Life as a pro
ERIC Tancontian Diao aka Erick Montre is a professional singer/composer/record producer and part-time host. Davao-born and raised, he is currently based in Osaka, Japan.
He’s been around in the entertainment world for the past 30 years. He travelled to Hongkong and Indonesia as a lead singer of different bands. He was a stageTV and concert hall performer at Holiday Inn Hotel, Philippine Plaza, Sheraton Hotel, Dusit Hotel, Araneta Coliseum, Philippine Icc, Folk arts Theater, Eat Bulaga, GMA SUPER SHOW and more.
As a singer he’s been through a lot as he already performed with some big nameds in the Philippines such as Jun Polistico, Lovely Rivero, Richard Reynoso, Lloyd Umali, Chad Borja, 747 Band, Pilita Corales, Max Surban, Yoyoy Villame, Arthur Manuntag, WADAB and a lot more.
He had also performed together with world renowned artists Christopher Cross, Peabo Bryson and Paul Williams.
“It just happened that I met then in a concert, then jamming. Ang feeling dili kabayran ug kwarta (The feeling cannot be repayed by money),” Diao said.
He said performs a wide variety of music from jazz down to standard, rock and roll, pop disco and more.
His music influences are The Earth, Wind and Fire, Stylistics, Manhattans, Barry White, the Temptations, Four Tops, Lou Rawls, Barry White, Matt Blanco, Chuck Berry and More.
In 1994, he was lucky to become a member of a boy band Flippers 3rd generation under Alpha records. This is the group who popularized the song Di Ako Iiyak.
As a composer, he started writing songs since his high school years in the early 80’s and on the year 2004 some of his songs were aired by ABSCBN during the Araw ng Dabaw. The song was entitled “Ciudad sa Dabaw” and performed by Yoyoy Idol Suave. Another song composition “Magkaisa sa Mundo” was used for Pasko Fiesta ni Mayor Rody Duterte performed by WADAB artists.
Another song still by him, “Ikaw ang Miss Universe Sa Puso ko”, was used for the Mutya ng Dabaw 2004, which he performed himself.
Six years ago, he released his self produced CD under Wadab records an Indie Label in Japan and it became a huge success. He followed this up in 2011 with “Girl from Ternopil”.
Diao is a son of a carpenter, who is proud of having helped build the newer building of Kapitan Tomas elementary school way back 1970s. His mother was a stay at home mom. He grew up in Catalunan Grander.
He discovered his talent when he was in grade school way back 1975, and since then he involved himself in every contests or in school programs.
Eric was only 15 years old when he started competing in amateur singing contests. He had his big break when he won as runner up for the Super Wheel Search for Singing Stars for the year’s 1983 and 1984.
He also became a three-week champ of Bagong Kampeon in 1986 and a grand finalist of Pasikatan sa Trese with Imelda Papin in 1994.
Diao remembers how he struggled hard as a local artist.
“In Davao there are a lot of talents but then there are very few opportunities for us. That is the reason I have to try my luck in Manila back in the early 80’s and luckily, I’ve got an offer to work in Olongapo in 1985 and since then nagtuloy-tuloy na and I would like to take opportunity to thank my brother Ronnie for helping me when I was still struggling during my early years in my music life,” Diao said.
Diao said that his brother Ronnie had a band in Olongapo which became his training ground on music.
After his brother’s band was disbanded he was hired as a regular band member / singer at El Camarote bar in Holiday Inn Manila.
It was in 1988, when his band got an offer to perform at Kyoto.
“Well ever since I was always dreaming about music and I just want to fulfill it in it in the land of the rising sun. As we all knew if you say Japan, sabi nila andito na halos lahat but it took me a lot of courage, hardwork, patience, sacrifice and hearthaches before I consider myself as a successful singer/composer/producer in Japan”
He said that Davao city formed a big part of where he had honed his skills and talent that is why he wants to go back here someday, it’s part of his dream to share his original compositions to the new pool of young talents.
Diao was born May 12, 1966. He is the youngest of 8 siblings of the family. He is currently living in Osaka Japan. He is married to Kumiko Hashimoto for 17 years and he is now a Japanese national. They have no kids but they have a (dog) their 8-year old little angel they named Brutus, a golden retriever.