If you’ve been hearing the song Di Man Lang Nagpaalam on the radio, or seen the video on YouTube and wanted to know more about the good-looking singer behind it, his name is Edward Benosa.
Edward launched his eponymously-titled album early this year under the Star Music label. The song — written and composed by singer-actor Arnold Cruz Reyes, who also happens to be Edward’s manager — is about a love that walks away from the relationship or breaks up with someone without saying goodbye, a situation that a lot of people can relate to, either because it happened to them or to someone they know and has been topping radio countdowns nationwide and even became a Most Requested Song on MOR.
He is pleasantly surprised by the response the song has received. He thinks it’s because a lot of people can identify with the situation. Even he can. “Oo naman,” he says to the question of whether it has ever happened to him. “Nagkaroon din ako ng same experience. Totoong nangyari sa akin.”
Edward thinks that with Di Man Lang Nagpaalam, he has found his niche as a singer in hugot songs with a light pop touch, just enough to pierce the heart and make people feel the emotions behind the song. In short, he says, “yung mga kantang nakaka-identify ang mga tao na may pinagdaanan o pinagdadaanan sa pag-ibig.”
The good-looking mestizo singer, who’s in his early 20s, began singing in high school. It was his way of keeping his classmates entertained. “Ginagawa akong jukebox ng mga classmates ko. Pinapagalitan ako ng teacher kasi laging maingay ang classroom,” he says with a laugh.
Well, no one is laughing now, because Edward seems to have finally broken through the competitive music biz. Aside from the exposure Di Man Lang Nagpaalam has received on radio stations nationwide, its music video has earned over 400,000 views to date. Edward was also nominated as Best New Artist at the second MOR Pinoy Music Awards, which he views as a big honor, considering he hasn’t been in the business that long. He may not have bagged the award, but it was still an affirmation that the newbie is headed somewhere important.
Even now, when he thinks about it, there’s no doubt in his mind that all this is a blessing from above and a clear sign that he has finally found his calling after several stops and starts and a time when he wasn’t even sure that this was what he wanted. “Four months pa lang, na-nominate na agad, yun pa lang sobrang blessing na,” says Edward.
It gave him the encouragement he needed to keep going. Now, with people coming in to support him — Edward now has a fan’s club called the Edward Benosa Loyal Supporters, and sponsors backing him because they believe in his talent. Since he got a second chance to prove himself, it’s been a wild ride that just keeps getting better and better, and that’s what Edward is most excited about right now.
He is grateful to his supporters for lifting him higher and giving him a reason to keep singing and performing. Because of their encouragement and the inspiration they provided, Edward has a stronger drive now than ever before. Aside from promoting his album via radio tours, TV guestings and interviews, he has been busy writing new material that just might, possibly, make it into a second album if and when the opportunity to record one materializes.
It’s not a farfetched idea. There was a time that Edward didn’t think even having one album was possible — but here he is with a hit song that’s been quickly climbing the charts and making a mark and now, looking at a possible second album, maybe even a major concert. Nothing is written in stone yet at this point, but with the success that he’s had so far, it seems like anything is possible.
“With all the things that have been happening, sa mga blessings na tinatanggap ko, I really got encouraged,” says Edward. “Parang sign na sa akin ito na ‘wag tumigil at wag mag-give up and to just go on doing what I love doing. Na-inspire din ako na magsulat pa ng mga songs na puwedeng mapabilang sa next album.”
So many blessings have been coming Edward’s way, he couldn’t ask for more. But count on it, you will be seeing more of this promising pop balladeer in the days and weeks and months to come.
(For bookings and inquiries, call Ranjo Isip at 0917-8822773.)