Erik puts his money where his heart is

Let it not be said that Erik Santos cannot handle his purse strings as well as he handles his career. The singing champion has put his hard-earned money where they will grow some more, not stagnate or yield measly profits.

After building his dreamhouse in Novaliches — complete with huts and waterfalls and a far cry from his humble beginnings in Malabon, Erik has heeded Sharon Cuneta’s advice. The money-savvy Megastar has urged Erik to buy a 426-sq.m. piece of prime property at posh Westgrove, Laguna, adjacent to girlfriend Rufa Mae Quinto’s lot.

When he sees your jaw drop, Erik hastens to add, "I loaned the money from a bank and am paying on installment basis."

He and Rufa Mae are also producing their concert, When Erik Met Rufa The Repeat… to the Max! on Feb. 16, 9 p.m. at Aliw Theater.

Since he is the singer and she the comedienne, Erik will provide the music while Rufa Mae will take care of the dancing and comedy. The result, says Erik, is a fine balance, and — we may add — equal division of labor between them.

Having a singer for a boyfriend, admits Erik, was tough for Rufa Mae at first. She thought — wrongly — that he was forever shouting at her because of his naturally booming voice.

Erik, on the other hand, thought — wrongly too — that Rufa Mae was cracking jokes even if she meant every single word she was saying.

She had to reassure him, "Baby (their pet name for each other), I’m serious this time."

Now he knows better. He can tell when his girlfriend is teasing him and when she means business.

From her, Erik learned how to appreciate "the simplest blessing." Give her a ballpen and his girlfriend’s face will light up with a smile. He has also changed his hairstyle to please his girlfriend and is not above listening to Rufa Mae suggest changes in his wardrobe.

Erik, on the other hand, is teaching Rufa Mae the ropes of singing.

Sleep early, he tells her. But he knows this is easier said than done for someone with a punishing schedule like her.

"She supports her family, and I’m here to help her," he adds. He doesn’t mind knocking at her door and finding out that she’s not yet home even when the hour is super late. Instead of fuming mad, Erik just waits for Rufa Mae in their sala at home. If not, he visits her on the set, even at ungodly hours like 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.

"I never let a day pass without seeing her," states Erik, who at 24, is four years Rufa Mae’s junior.

Even if they have yet to mark their first anniversary as sweethearts, Erik swears he and Rufa Mae are sure of their feelings. They know the path showbiz people in love are taking is never lined with roses. Sometimes they wish it is. But both know it’s wishful thinking.

Yes, they do talk about staying in each other’s arms forever, but Erik and Rufa Mae know all they can do for now is dream. She has many career plans to fulfill and so does he.

But it won’t hurt if Erik conjures his own wedding scenario. That scenario will see him making guests teary-eyed as he walks down the aisle singing, not some overused wedding tune, but "my own composition." It will be a wedding like no other, if and when.

Can you imagine the jolly Rufa Mae walking down the aisle with Erik and turning the solemn moment into a rollicking one?

For now, the couple is happy with what they have, and at the rate things are coming up roses for them. Erik reports that tickets to their repeat show are 60 percent sold as of two weeks ago.

"Watch out for our surprise grand finale," Erik says, winking.

Will this blend of music and comedy, directed by Backroom’s Bong Quintana, be successful enough to merit a part three? Your guess is as good as mine.