Just like his first name, singer EDGE is always looking for an edge to get ahead in the highly competitive entertainment industry.
His passion for music was off to a promising start when his cover songs on YouTube generated a very encouraging response. Transitioning later to the music sharing platform, Soundcloud, EDGE’s cover tunes earned over 1.7 million streams worldwide.
However, even though EDGE obviously has the voice, the talent and even the steadily increasing following, they apparently weren’t enough to take him to the next level. He struggled to find his niche and almost gave up on his dream after failing to secure spots in several singing competitions that he auditioned for.
He then switched his focus to his day job as an IT professional but still continued singing in his church that later led him to become a worship leader at New Life Alabang, one of South Metro’s megachurches.
Fortunately, two years later, a big break landed on EDGE’s lap when he was given an opportunity to be part of Benj and the Collective, a band he co-founded with comedian and theater actor Benj Manalo.
From then, Benj and the Collective was a sought-after act in the live circuit and even recorded two singles released by Ivory Music. Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic halting the band’s momentum, it has not stopped EDGE’s passion for music. It may have even made it stronger.
It’s no surprise then, that he soon found himself reconnecting with his friend, celebrated composer, Kiko Salazar, best known for writing Morissette Amon’s “Akin Ka Na Lang” and most recently, Myko Mañago’s latest single, “Tulad Nya.” The collaboration of EDGE and Kiko yielded the former’s remake of “Di Nagpaalam,” originally a hit for Thor Dulay in 2015.
Now a solo artist signed under Star Music, EDGE hopes to finally establish himself as one of the most promising new voices in Original Pilipino Music. With the warm reception he has been getting for his debut single, “‘Di Nagpaalam”, it looks like he is well on his way towards that long overdue recognition.
