Mark & The Soundtrack of His Life

On Friday, Aug. 9, Mark Bautista will mount The Sound of Love (produced by Viva Concerts) at the Music Museum, his first time to be onstage after his “baring/daring” turn in The Full Monty early this year, his second theater stint after Noli Me Tangere two years ago.

Said Mark of those two musicals, “It was really hard work. You have to memorize the script and all the songs and then you have to perform them live every time. You cannot make mistakes because we actors depend on each other,” adding with a blush, “in the case of The Full Monty, there was the final scene where we took off our clothes. At first, I was scared. And then, I thought, ‘If I have to take off my clothes as an actor, I might as well do it here.’ No regrets.”

It’s a different matter when he’s doing a concert.

“I don’t have to take off my clothes,” Mark said in jest.

In The Sound of Love, Mark will be in his element singing some old songs such as When I Fall in Love, Strangers in the Night, All The Way, Love Story, That’s All, Till and What a Wonderful World, plus Manila Sound classics Kailangan Kita (by George Canseco), Love Without Time (Willy Cruz) and Bato sa Buhangin (Ernani Cuenco and Snaffu Rigor).

“These songs are actually on my new album which is also called The Sound of Love,” said Mark. “I love old songs. They were the ones I learned while growing up. I realized that most of those in the audience also love them, so I asked my Viva Records bosses if I could do an album of standards.” 

Meanwhile, let’s play the soundtrack of Mark’s life, composed of the 20 songs that are memorable to him.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — The first song I sang in public when I was six years old, for my aunt’s wedding.

The Greatest Love of All — The first song that my mom taught me. I used to have a high-pitched voice when I was a kid.

Unchained Melody — My mom used to sing it to us magkakapatid when we were kids, especially during brown/blackouts.

My Fair Share — It’s my dad’s favorite. A lullaby for all of us kids. Pampatulog sa duyan sa aming lahat.

Goodbye (by Air Supply) — I remember singing it sa classroom when I was in Grade Six.

I Will Always Love You — This Whitney Houston song was a hit when I was in first year high school. My teacher asked me to sing it in front of the class as my introduction on the first day of school. They told me that I could sing daw and that was the first time they heard me sing. Up to now, I still remember their reaction, hehehehe!

Ako Ay Pilipino — I have become a suki in school programs. My teachers asked me to sing this song during the Linggo ng Wika celebration.

Yesterday — It was my audition piece when I applied for our school’s choir.

Sayaweh — The first Gary V song that I performed in school, with dance steps pa, hehehehe!

Giliw — The first Martin Nievera song that I learned and which I sang at the audition for Awittanghalan, a singing competition in Davao. Hay, I didn’t make it.

Aubrey — I taped this song, together with Rico J. Puno’s May Bukas Pa, as entry for the Metropop competition. I was rejected.

When You Say Nothing at All — This song by Ronan Keating became my anthem and my most-performed song in events. It suits my low voice perfectly.

After The Love Has Gone — One of my favorite Earth, Wind & Fire songs and the one that I frequently sang during my band days.

The Promise — One of my favorite Martin Nievera songs which I sing at weddings, events and even in lounges.

Love Always Finds a Way — My audition song for Star For A Night, the talent show that started my career.

Ngayon At Kailanman — The song I sang for the grand finals of Star For A Night and the first one I recorded for my album.

I Need You — It made me a certified recording artist with a hit.

Bakit — My first composition used for a TV series. It gave me a different feeling of fulfillment.

Bawat Hakbang — My first time to interpret a song for a songwriting competition. It won the grand prize at the first Philpop Music Festival.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing — My favorite song of all time.

(Note: For tickets to The Sound Of Love, call Ticketworld at 891-9999; Music Museum at 721-6726; and Viva Concerts at 678-7236. Prices: Gold P2,500; Silver P2,000; and Bronze P1,000.)

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