Mark’s star shines not only for a night

Four years after Mark Bautista bowed to Sarah Geronimo as the grand champion of Star for a Night, his star incessantly shines bright to this day.

Numerous concerts here and abroad, albums that sell like hotcakes and awards from various award-giving bodies prove Mark has already attained the goal of making a name in a field where the likes of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano excel. Viva helped Mark realize his dream when it signed him to a recording contract. But Mark would have never expected he would also clinch numerous roles for film and TV. Even product endorsements are on his list of credentials.

"I’m glad these things are happening to me. Singing is truly my passion and acting is a great bonus for me," he says.

Indeed, Mark endeared himself more to the public when he starred opposite Sarah on Sarah, The Teen Princess. His character Baste was etched in Juan dela Cruz’s mind. To this day, Pinoys abroad fondly call him Baste.

However, just like his dedication to singing where constant practice is a must, Mark harnessed his acting skill through workshops he religiously attended under direk Peque Gallaga. It benefited him no end when he appeared in his movie debut, Annie B. and Viva’s 2004 filmfest entry, Lastikman.

Come January, Mark will star in his third teleserye after Sarah, The Teen Princess and Anne Curtis’ topbiller Kampanerang Kuba. He is cast on ABS-CBN’s Sana Maulit Muli, a dramaserye that tells a different kind of love story. He plays Francis Marquez, a singer at night and a badminton teacher of Monica Johnson (Gloria Diaz) by day. The two fall for each other, leading to a May-December affair.

When asked if he will fall for an older woman in real life, Mark says, "It depends. If the woman does not look her age, then why not and if she’s too caring and kind, that would be possible."

However, the possibility of falling in love with someone older is bleak at this moment as Mark has been playing sweet music for three months now with a non showbiz girl.

The 25-year-old Pop Heartthrob admits that as being Sarah’s perennial partner in concerts and shows, most people especially Pinoys abroad think something special is going on between them.

"It’s just natural for a guy to develop a special feeling for someone like Sarah, but the thing is we are just on-screen partners," he says. "Her mom is so protective of her," he adds.

Besides, Sarah is not yet ready to fall in love as she focuses more on her career more than anything else.

And Mark understands, as he himself is not yet ready on certain things like posing for a sexy magazine. The sexiest he has gone so far was the MTV of his second single, You Win the Game, with Vanna Garcia.

The architecture undergraduate from Cagayan de Oro, who hitched a ride in a ship to fulfill his dream of becoming a singer, has already gone far. He shares with his family whatever blessing he has.

"I already had our house in Cagayan renovated and my parents (Darni and Susan) are managing a fine dining restaurant which they named after my first TV character – Baste," he shares.

Mark is likewise ready to move in to his P6-M four-bedroom house in Don Jose Heights with his brother and sister.

He and Sarah will fly to Japan for a show in January. Mark shares the stage again with Sarah in Qatar by February and in March, the two will be with Ai Ai de las Alas in Dubai.

As if these are not enough, Mark is set to release his third album under Viva Records. A second major concert, after the hit Pop Heartthrob, is likewise in the offing.

On TV, Mark is among the hosts of A.S.A.P. and will be seen on Sana Maulit Muli which airs starting Jan. 8.

With a lot in store for Mark come 2007, his star truly shines not only for a night.