Mark Bautista recalls humble beginnings ahead of 21st anniversary concert

From his modest beginnings in Cagayan de Oro to placing runner-up to Sarah Geronimo in the TV singing competition “Star for a Night” in 2002, Mark Bautista has since established himself as a singing star in the music scene. He is going to celebrate his 21st anniversary in showbiz via a solo concert entitled “Mark My Dreams” on Aug. 31 at The Theatre in Solaire.

In a presscon, the 41-year-old crooner recalled the best and most challenging moments throughout his decades-long career.

One of the most memorable moments for him was when he did theatrical stints abroad and starred in the 2004 superhero film “Mars Ravelo’s Lastikman: Unang Banat.”

“When I went to London for (‘Here Lies Love’) at the Royal National Theater, I felt that it was very rare to perform at the National Theater and I was given the opportunity to perform. I really treasured it,” the pop balladeer shared.

“When Viva, si Boss Vic (del Rosario Jr.), gave me ‘Lastikman,’ it was unforgettable for me. Because until now, there are some who would forward (movie clips). May mga bata pa rin na nakakapanood so nakakatuwa. And I think, also in theater, I’m very blessed to be given such projects,” he added.

The most challenging part of his career was when GMA Network’s variety show “Sunday All Stars” ended. He was one of the program’s mainstays as co-host and performer. He flew to New York City to study music video editing after the show went off air.

“I went to school because parang nataranta ako, like, ‘What would I do?’ The show was put off air kasi matagal akong nag-Sunday show. So from ‘ASAP’ to GMA, continuous kasi yung Sunday show and then it ended abruptly. I didn’t know what to do.”

But it came as a “blessing in disguise” as Mark was offered by their New York-based director to reprise his role as Ferdinand Marcos in the David Byrne musical “Here Lies Love” in Seattle in 2017. “And I told myself that, what they said was true, you have to show up for the opportunities, sometimes. It was like dapat makita ka para maalala ka.”

Among the things that he would still like to achieve in his profession is to do a Cinemalaya film to test his acting skills, pen a hit song for a new artist and make an original track. He also forayed into directing for the stage with the concert “Mr. Streisand.”

To mark his showbiz milestones, he is staging his latest solo concert after nine years. “This is the concert where I will show everything. That’s why it’s called ‘Mark My Dreams’ because these are the dreams that came true. Even dreams from before that didn’t materialize and my future dreams, I will share them (through the concert).”

The main focus of the music gig is retelling his showbiz journey, from how he started, his aspirations and how he overcame the challenges that he went through.

“I just want people to be inspired after watching the show,” he told The STAR. “I think that’s the basic that I want to convey to the audience because everything started with a dream. And I hope they will get inspired sa lahat ng naging journey ko. From how I started to now. Kung ano yung future na gusto nilang gawin.

“I hope that they will get inspired through my story, from my humble beginnings in Cagayan de Oro who knows nothing and how I survived my 20 years in showbiz.”

“Mark My Dreams” will also feature guests, namely, fellow CDO artist Arthur Nery, Katrina Velarde, Rob Deniel, and Mark’s favorite mentor and singing partner Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.  The show’s director is GB Sampedro with musical direction by Nico Rivero.

Meanwhile, when it comes to his relationship status, Mark is currently single but he goes on dates. “I’m dating but I’m not into a relationship yet… (I’m) super excited kung sino yung pwede ko nang i-hard launch,” he said with a laugh.

“But for now, I’m enjoying my life.”

He also admired good-looking celebrities but didn’t name any. “May mga taga-showbiz na na-appreciate mo na good-looking or something pero hanggang dun lang eh.”

(Tickets to ‘Mark My Dreams’ are priced at P7,500, Platinum; P6,500, SVIP; P5,500, VIP; P3,500, Gold; P2,500, Lower Balcony; and P1, 500, Upper Balcony. For ticket inquiries call Viva Live (02) 8687-5853 local 841 or 0955-0171799 or, www.ticketworld.com.ph.)