Edward sings his heartbreak

MANILA, Philippines – Not just once but thrice did Edward Benosa experience the joy and pain of deeply falling in love in his search for the one truly meant for him.

“Yes, I’ve fallen in love before and I really felt the pain whenever my relationships ended and I was left heartbroken,” shares Edward about his past loves. “The first two (relationships) were complicated — love triangle (laughs). Sa una, ako ang nanalo, ako ang pinili at s’yempre masarap sa pakiramdam at ‘yung isa hindi ako, kaya masakit. Of course, I won’t dare get into that kind of relationship again but no regrets because if not for them, hindi ako matututo so looking back, di ko rin pinagsisihan. Kumbaga, I’ve become stronger in life so I’m thankful for those experiences. You just have to learn to face the challenges and learn from them.”

His romance with another girl also fizzled out. But Edward didn’t wallow in sadness. Instead, he turned his heartbreak into a song. “I was able to write Paglisan (included in his debut album) when the girl left me. I remember I was in a coffee shop that time and it was raining. It was not my intention to write about what I felt but the words just came out so I wrote them down at doon ko nailabas lahat ng gusto ko sanang sabihin. I was even surprised I did it. Then after a week, I went again to a coffee shop and after an hour, I composed another song, Why Didn’t You Stay.

“Thanks to her, because if not for what happened to us, I wouldn’t discover that I could be a songwriter, so in a way it turned out good.” No wonder, Edward believes that everything —  whether good or bad — happens for a reason.

Indeed, his having had experienced being in a love triangle made it easy for the young balladeer to act as natural as can be in the music video of his single Puso Kong Ito which is nominated in the Best Music Video category in this year’s PMPC Star Awards for Music with awarding ceremonies set on Oct. 23 at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

Edward, who bagged the Star Awards for Best New Male Recording Artist award last year, says it was only recently when he learned about the new nomination. According to music video producer Carlson Chan of Dannon Clothing, preparations took months before the music video was shot in Tarlac for three days with director Carlo Obispo.

“The concept of direk Carlo for the music video will certainly make the audience feel the emotions of the characters (played by Edward, Ballet Manila’s Abigail Oliveiro and RK Bagatsing); sobrang ganda ng kinalabasan,” Edward says.

He, too, agrees that he is facing a tough competition with Vice Ganda, Juris, Sam Concepcion and Rivermaya being nominated in the same category. “I believe our edge is mine (music video) was shot by direk Carlo who is very professional with his work. It can be likened to a short film; may puso.”

Besides, Puso Kong Ito is one of Edward’s favorite songs “because I feel there’s something unique about it.”

Asked if he is in love right now, Edward replies, “I’m happy and in love with life.”

Aside from singing, Edward is also into acting. In fact, he is also rehearsing for a musical titled Mula Sa Buwan, slated to be staged at the Ateneo de Manila University Grounds in December. He is also collaborating with his manager Arnold Reyes for his sophomore album.