Edharson Roman Quido is a self-made man. He succeeded in making his life comfortable enough for him and his family by engaging in business that he himself built. While he and his family live now in comfort, he is still uneasy as his heart continues to yearn for something he once wanted to do…sing.
Quido, now only known by his nickname, Erard, met members of the press weeks before the annual PMPC Star Awards for Music in which he was nominated in the New Male Recording Artist category for his debut album Walang Forever.
“I am very grateful to the members of PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) for the honor they have given me for my debut album,” he said after he sang the title tune from his album.
While he didn’t win the award last Sunday, he is still very thankful for the nomination. The Star Awards for Music was held at Resorts World Manila with the theme “A Decade of OPM Excellence.”
“Singing has been my lifelong ambition and dream, a passion I would like to share with others. During my younger years, I was given the privilege to sing at church choirs, a few times at weddings and it brought me much joy seeing people appreciate the simple things I could do for them. Everything seemed to be in harmony and peace,” says Erard.
Though he wanted to pursue a career in music, he thought of his family that needed his help. Putting aside his ambition to be a popular singer, he labored day and night to make his and his family’s life prosperous with the hope that, one day, when everything is already in place and he didn’t have to be bothered by family and financial problems he could pursue his first love.
And pursue it he did as he asked his friends to write songs for him as he planned to produce an album.
The result is Walang Forever, a digital album of six tunes (“Walang Forever,” “Mahal Kita,” “Nag-iisa,” “My Love Is Here,” “Hindi Ka Na Nya Mahal,” and “Patawarin Mo”) all downloadable from Spotify.
Some members of the press asked why he chose ballads as the song form he took up in his debut as a recording artist, to which Erard said, “I like making those who listen to me happy. And ballads make many people happy as they are able to relate to the songs.”
He said, “Music binds people, gives hope, shares joy and eases pain.”
In pursuing his first love, Erard is simply sharing his happiness through music. “With God by my side, I have faith nothing is impossible. I thank my family and friends who believed in my capability and encouraged me. The opportunity granted unto me is a blessing from God and I proudly share it with each other and every one.
The Hopeful Romantic screens today
If your entertainment fare is romantic comedy or rom-com as it is referred to nowadays, then The Hopeful Romantic is the kind of film you want to watch.
It seems that many millenials are drawn to this kind of film. Do you wonder why its trailer had gone viral with nine million views less than three weeks since it popped in on social media?
A comment from netizen said, “Ayos’yo ah. Basta hindi gwapong actor tapos ganito concept na movie, siguradong papatok.”
Another posted, “Mas gusto ko ganitong movie, Matatawa na maiiyak, Mas nakaka in love ang ganito at nakaka excite.”
Starring theater, TV, and movie actor Pepe Herrera and actress Ritz Azul, The Hopeful Romantic isn’t only a love story but also a movie that imparts some lessons in life and love.
This is Ritz first project as a leading lady and she is very proud to be in this project.
More comfortable with drama, this is her first digs at comedy.
“Sobrang proud ako sa pelikulang ito kasi lahat pinaghirapan naming. Nakakailang revisions kami para mapaganda ang story, para maihatid yung message ng story na may matutunan sila. Tsaka maganda talaga ang istorya, kapupulutan talaga sya ng aral,” she declared at the press con of the film days before the opening day.
Ritz also had to lose weight to effectively portray her role as a sexy gold digger.
“Nahirapan ako kasi sobrang kabaligtaran ko ang role sa totoong buhay” Ritz said adding, “Naging kumportable ako sa mga katrabaho ko, kaya napa-swimsuit ako.”
Meanwhile, this is also Pepe’s first lead role saying that he’s glad he was given the chance to explore comedy through a sexy movie.
Whether he felt an attraction for Ritz or not Pepe said it’s inconsequential. “I felt the pressure of being Ritz’s leading man, and she is a very desirable woman 110 percent. Ang masasabi ko po ay lalaki din ako at nakakramdam ng karupukan.”
Pepe is glad to learn that Ritz is easy to work with. “Cowboy si Ritz,” he said meaning his leading lady is down to earth. “Sa shooting sanay sya na i-maximize yung oras. Walang nasasayang na oras.”
In the film, Pepe is a 33-year old valet parking attendant, Jess, and a virgin (sexually) who says she’ll only give himself to the “the one.”
He meets Veronica (Ritz) at the hotel’s bar and one thing leads to another. In short, Veronica de-virginizes Jess who now believes Jessica is “the one.”
What happens later could be the most riotous scenes on screen as Veronical learns Jess is a pauper and Jess finds out that his “the one” is after men with thick pocketbooks.
Now, if you want to see the details of the film directed by Topel Lee (he’s the son of Mon Lee, a classmate at the Graduate School of the UP Institute of Mass Communication), run to the nearest Cineplex now and enjoy the show.