By Jemuel Cainglet Salterio
Today’s generation is perhaps not aware that long before Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz became a TV director for “Goin’ Bulilit” on ABS-CBN, he joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan” at age 13 in 1967 and became consecutive champions for years.
Nora Aunor came ahead of him and they were first paired onstage as singers before the Vilma Santos-Edgar Mortiz tandem became known.
“’Yung mga hindi nakakakilala sa akin sa simula, ako ang nakauna kay Nora Aunor,” Edgar smilingly shared. “Mali yata ang sabi ko. Ang ibig kong sabihin, ako ang naging unang kapareha ni Nora Aunor sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan.’
“Then, nagkaroon kami ng love triangle with Tirso (Cruz III), so nawala ako. Balik ulit ako sa pagkanta. Then nung nasa ABS-CBN ako at may show kami doon na ‘Operetang Putol-putol,’ doon ko nakita si Vilma Santos. Kaya ako din ang naging unang partner ni Vilma.”
Two years ago, before Edgar turned 68, he thought of recording an all-standards album and release it on vinyl before he turns 70. The man has been away from the limelight and detached from singing for decades.
“I started singing standards ever since,” Edgar disclosed. “Wherever I was then, I always did standards. After a while, when the eighties came, the likes of Madonna came into the music scene. They asked me to change my genre.
“The public had different music tastes at that time. They became more mature. So, I thought, why will I still sing if that’s not what I like? So I stopped singing when the eighties came. I no longer performed solo onstage. I sang mostly with groups.”
Eventually, Edgar had forgotten about singing. Through the years, he became a TV director, producer and still part-time actor.
“I would just sing at home,” he shared. “Up to this day, I still have my sound system and vinyl collection at home. My grandchildren would see my records and they would ask me to play them. I refused.”
His vinyls are all in good condition and still working. “I have a lot of vinyl records at home, mostly standards,” Edgar said. “Some were even from the sixties. Vinyl is coming back. There are sales of vinyls everywhere.
“Vinyls last a long time. They don’t get worn out. You need low maintenance to take care of the records.”
Thanks to Curve Entertainment recording executive Narciso Chan, who gave his nod to release Edgar’s all-standards album.
“I asked for Ciso’s help,” Edgar recalled. “I told him, kumanta ako sa Ipad and made him listen to the tracks. I asked Ciso, ‘Boss, pwede pa ba ko? I want to release an all-standards album.’ So we produced it.”
Edgar added, “That was what I wanted. ’Yun ang trip ko noon. The album had always been a passion project that has been brewing through my heart and mind. Those are songs which became part of my life then. Like when I became broken hearted, I had a song for that.”
His voice glides through all the standard tracks in the album. “You And Me (We Wanted It All),” “All My Tomorrows” — “I met my wife (Millet Santos-Mortiz) and I had no work at that time” — He also sang the ballad in the wedding of Al Tantay.
Edgar included “Somewhere in Your Heart” for his Ninong Ron (Fernando Poe, Jr.), “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?,” “You Will Be My Music,” “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?,” “You Turned My World Around” and “That’s Life.”
“All the songs have meaning in my life,” Edgar pointed out. “I chose all the songs which are my favorites from the time I was a teenager. Bata pa ako kinakanta ko na ‘yung mga standard songs.”
The album was finished last February so Edgar comes full circle now that “Goin’ Standard” is released. “I am turning 70 this August 30,” said Edgar. “Umabot naman ang album.
“The tracks are not perfect, but I told Ciso, ituloy natin ‘yan. If we want to make the songs perfect, I think kaya naman with today’s technology. How I really felt at the time I was recording, that was what’s important to me.”
At the recent album listening party of the eight-track “Goin’ Standard,” recorded by Pro-Ject Audio System, Edgar’s family and friends in and out of the entertainment industry arrived in droves and supported him. The event was held at The Gallery Bar of Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“Goin’ Standard” is now available in all digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and more. The vinyl can be ordered at Backspacer Records. 2F D’Ace Plaza, United St. corner Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
