From Jun to Erik

It is now 2015, and we are strangely enough still freezing from the wind and rains of February. We have been told that it is all due to Climate Change, and from now on, we shall find every thing we don’t understand blamed on this phenomenon. But apart from problems with the environment, life goes on for the Filipino, especially in the fields of music and singing. The name Erik Santos made it big as grand champion of the ABS-CBN’s Star in a Million competition.

And speaking of singing, let us flashback to 2009 as we recall a singer-entertainer by the name of Jun Polistico ruling the airwaves with his songs, that gave him the tag of Mr. Golden Voice, Master of the Ballad. Jun had started singing at the age of 12 and when he went with a friend to audition at the radio station DYRR, the band leader Romy Rom declared to all — “The one who is going to beat you all has arrived.” Soon, Jun was signing a recording contract with Villar Records, then was chosen to perform during the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier’s Thrilla in Manila fight, after which he decided to try his luck performing abroad for the Society of Seven, and various other performance venues.

But after seven years of doing the same thing over and over again, Jun decided to work in Las Vegas from 1984 to 1990, performing in lounges with his own band Valentinos, doing everything possible to go against boredom that is every artist’s problem. He got hooked on drugs but after 10 years, discovered the Lord. Jun is happy to be in the company of such celebrities like Ray An Fuentes, Gary Valenciano, Connie Reyes and Anthony Castelo, not to mention Rico Puno, who attend different churches, but are united in their beliefs.

We mention Erik only because he is the current biggest name in the field of singing, with the exception of Martin Nievera (our own opinion). Known for his soulful ballads, Erik came to called the Prince of Pop. His much-awaited debut album aptly titled This Is the Moment shows that Erik’s moment has indeed come. His passion for music started during his childhood years during which he participated in various singing competitions. His Platinum debut album and succeeding albums, sold-out concerts, the constant demand from corporate show organizers, accolades from Awit Awards, Star Awards and Aliw Awards, endorsements for a bank (Bank of the Philippine Island’s Express Remit), theme songs for radio stations and even movies earned him an unusual popularity. His first single Pagbigyang Muli remained No. 1 of WRR’s hit chart for more than 20 weeks together with his other songs filling up the chart simultaneously. Amidst all these, Erik still remains charming and this “realness” becomes one of the biggest factors why Erik has won audiences nationwide.

One of his biggest accomplishments is being invited to sing for Pope Francis at the open-air auditorium at the Quirino Grandstand. We wish him well and all those who have excelled in similar fields of music. We Filipinos have always had the gift of song, although it has taken some time for the world to discover this. To all of them, including Jun and Erik, the Pinoy jurors in The Voice of the Philippines — Bamboo, apl.de.ap., Sarah Geronimo and Lea Salonga, our very best for 2015.

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Jun Polistico finds God