Sam Milby, Erickson Raymundo at Catriona Gray
NAGSIMULA lang sa dalawang talents 15 years ago — sina Sam MIlby at Richard Poon and little did we know, less than a hundred na pala ang nakapirma sa Cornerstone Entertainment ni Erickson Raymundo.
Hindi lang manager ang papel ni Erickson sa mga alaga niya kundi all-around talaga siya bilang consultant, bestfriend, at ikalawang ama ng kanyang mga artists.
Fair si Erickson sa lahat ng talents niya, ke sikat o hindi pantay ang pagtingin niya at kung may mali ka ay pinagsasabihan niya kesehodang money-maker ka ng network o ng kumpanya niya, hindi uso ang stature ng artista kay Vision (tawag ng lahat sa kanya) dahil naniniwala siya na at the end of the day pantay-pantay lang ang lahat.
Maraming natutulungang nangangailangan si Erickson simula nang makilala namin siya pero hindi ito nasusulat o lumalabas dahil katwiran niya ang pagtulong ay hindi ipinagsasabi o ikinukuwento.
Kaya lang namin nalalaman ay dahil naikukuwento ng mga taong natulungan niya by accident kasi nga nahuhuli rin namin sa katatanong.
Babalikan namin si Erickson na baka puwedeng isulat si ganito o si ganyan na nabigyan niya ng tulong lalo na noong kasagsagan ng COVID-19 lockdown at sa maraming empleyadong nawalan ng trabaho sa pagsasara ng ABS-CBN.
Ang laging sagot sa amin, “’Wag na, hindi naman kailangan.” Kilala kami ng presidente at CEO ng Cornerstone na sa ibang paraan ay nasusulat pa rin namin at madalas din naming napipitik ang mga alaga niya pero hindi kami sinisita.
Ang katwiran niya, “Hindi kita puwedeng sitahin o pagbawalan kasi work mo ‘yan. Kung mali naman talaga ang talents namin pero sana mailabas din ‘yung side nila para balance.”
Ginagawa naman namin iyon na hinihingi namin ang kanilang side sa tuwing may isyu ang Cornerstone talents na sunud-sunod dati pero hindi kami sinasagot ng sinuman sa mga handlers o executive na sina Cynthia Roque, Mac Merla at ang PR head nilang si Caress Caballero. Iisa lang ibig sabihin, mas gusto nilang tahimik na lang para it will die naturally.
Kaya kapag nagkikita kami ni Erickson, “Uy hindi na kita sinagot sa mga tanong mo para hindi na humaba pa.”
Ganyan si Erickson, tahimik sa mga isyu, hindi sumasagot, hindi palaaway kaya nilalahat na namin, siya lang ang manager na kahit kaliwa’t kanan ang bumabatikos sa mga alaga niya ay dedma siya sa bashers.
Dahil ang katwiran niya, “Paano mo sasagutin ang walang mukha? Basta kami nagwo-work nang maayos, mas dito kami nagpo-focus mas productive pa.”
Tama naman kaya nga nakagugulat na ang mga alaga niya sa Cornerstone ay sikat lahat at ‘yung dalawang grupong ini-launch niya noong kalagitnaan ng 2022, ang girl group na G22 at boy group na VXON ay hataw ngayon sa ibang bansa.
Anyway, nag-post si Erickson sa kanyang Facebook page kung ano ang achievements ng Cornerstone talents niya sa buwan pa lang ng January, 2023 at labis siyang nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng taong nakatulong para maging posible ang lahat ng ito.
Aniya, “There’s always that feeling that January is an unusually long month as the holiday high wanes and everyone tries their best to set new goals for the entire year.
“I am grateful for us at Cornerstone, we hit the ground running and many good things are happening. Im honored to say that it’s been a really great start for us this 2023 and I’m genuinely excited for what’s in store for Cornerstone for the rest of the year. Sharing some of our artists’ highlights last January.
“CS HIGHLIGHTS (Jan 1-Jan 29, 2023)
“Catriona Gray served as a backstage commentator at the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans, USA.”
“Catriona Gray won Beat New Female TV Personality at the 35th PMPC Star Awards for TV.”
“Moira Dela Torre won the Wish Artist of the Year award and Wish Ballad Song of the Year award at the 8th WMA.”
“Moira Dela Torre released ‘Ikaw at Sila’ under Republic Records Philippines, her first release under the label.”
“Drag Den with Manila Luzon has concluded with a successful Coronation Night and Finale Concert. NAIA was crowned as the first-ever Pinoy Drag Supreme.”
“Zephanie’s rendition of the classic ‘Can This Be Love’ was released as part of the ‘Luv Is’ OST.”
“CORNERSTONE’S PPOP groups – VXON, G22, Yes My Love, AJAA – officially become a part of the Republic Records Philippines and UMG Philippines roster.”
“Piolo Pascual won Best Actor at the 2022 TAG Awards Chicago.”
“VXON bagged the bronze award for Band of the Year at the 2022 TAG Awards Chicago.”
“KZ Tandingan became a part of the Platinum Wishclusive Elite Circle for ‘Two Less Lonely People in the World’ (given to an artist whose Wishclusive performance has hit 75M views) at the 8th WMA.”
“MC Einstein became a part of the Gold Wishclusive Elite Circle for ‘Titig’ (given to an artist whose Wishclusive performance has hit 50M views) at the 8th WMA.”
“Yukii Takahashi co-starred in Mavx Productions’ ‘I Love Lizzy’ for her film debut.”
“Michael Sager is co-starring in the new GMA primetime series ‘Luv Is: Caught In His Arms.'”
“Gil Cuerva is co-starring in the new GMA afternoon series ‘Underage.'”
“Jason Marvin released ‘Oras’ with the MV starring Roxie Smith.”
“Inigo Pascual released the ‘Lockdown Sessions’ album under Tarsier Records.”
“Claudine Co released ‘Giliw’ under Just Music Philippines. The song is penned by Pop rock Superstar Yeng Constantino.”
BL series actor Paolo Pangilinan nagsalita na sa isyu nila ni Juan Miguel Severo
Ina Raymundo may poser sa FB: This impostor is selling items under my freaking name!