2015 was a good year for Edward Benosa. He fulfilled two of his big dreams: He was named Best New Artist of the Year at the Star Awards for Music, and released his self-titled album under Star Music, with the single Di Man Lang Nagpaalam making its mark in sales and radio countdowns nationwide. Its accompanying music video, directed by Frank Lloyd Mamaril, was also nominated for Best Music Video.
It seems that 2016 will also be a good year for Edward, who started it by fulfilling another dream: Performing as guest (last February) of Lani Misalucha where he did his own song and, partly, a duet with Lani on Separate Lives. Lani brought from the backstage and made him sing a part of the song with her. Edward actually almost didn’t get to do it because several days before the show, he literally lost his voice.
“At first,” related Edward, “a duet with Lani wasn’t in the repertoire and I was informed about the change only a few minutes before the show.”
Edward and his manager, stage/TV/indie actor/singer Arnold Reyes, were given a list of songs to study. At that point, the production team behind the show was still not sure which one Lani would sing with Edward. So just to be sure, Edward studied all the five songs — Separate Lives, How Do You Keep the Music Playing and other classic hugot songs — practically overnight.
“To help him memorize the lyrics faster, Edward wrote them on his palms,” said Arnold. “He really worked on those songs. Kaaaral niya ng kanta buong magdamag, hayun, napuyat, naubos ang boses.”
He went to see a throat doctor, who prescribed steroids. Luckily, Edward’s throat healed in time for the concert. He remembers how he felt at that very moment he was on the same stage with Lani.
“Just listening to her was an experience,” said Edward. “Wow, grabe! Once you are with her, you feel that you are at a loss so you just have to rely on your guts that you could do it. You could get carried away by her powerful performance; di ka pwedeng di ka niya madala. Parang humihiwalay ang kaluluwa ko sa katawan ko ‘pag naririnig ko siya.”
Edward is now preparing for his birthday concert on April 16 (his birthday is actually on April 7) at the Teatrino. Titled Edward Benosa: Most Requested, the concert will feature Morissette Amon and DJ Chacha (it was on her program that Edward first launched his single), and look back at what Edward has achieved in his first year in showbiz.
“I am overwhelmed,” admitted Edward. “I still can’t believe what’s happening. I realize that at this point of my life, wow, I’m on the right path. Before, I wasn’t serious about showbiz but now, ini-embrace ko na siya. I’m certain that this is what I want to do. It feels good. I know that there are many more things that I have to do to reach my goal. Ang layo pa ng tatahakin ko! I look up to artists like Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera na talagang binubuhos ang passion at puso sa kanilang career.”
The director, Frank Lloyd Mamaril, said that the show’s venue is very appropriate because Teatrino is where a lot of artists start. The concert is likewise a tribute to all the people who have helped and supported him to get to where he is now.
Edward is set for the many more challenges along the way.
“Madami pa, a lot more,” he added. “I learned na hindi talaga puede ang instant fame. You have to invest. I thought that once you are able to join showbiz, ‘yun na ‘yon. It’s a never-ending learning process pala. Doon ka gumagaling, natututo.”
He has only just begun.