To many, it can be hard to imbibe the proverbial “rejections are a part of the bigger picture” mentality, especially amidst all the agony and discomfort that come with it. 

Julie Anne San Jose and Erik Santos, two of the most talented performers in the Philippines today, have had their fair share of heartbreaks early in their careers but eventually saw better days, thanks to their resilience and resolve to continue fighting.

Julie Anne, for one, lost in virtually all the singing competitions she joined. Today, she is one of GMA Network’s most bankable singers.

She says on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda:’

“I guess, Tito Boy, sobrang passionate ko lang talaga about my music, about singing. Yun talaga yung naging core ko, it is really my passion talaga… sasali ako uulit… kaya sobrang grateful ko, kasi hanggang ngayon, nandito pa rin ako, nagpapatuloy pa rin,” shared the Asia’s Limitless Star.

Meanwhile, Erik revealed on ‘Fast Talk’ that one of his first audition rejections was in GMA.

“Lingid sa kaalaman ng iba, marami po akong audition na sinalihan, at isa sa mga unang audition ko was here sa GMA. Yan yung hindi alam ng mga tao,” he tells Abunda.

“First call, tinawagan nila ako pero nung mga sumunod na hindi na po. Pero ok lang, tuloy tuloy lang,” he shared.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

Julie Anne says she has her Lola Lita to thank for, for believing in her talent and for pushing her to achieve her dreams of becoming an actress and a performer.  

“Actually, yung lola ko talaga, so Mommy Lita… siya talaga yung nag-persuade sa akin maging artista. Siya yung nag-manifest for me,” shared the All-Out Sundays host.

“Balang araw magiging artista ka, balang araw magiging singer ka, tapos sumali ako ng iba't-ibang mga contest… wow ang galing lang kasi, it was Lola,” she added. 

Erik, meanwhile, shared how his ardent desire to be a singer pushed him to self-record and publish his own music way back in high school.

“Dati pa lang kasi, Tito Boy, gustong-gusto ko na maging singer, gusto ko na mapanood sa TV, gusto ko napapanood yung mga concert artists, gusto ko maranasan iyon. So ginawan ko ng paraan yung sarili ko para magkaron ng sariling album,” Erik recalled.

He found creative ways to distribute his recorded songs and even signed the produced copies before handing them out. His target market: his classmates.

“Magre-record ako, uso pa noon yung multiplex, ipe-play ko and then merong mga blank tape tapos dun ko ire-record kasama ng boses ko. Ipapamigay ko siya sa classmates ko, lalagyan ko ng message,” the 41-year-old singer-songwriter said.

MANIFESTATION

Talking about Julie Anne and Erik’s acclaimed careers and their impact on the music industry, the King of Talk also shared his thoughts on the magical work of manifestations.

“You bring your thoughts and intentions into reality by believing in the power of thinking about it. Ako naniniwala ako sa power ng manifestation… hindi naman kayo nag-aantay lang na mangyayari yung bagay-bagay. With manifestation, you have to do something para marating mo yung intention mo,” Abunda said.

He recalled the time Erik joined “Star in a Million” and was eliminated after just three weeks. Erick would then be called back to a wildcard round and eventually grab the championship trophy from heavy favorite Sheryn Regis. 

Christian Bautista, now also a mainstay in GMA’s All-Out Sundays, was Erik’s batchmate in the competition.

“Actually, ayaw ko nang sumali pero ikaw po yung nagtutulak sa akin na, ‘Erik isa na lang, isang beses na lang,” Erik tells Abunda, his former manager.

“Si Tito Boy po talaga nag-motivate sa akin,” he said.

Abunda, meanwhile, said:

“Why am I talking about this? Dahil doon sa mga pinanghihinaan ng loob, this is the biggest testament na kaya,” said Abunda while pointing at the pair.

JOURNEY

With their heartbreaks and talents catapulting them to their now colorful careers, Julie Anne and Erik’s journey in the Philippine music scene is yet to reach its peak.

Fans surely have more to look forward to from the two, including a one-of-a-kind collaboration concert as they share the stage for Love Bound, happening on March 2, 2024 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Ultimately, staying the course became the winning formula that propelled the two to undeniable success.