Christian Bautista has 'longing' for int'l theater break

MANILA, Philippines — Christian Bautista admits breaking through the international theater scene—like what Rachelle Ann Go and Mark Bautista accomplished this year—is also one of his dreams.

Rachelle currently plays GiGi in London's West End revival of the musical "Miss Saigon," while Mark is part of the Imelda Marcos-inspired musical "Here Lies Love."

"Kung magkaroon ng the right role for me, e darating din sa tamang panahon. So habang wala pa, mag-focus muna ako dito sa Philippines," Christian told entertainment reporters during the launch of his newest album "Soundtrack" on Thursday.

The singer added he is "very happy" with what he is doing in GMA-7. He is currently doing three shows for the network: the dance show "Marian," the variety show "Sunday All Stars," and the primetime soap opera "Strawberry Lane."

"So dito muna, home base muna. Baka next year yung international," he said.

Christian is unfazed by talks that Rachelle and Mark are already ahead of him in terms of their work in theater and their international singing careers. 

The GMA-7 artist actually started his showbiz career through theater. Before he joined the ABS-CBN reality show "Star In a Million," Christian appeared in the local stage adaptation of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe."

Like Christian, Rachelle and Mark are both products of reality talent shows. But they're not out to compete with each other, he explained.

Christian Bautista talks to the press during the launch of his latest album, “Soundtrack.” Philstar.com/Chuck Smith

"Kanya-kanyang view naman yan, kanya-kanyang pananaw. Ang lagi ko rin sinasabi is, 'pag na-compare kami sa isa't isa, talo na kaming lahat," Christian said. "So dapat, kahit hindi maiiwasan na i-compare kami, ang iniisip na lang namin, may kanya kanya kaming daan na dapat daanan."

"So baka nauuna yung iba ngayon, yung iba nag-pit stop muna. Depende rin sa kanya-kanyang daan. Dapat suporta lang."

Noting that he was already to penetrate the Southeast Asian market in the past, Christian said where an international break happens depends on each artist.

"Yung international break nga is iba-iba also. So some are focused in Southeast Asia, some are in London. So, may pressure ba? Wala naman. May longing? Yeah. So sana, someday, kung para sa akin, ay maabot ko yun," he explained.

Christian spoke to members of the press to promote "Soundtrack," his first album in more than two years.

The album is comprised of Christian's covers of popular movie theme songs, such as "A Thousand Years," "Kiss From a Rose," "Cruisin'," and "Come What May."

"I'm very, very grateful, especially this season," Christian said. "Nakakapagod but you feel the value. So talagang ang sarap na binibigyan ako ng opportunity," he said.