The Song After The Star: Christian Bautista

He may not be the Star In A Million, but the 22-year-old third runner-up of abs-cbn’s Star in a Million television search Christian Bautista is en route to a dream his heart and soul has yearned for all these years.

In one of the local versions of those reality-based talent contests (American Idol in the US and Pop Idol in the UK) on TV, Christian was the crowd favorite and the one the young girls turn pink for everytime they see him.

Tall, with arresting Oriental looks, a bright smile and smooth voice, Christian has been busy with shows and guestings and a self-titled debut album with songs that "people do not expect me to sing".

"I was only seven when I started singing," begins Christian, or Ian to his close friends. "My mom encouraged me to join the Children’s Choir of our church in Imus, Cavite. Every month on a specific Sunday, the choir would sing religious and gospel songs. During my stay there, I honed my talent in singing."

Christian became a fixture of the church choir, subsequently joining the Youth Choir and the Young Adults Choir of which he remains an active member.

He took his singing beyond the four corners of their church’s hall. At the International Christian Academy in Sucat, where Christian attended high school, he found another outlet for his music.

"At that time, I started to like R&B and BoyzIIMen," he narrates. "I would sing favorite tunes during break time. Once, my classmate told me, ‘I know that song, too.’ So we sang together. Others who heard us joined and started jamming a capella with us. Eventually, we formed an a capella group."

Fast forward to when Christian finished Landscape Architecture at UP Diliman. Christian attended workshops held by theatrical production house Trumpets, and there gained a clearer view of what his love affair with music could mean.

"When I did The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for Trumpets in 2002, there were three of us whose birthdays coincidentally fell in October, three days apart," says Christian. "One of the guys named Allan Alojipan (broached) the idea to do a birthday concert–as in putting up a show where we could sing and perform. Since it sounded like a good idea, we ended up planning, getting sponsors and help from our friends and families (instead of selling tickets), renting lights and sounds. We rented the Stageworx of Shangri-La, which can seat around 200 persons. Carlo Orosa, now my manager, watched our performance and was delighted with what he saw. In one of my rehearsals, Carlo asked if I was interested to become a recording artist. Then I said, ‘I think so’."

From choir to a capella to Trumpets workshop, Christian soon found himself taking yet another step to stardom.

"One night, Carlo texted me that he wanted me to join a singing contest on TV. This was the Star in a Million of Channel 2," he shares. "At first, I was hesitant because I had never joined in singing competitions before. But he said that it was a new kind of singing contest patterned after American Idol. And so I agreed. I auditioned and got into the show."

Christian competed for several Sundays at ASAP, where Star in a Million was just a segment then. He got the nods of the judges by singing ballads, Josh Groban and Broadway songs. Christian became the first finalist of Star in a Million, this time not just in a segment but in a big show aired every Saturday afternoon.

"I was half disappointed, half content," recalls Christian of his feelings after he was eliminated. "Everytime I competed I would think that anything could happen in the show. I could be out this time or still remain and go on with another level. Why? The judgment always depends on the judges. I was ready for it."

Christian’s exit from the contest left many fans wondering when they could see Christian again. Little did they know that he was cooking up something special for them.

"After the show, I concentrated on my debut album," says Christian. "This time my manager and I went full force and were ready for it."

A recording contract with Warner Music Philippines that was put on hold because of a stipulation in Star in a Million preventing participants from signing a recording deal prior to joining the contest could now be pursued.

"The songs in my album are the ones people do not expect me to sing," says Christian. "They know me for singing classical tunes and the songs of Josh Groban. Here, I sing ballads with a twist of pop (as a treatment). However, the songs are not really that pop."

The tracks in his album, says Christian, are beautiful and well-chosen. Warner was picky with the songs. In fact, the company received contributions from local, big-time composers but didn’t accept some of them because of the album’s concept.

The record consists of 10 cuts, three of them in Tagalog, the rest English ballads. His favorite track, Christian says, is The Way You Look at Me.

"It is the kind of song one will like the first time one hears it," he explains. "It has a nice melody. It’s a love song that’s enchanting. I like its simplicity."

I have no favorites among specific types of music," says Christian. "I like all genres. My liking about music depends on my mood. I like Josh Groban or classical songs when I want to sing well and feel great about how things are turning out in my life. I go for R&B if I feel cool. If I want to get away from something, I listen to Bus Stop, especially when I’m unwell or a bit depressed."

With varied tastes in music, Christian–who considers Gary Valenciano, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban and Southborder’s lead vocalist Jay Durias his inspirations–believes that a singer must have his own identity.

"I’m a neo-pop balladeer," reckons Christian. "Ballads will be my forte because I like singing the melody. I also like to sing pop. Neo means experimenting. I always want to experiment. If I have an old, favorite song, I want to change some parts of its melody to give it a different approach. But I will make it a point that it will still sound good. As a singer, I can also do a bit of R&B. I like singing in falsetto sometimes."

Christian has appeared in commercials for Pop Cola and Double Mint, Nina’s recent MTV A Girl Can Dream and graced several TV shows.

"I would like to try my hand in acting for TV and theater again," says Christian. "I have done two major theater productions–mostly as part of the ensemble. I hope to do a lead role next time. I wish I can do a soap opera or a regular show."

For now, Christian wants to concentrate on his singing career and making the most of the chance Warner Music has given him. "For me, singing comes naturally," says Christian. "It is easy to do. I enjoy doing it."

Good thing too, because his growing number of fans would certainly like to hear more.