.

Do you feel pressured when people say you and Shin were cast for commercial “pull”?

My pressure comes from the fact that I’m doing this for the first time.