OPM balladeer Erik Santos will miss his parents when he celebrates his 20th-anniversary concert, dubbed "Milestone: The 20th-anniversary concert," at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Oct. 6. His loving parents - Renato and Angelita - passed on following their respective bouts with lung cancer in less than one year. Despite their loss, Erik knows his parents are happy with his achievements in showbiz.

"This is an important concert because this is in honor of my parents. It also honors those suffering from cancer and families with loved ones na nakikipaglaban pa rin sa cancer," said Erik during a media conference, where he was introduced as the ambassador for Anchor of Hope and Strength, a support group for cancer warriors, held at Episode Bar in Quezon City last Sept. 21.

Erik added: "Yung parents ko everytime na magkakaroon ako ng mahalagang events sa buhay ko, they were there for me. I can feel na sa ngayon ay sobrang kulang. Kasi yung dalawang main people kung bakit ko ginagawa ang mga bagay na ito ay hindi ko makikita. So it will be hard for me but I promise that all of you will have fun and enjoy it. You will be inspired by the songs I will sing."

(Every time I have important events, my parents are there for me. Right now, it is very lacking. I will never see the two important people in my life. So it will be hard for me, but I promise that all of you will have fun and enjoy it. You will be inspired by the songs I will sing.)

Still grieving, Erik remembered the days when her parents were diagnosed with cancer. His father passed away in August, just seven months after his mother succumbed to the same battle.

"Kailan man siguro hindi magiging madali sa mga nakakaranas ng sakit na ito lalo na sa mga pamilya na nakaka-experience ng sakit na ito. Ako mismo sa sariling experience namin magkakapatid kung sino ang magbabantay sa hospital kasi kailangan din namin magtrabaho. 

(Maybe it will never be easy for families whose loved ones suffer from cancer. In my own experience, my siblings and I wonder who will care for my parents in the hospital because we also have to work.)

"Hindi po namin alam kung saan kami huhugot ng lakas everytime na haharap kami sa doctor. May good news or bad news na naman ba na darating? Sobrang draining po talaga. Siguro ang pinaghuhugutan ko na lang is yung faith ko sa panginoon," the OPM idol said.

(We don't know where to draw strength when we face the doctor. Is there good news or bad news to come? It's draining. Maybe the only thing I'm drawing from is my faith in the Lord.)

Erik, 40, admitted he questioned his faith following the demise of his parents.

"I want to be honest. My faith was shaken when we learned about the diagnosis of my father exactly the same as my mom. Sabi ko sa pamilya ko, 'Why our parents? They were good people. Matulungin sila at mabait pero bakit sila?' But at the end of the day, I know God has His reasons. Meron siyang purpose na ginagawa sa mga pagsubok na dumarating sa ating buhay."

(I want to be honest. My faith was shaken when we learned about the diagnosis of my father, the same as my mom. I said to my family, 'Why our parents? They were good people. They are helpful and kind, but why?' But at the end of the day, I know God has His reasons. He has a purpose for the trials that come in our lives.)

Erik said the recent challenges in life made him a stronger person.

"I'm a different person now, maybe a stronger Erik Santos. But I always stick to the core values na itinuro sa akin ng aking mom, which is to stay humble and grateful sa lahat ng blessings sa akin. Doon nila ako pinalaki sa core na yun," she said.

(I'm a different person now, maybe a stronger Erik Santos. But I always stick to the core values that my mom taught me, which is to stay humble and grateful for all my blessings.)

"Sa ngayon po nakikita ninyo ako na matatag. I believe it's the grace of God that keeps me going. He sustains me. Ang Panginoon talagang may mga pinapadala siyang tao especially kapag lugmok na lugmok ka na. At ang mga taong ito ay hindi ka po iiwan sa kalagitnaan ng unos na pinagdaanan namin. Yung mga panahon na ang parents ko ay naghihirap dahil sa lung cancer."

(Right now, you see me being strong. I believe it's the grace of God that keeps me going. He sustains me. The Lord has sent people to help you when you're down. And these people will not leave you in the middle of a storm. Those times when my parents were suffering from lung cancer.)

His mission to be part of a national cancer support group gives him another purpose in life. Established in 2016, the Anchor of Hope and Strength was founded by Dr. Charity Viado-Gorospe,  the oncologist of Erik's mom.

"I am really looking for an organization kung paano po ako makakatulong kahit konting tulong man lang sa abot ng aking makakaya," the singer said.

Erik also keeps himself healthy with a positive outlook in life.

"I really believe that God sustains me and my family. Pangalawa hindi na po ako tumatanda so alam po ng mga kasamahan ko sa industriya na vain po ako na tao. I go to my dermatologist regularly, I exercise regularly and eat healthy as possible. Kailangan maganda ka sa tingin ng ating mga taga-hanga. Lalo na ngayon, with the presence of social media, hindi na puwedeng lumabas na basta-basta. Kasi kahit papaano nagbibigay ka ng inspirasyon sa mga tao," he said.

(I believe that God sustains me and my family. Second, I am not getting any younger, so my industry colleagues know I am vain. I go to my dermatologist regularly, exercise regularly, and eat as healthy as possible. It would be best if you were beautiful in the eyes of our fans. Especially now, with the presence of social media, you can't go out casually. Because somehow you inspire people.)

With 20 successful years in showbiz and counting, Erik said he wants to raise a family soon, but not now.

"As of now I'm not yet ready because I'm still recovering from the loss of my parents. Pero kasama yan sa dasal ko na darating na yung time na makikilala ko na ang the one. Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat.''

(As of now, I'm not yet ready because I'm still recovering from the loss of my parents. But that's included in my prayer that the time will come when I'll meet the one. It's not too late.)

Erik revealed the qualities of his dream partner.

"Siyempre yung maganda. Gusto mong gumising every morning na maganda yung nakikita mo diba? To be honest. At saka sana yung someone na mauunawaan yung trabaho ko at makakasundo ako. Makakasundo ng personalidad ko. Makakapag-adjust ako at makakapag-adjust siya sa akin. Kung sino man yun, hindi na ako mamimili. Basta kailangan maganda at maganda ang kalooban," he added.

(Of course, she has to be beautiful. You want to wake up every morning seeing beautiful. To be honest. And then I hope someone who understands my work and can get along with me. Can get along with my personality. I can adjust, and she can adjust to mine. Whoever it is, I can't be choosy anymore. As long as she's beautiful inside and out.)