Christian Bautista sharessStage with Asian music stars in Indonesia

Christian Bautista recently performed alongside Indonesia’s Andre Hehaussa, a singer and songwriter, and India’s Mark Lazaro, lead vocalist of Indian band Karimasix, in the 1st Asian Beach Games held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park, Bali, Indonesia.

“We needed prominent male singers from other Asian countries and Christian Bautista is a name everyone knows. There is no reason for us not to pick him,” said Tanta Hiaiya, Indonesian director of the games’ opening ceremonies.

The three singers, introduced as “The Asian Divos,” sang “To Be One,” an original Indonesian song composed for the event. A 70-piece orchestra, conducted by musical director and songwriter Erwin Gutawa, accompanied the performers.

The President of Indonesia, H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and a crowd estimated at 4,000 were present.

Local media and Trans TV extensively covered the 2-hour main event. Also present were correspondents from ESPN, and Star Sports.

The opening ceremonies’ main stage stands before a massive and elaborately sculptured Balinese eagle, called the Garuda. Behind the Garuda is the famous mountain-sized Vishnu statue. In front is a lit staircase, which leads to a man-made beach where sand and water flows.

Around 1,000 dancers have opened the event. They performed cultural dances in opulent costumes with props and colorful banners that depict the history of Indonesia from the 7th century to present.

A parade of athletes from 45 Asian countries, competing in 19 beach sports events, concluded the affair. 

It was reported that the Bali National Asian Beach Games Committee has spent a whopping US$3 million for the ceremonies. It is by far the biggest national event in Indonesia this year.

Oman, Muscat in the Middle East will host the 2nd Asian Beach Games in 2009.