My true friends know that I once dreamed of becoming a recording artist, a professional singer in a hotel or a composer wanting my songs to regularly hit the air waves. I am also a big fan of reality singing contests on TV and familiar with every participant hoping to remain on the spotlight and earn a record deal.
When Ms. Cherry Bayle, the producer of our radio program featuring real-life accomplishments from people worthy of notice, told me she would be having Gerald Santos as their guest, I felt excited to know more about his storybook — on how a simple, humble and family-oriented lad vocally overpowered thousands of aspirants (including my schoolmate Aicelle Santos) in the second season of Pinoy Pop Superstar.
Going back to the competition, it was apparent that Aicelle was dictating the tempo with her classy and dazzling performances. She was receiving outstanding remarks and warm fuzzies from the judges making her thrust into attention. Gerald, on the other side of the stage, was giving safe renditions of overlistened ballad hits. Just like what happened to the Erik Santos-Sheryn Regis drama the moment the top winner was revealed, the younger and less-experienced Gerald took the grand prize.
Gerald Santos
Gerald Santos singing with Pinoy Pop Superstar 3 champion Maricris Garcia
Gerald became a budding singing star and eventually marked a name known for heartfelt songs. He was able to associate his name with the likes of Ogie Alcasid and Janno Gibbs. He got a record deal with GMA Records and later in 2006 he released his first single “A Day on the Rainbow.“ He didn’t sustain a career with the Kapuso Network. His career didn’t reach its next level in the four years he spent with the network. Due to a controversy involving a musical director, he terminated his contract before its expiration. Gerald also lamented that he decided to part ways because he felt the network didn’t have a vision with regards to his career. But it seemed there would always be doors open for those who possess great natural endowments.
Gerald told us that he met TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan in Hong Kong during an event. Mister Pangilinan talked to him and offered him to be one of the network’s talents. He accepted the given projects under TV5 with his new manager Rommel Ramilo. He was indeed excited to try other things aside from singing where he also signed for some acting stints on TV and films.
Coming from a poor family, Gerald learned to use his past experiences to personify his songs. He said the songs he sings are part of his system, a true representation of his identity. At a very young age, he had joined several amateur singing contests to help his parents provide their basic needs.
Gerald is very much thankful to all those people who helped him stir in the right direction and supported him all the way. I could say he is one of the few singers of this generation who were able to retrieve their sinking careers. Well, not all singing champions remain to be active in their professional singing career and continue to release albums. He didn’t rest on his laurels. He was given a chance this year to release a new album with its carrier single “And Iyong Pagmamahal.”
The writer with Gerald Santos
Shelf Esteem 
Thank you! This is Rommel, Gerald’s manager..Thank you for giving your time and effort to write about Gerald..We truly appreciate your write up! God bless you and more power to Radyo Singko!