Christian says thank you

Life is just beautiful and it has been another very good year. So Star in a Million alumnus Christian Bautista will say a heartfelt "thank you" to fans with a two-night concert series at the Music Museum in Greenhills. Aptly entitled Heartfelt, the show will be held on Nov. 11, Friday and Nov. 12, Saturday. Unlike his previous concert outings, this one will be an intimate evening of love songs personally chosen by Christian and the ones most requested by his fans. Among them are Is It Okay If I Call You Mine, Back at One, One Last Cry, If Ever You’re in My Arms Again and Kiss from a Rose.

Christian was one of the finalists but failed in his bid to win the title in the Star in a Million talent contest two years ago. The judges probably thought his mellow style didn’t belong to singing jousts. The prize went to Erik Santos. But as things turned out, losing was the best thing that happened to Christian. He may not be suited to vocal duels but he is just right for recording. He got a hit album and a No. 1 song, The Way You Look at Me soon after he was sent home and he has been on an easy, smooth trip to the top ever since.

This was followed by more hits like Colour Everywhere, Hands to Heaven and his recording with Rachelle Ann Go, (You and Me) We Wanted It All. Christian and the Search for a Star champ are dating exclusively but no other duets are set in the near future. His debut album has gone platinum in Indonesia, No. 1 in Thailand and selling briskly in Malaysia.

On the homefront, Christian, thanks to his quiet charm and wholesome image, is a popular product endorser. You see him on billboards all around town. He remains a mainstay in the variety show ASAP ‘05 and is one of Anne Curtis’ leading men in the fantasy soap series Kampanerang Kuba. His second album is in the works and this one might include some of his own compositions. Of course, there will be more concerts here and abroad.

Christian is happy and successful, so allow him to say his heartfelt "thank you."

Heartfelt is directed by Audie Gemora with musical direction by IJ Garcia. It also features as guest artists Nikki Gil, the pretty MYX VJ and Coca-Cola Girl who also sings, and Sam Concepcion, the Star for the Month of the talent show for kiddies, Little Big Star. Tickets priced at P600 and P1,000 are available at Ticketworld 891-9999; Music Museum 721-6726; and STAGES 818-1111 local 225.

They’re also doing well

Meanwhile, in spite of the popularity of bands, things are also going great for the other products of local singing contests. Mark Bautista is now the biggest threat to the popularity of new rock bands, thanks to his moving version of I Need You. The first single out of Mark’s Dream On CD has been giving the bands a big run for their money in the airlanes and saleswise these days.

Erik Santos has a new hit with the original I’ll Never Leave You. Sarah Geronimo is getting ready to release the live recording of The Other Side, her successful concert held last September at the Big Dome on CD and DVD. Also, watch out for the release of Rachelle Ann Go’s second album this November where one of the highlights will be a duet with Mark Bautista.

Tower/Music One Top 10

Memories of Love: Live featuring Kevyn Lettau and Joe Pizzulo continues to lord it over the Tower Records and Music One hit list after eight weeks in the market. Expect the CD to stay on top for a few weeks more now that Pizzulo is due back in the Philippines for another show at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 19. This time around, he will be with the perky Teri de Sario of Fallin’ and It Takes a Man and a Woman fame.

Other titles in the Tower/Music One Top 10: Versions and Beyond by M.Y.M.P.; Nina Live by Nina; Party on Weekends by Various Artists; Chillout Project: Sisters of the Sun by Various Artists; American Idiot by Green Day; Hale by Hale; Halina Sa Parokya ni Edgar by Parokya ni Edgar; Chillout Project: House Sessions 2 by Various Artists; and When I Fall in Love by Chris Botti.