Erik Santos

Early and personal life

Rhoderick Ramos Santos was born on October 10, 1982, in Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines to Renato Aquino Santos (born November 12, 1952) and Angelita Ramos Santos. Both battled lung cancer and died on November 25, 2022, and August 11, 2023, respectively. When he was four, his passion for singing started. He participated in numerous small-town singing competitions.

Rufa Mae Quinto was Santos' girlfriend until their breakup in 2007.

He studied at the Centro Escolar University and took up dentistry, but later shifted to Psychology. As soon as he won the singing competition Star in a Million in 2003, he temporarily stopped studying, because of his busy schedule. Eventually, he came back to school and finished college. He graduated in March 2010.

Santos was in a relationship with Angeline Quinto from 2013 to 2016.

''Star in a Million''

In 2003, Santos joined Star in a Million singing contest, and became part of the wildcard entry to the Final 10 of the show. He had a good start in the competition, but got eliminated during the third week of the show, when it was still a part of the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP. Nevertheless, his second chance came, and his rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly", won him the tenth and final slot for the semi-finals round. Eventually he became one of the three grand finalists along with Sheryn Regis (first runner up) and Marinel Santos (2nd runner up) in the showdown for the title of Star in a Million. "This is the Moment", a song from the musical Jekyll & Hyde, popularized by Martin Nievera, won him the title.

He is a third cousin of Kapuso actor Wendell Ramos. He is also the brother of newbie Star Magic actress Hadiyah Santos.

Career

In 2004, Santos released his debut album This is the Moment, and it went platinum after three months of its release. After his debut, he released an extended play, quickly followed by his second album, Loving You Now. The album was released with the hit single "Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka", composed by Ogie Alcasid, and sung as a duet with Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez. In December 2005, he held his first major solo concert at the Marikina Riverbanks. On October 19, 2007, he staged another major concert at the Araneta Coliseum, entitled Erik Santos ... Solo at the Coliseum, with Sam Milby, The company, Nyoy Volante, Danita Paner, and Ai-Ai de las Alas as guests. On September 22, 2018, he held his 15th anniversary concert titled Er1k 5antos: My Greatest Moments at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Discography

Main article: Erik Santos discography

Studio albums

• 2004 Star in a Million (Double Platinum)
• 2004 Star in a Million (Repackaged)
• 2004 This Is The Moment – first major solo album (Triple Platinum)
• 2005 I'll Never Go (CD-lite) (Platinum)
• 2005 Loving You Now (Platinum)
• 2006 Your Love (Gold)
• 2007 Your Love (Limited Platinum Edition) (Platinum)
• 2007 All I Want This Christmas (Gold)
• 2008 Face-Off (compilation of hits, with Christian Bautista)
• 2009 The Jim Brickman Songbook (Platinum)
• 2010 All I Want This Christmas (Repackaged)
• 2011 Awit Para Sa'Yo (Gold)
• 2013 The Erik Santos Collection (Gold)

Compilation albums

• Love Life (Boy Abunda)
• May Bukas Pa Tambayan Album
• I-Star 15 OPM No. 1s
• Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs

EP

• I'll Never Go EP (2005)
• All I Want This Christmas (2007) 2× Platinum

Filmography

Television

Film

Concerts

Headlining

Local

• 2004, Night of the Champions Araneta Coliseum with Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista

• 2004, The Prince of Pop and The Comedy Araneta Colieseum Concert Queen Two Solos, 1 concert

• 2007, Pamaskong Handog ni Erik Santos Marikina Riverbanks

• 2008, OL4LUV Araneta Coliseum with Sarah Geronimo, Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go

• 2007, SOLO Araneta Coliseum first major solo concert 2009, Pop Icons Araneta Coliseum with Christian Bautista, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby and Mark Bautista

• 2010, Heartsongs Teatrino Two-Nights; Valentine Concert

• 2010, Power of One Meralco Theater Two-Nights;Solo Concert

• 2010, Extra Ordinary Songs Aliw Theater with Sitti

• 2011, PowER IKons Music Museum Two Nights; Solo Concert

• 2012, Greatest Themesongs Meralco Theater Two Nights; Solo Concert

• 2018, Er1k 5antos: My Greatest Moments SM Mall of Asia Arena Two Nights; International

• Canada Tour with Toni Gonzaga

• The Prince of Pop and The Ultimate Performer (US Tour with Vina Morales)

• Queens on Fire with Regine Velasquez and Pops Fernandez (ULTRA)

• Queens on Fire US Tour

• Champion Philippine and US tour

• The Prince of Pop US Tour

• Champions of the Heart Europe Tour

• Christmas Is @ Marikina Riverbanks

• Casino Filipino Shows

• PAGCOR Shows

• Center For Pop Events

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Erik Santos: The first 'Star in a Million'".
2. "Erik Santos with star-studded birthday treat this Sunday on 'ASAP Natin 'To'".
3. Cuevas, Laica. (2022-09-06). "Most Iconic Theme Songs of Erik Santos".
4. Borromeo, Emmy. (2017-04-06). "Erik Santos Sings Greatest OPM Classics in Sophomore 'Powerhouse' Show".
5. "REALITY SHOW CHRONICLES: Erik Santos reveals childhood dream before joining Star In A Million".
6. Cartalaba, Jude. (April 10, 2013). "Photos: Erik Santos Accepts BWW Award".
7. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Telebisyon (Erik Santos) (2004)".
8. Admin, Star Cinema. "Erik Santos as the 'King of Theme Songs' {{!}} Star Cinema".
9. BWW News Desk. "Lea Salonga and Erik Santos Among Aliw Award Recipients".
10. "Best Ballad Boy".
11. (August 14, 2023). "Kapuso and Kapamilya stars send heartfelt condolences to Erik Santos after the death of his father". [[GMA Integrated News]].
12. (September 3, 2006). "Is this romance for real or for show?". [[The Philippine Star]].
13. "Erik Santos proudly says education is the foundation of his career".
14. (July 27, 2016). "Angeline Quinto regrets short-lived romance with Erik Santos". [[The Philippine Star]].
15. "Erik Santos: One in a Million".
16. "Erik Santos Star in a Million 2003 Grand Finals – This Is The Moment".
17. "Loving You Now – Erik Santos {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
18. "Erik Santos – Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka (Audio) 🎵 {{!}} Loving You Now".
19. "Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto at the Araneta Coliseum news and updates {{!}} Rappler".
20. "Erik Santos marks 15th anniversary with album, concert".
21. Jocelyn Dimaculangan. (March 20, 2007). "Sponge Cola wins four trophies in the 2nd MYX Music Awards". Pep.ph.
22. Baby A. Gil. (March 28, 2008). "Sarah is big winner at MYX Awards". [[PhilStar]].