A post shared by Gerald Santos (@thegeraldsantos) on Apr 10, 2017 at 2:26am PDT

MANILA -- Singer Gerald Santos is definitely in cloud nine these days.

Just days after his solo concert "Something New in My Life" at the SM North Edsa Skydome on April 9, it was officially announced that he was chosen to be part of the UK touring company of the international musical hit "Miss Saigon."

Santos, who will be playing the key role of Kim's cousin Thuy, will be joining Filipino artists Joreen Bautista and Red Concepcion, who were also cast as Kim alternate and Engineer, respectively.

The UK tour of Cameron Mackintosh's "Miss Saigon," which will also include stops in Ireland, will kick off in Leicester on July 3.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Santos admitted that he never thought that he will be chosen for the production.

"Grabe, sobrang overwhelmed," Santos said. "Grateful and thankful to God sa wonderful blessing na ito sa aking career and sa buhay po."

The 26-year-old Santos started singing at the age of 8 and has joined several amateur singing contests. When he was 15, he was hailed as the grand champion of the TV talent show "Pinoy Pop Superstar."

Despite this, he admitted that he auditioned for "Miss Saigon" in March last year, singing Thuy's song, "Kim's Nightmare," to be noticed further and to level up his career.

"Sinubukan ko lang po. Nag-audition ako and then ito na at thankfully nakapasa ako sa four stages na rigorous audition ng 'Miss Saigon.' Medyo matagal po 'yung paghihintay ng announcement but worth it po lahat," he said.

CALLBACKS

A post shared by Gerald Santos (@thegeraldsantos) on Feb 21, 2017 at 1:01am PST

Santos recalled that during the callbacks when he had an inkling that he had a good chance of making it.

"Noon pa lang nagtataka na ako. They've been teaching me how to attack the role of Thuy although walang direct na sinasabing pasok ka na," he said.

"Pero napi-feel ko as if inaalagaan na ako and I felt overwhelmed with that. 'Yung third round, 'yun na po ang ensemble and dance day. Sobrang kinabahan ako kasi waterloo ko ang pagsayaw," the singer continued.

But in the middle of the dance session, Santos was asked to have a one-on-one session with director Laurence Connor, musical director Stephen Brooker and casting director Paul Wooller.

"Pinakanta nila sa akin 'yung kanta ni Thuy. Tinuturo nila how to attack it," he recalled.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

A post shared by Gerald Santos (@thegeraldsantos) on Jan 15, 2017 at 7:20am PST

Although known more as a pop singer, Santos actually has experience in musical theater.

After "Pinoy Pop Superstar," he appeared in the musicals "Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal" and "San Pedro Calungsod."

Santos is hoping to get tips from Robert Seña, who played Thuy in the London production, as well asother Filipino artists who did "Miss Saigon."

"Magre-reach out kami with them. Ang nakausap ko pa lang ay si Ms. Jamie Rivera. Nakapagbigay na siya ng ilang tips at kung ano ang mae-expect ko doon. Hopefully magkaroon ako ng time with them," he added.

Apart from being away from his family, Santos is aware that joining the UK tour will be mentally and vocally challenging.

"I will be doing eight shows a week, 'di ko pa 'yan nata-try dito. Siyempre tao lang tayo, napapagod. Tingin ko 'yon ang pinaka-challenge kasi the role of Thuy is very difficult. Grabe, vocally and emotionally sa acting sobrang demanding niya," he said.

But Santos promised to do his best.

"Ipakita natin sa buong mundo kung gaano kagaling ang talento ng Filipino and I will do and give my best to make our country proud. Iwawagayway po natin ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa Europe," he promised.