Papal mass, a career highlight for Erik Santos

MANILA - Kapamilya singer Erik Santos considers his part in Pope Francis' mass at Luneta Park, which was attended by some 6 million people on Sunday, as the highlight of his decade-long career.

Santos, who rose to fame after winning an ABS-CBN singing competition in 2003, was tapped to sing the responsorial psalm in the concluding mass of the pontiff's five-day apostolic visit to the Philippines.

The 31-year-old balladeer was accompanied by 1,000 choir members from various dioceses and a 200-member orchestra as he sang Psalm 97.

On Monday, Santos opened the ABS-CBN noontime variety program "It's Showtime" with a rendition of the devotional song "I Offer My Life," drawing cheers from the audience.

After his performance, Santos was asked by co-hosts of "It's Showtime" about his experience singing in the presence of Pope Francis, who left for the Vatican on Monday morning.

"Sobrang overwhelming 'yung feeling," Santos said. "I feel so blessed. Blessing po talaga na makakanta po ako sa papal mass kahapon."

When co-host Vice Ganda surmised that Santos must have considered one of the highlights of his career, the singer replied definitively. "Iyon ang pinaka-highlight! Siyempre, I sang for the Lord, for the Pope and for the people talaga."

Aside from Santos, Kapamilya talents who performed at papal events include Jamie Rivera, Darren Espanto, Lyca Gairanod, Jed Madela and Angeline Quinto.

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