Right on the Mark
By Arlene Paredes
Inquirer
The following article was published on page C4 of the June 20, 2007 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
It takes more than just voice, looks and talent to create a mark in the music industry; one needs to be a fiery, passionate dreamer with a serious sense of discipline to be a truly remarkable performer.
In his “reMARKable” concert last May 31 at Club O (formerly Dish) at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City, Mark Bautista took his audience on a little journey down memory lane, singing covers of 1980’s hits from his latest album entitled “Every Now and Then.”
“Every Now and Then,” Mark’s third album from Viva Records, contains 12 tracks—all of which are Mark’s favorite English and OPM hits from the 1980s, including the carrier single, a remake of Angela Bofill’s “Break It To Me Gently,” which was re-arranged by Mon Faustino.
“This is my most favorite album so far kasi personal favorites ko ‘yung songs, at saka ang ganda ng arrangement ng bawat kanta,” Mark said.
The other songs in the album are “Every Now and Then,” “These Dreams,” “Got to Let You Know,” “Naaalala Ka,” “Kasalanan Ko Ba?” “I Don’t Want You to Go,” “Hold On,” “I’ll Be Over You,” “It’s All Behind Us Now,” “Special Memory” and “See You There.”
Eloisa Matias produced all the tracks except for the carrier single, which was produced by Mon Faustino.
Aside from his third album, the most recent milestone in Mark’s career is becoming the new image model of Le Froge. Mark said, “Even before Le Froge sponsored my clothing, ganu’ng style na talaga ang preferred ko. ‘Yung hindi lang panlakad, nagagamit ko pa talaga sa shows ko. Stylish at edgy ang Le Froge kaya it gives me even more confidence on stage.”
Incidentally, Le Froge is one of the major sponsors of his “reMARKable” concert in Club O.
Mark is also included in “Paano Kita Iibigin,” a light drama/romance movie co-produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, starring Piolo Pascual and Regine Velasquez.
Piolo and Regine, who both came to watch Mark in his concert, wound up singing the movie’s theme on stage after much prodding from the rest of the audience. Mark later on joked that the movie was a hit because he was there.
Humble beginnings
At Club O, Mark got a bit nostalgic as he shared with his audience his humble beginnings as a singer, recalling his own “boyband” gigs in small bars in his home province of Cagayan de Oro.
“Dati, hindi kasing-ganda ng Club O mga kinakantahan ko,” he said, apparently still amazed at the cinematic turn of events in his life. After all, his mother had to ask a friend from a cargo ship to allow him to board for free to get to the weekly competition because they lacked the needed fare for the ride from Cagayan De Oro to Manila. Just a few months later, he emerged as Sarah Geronimo’s runner-up in the grand finale of the now defunct “Star for a Night” on IBC 13.
The sexy heartthrob image that Mark is now known for is in stark contrast to the pale and thin young man that wowed the judges and the audience of “Star for a Night” five years ago.
Since Viva Records saw Mark’s natural singing talent and raw passion for music, the studio took good care of him, and helped him all the way. Now, Mark is not just a singer, but a multimedia performer.
Soon enough, studio albums, TV shows, endorsements and movies came streaming toward Mark’s way, along with several concerts across the world.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na ibe-bless ako ni God ng ganu’n,” Mark said. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos at talagang iniingatan ko lahat ng binibigay Niya.”
Today, Mark has finished building a stylish home in Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, with more than enough room for him and his family. Evidently, the trip from his hometown in Cagayan de Oro to Manila will never be a problem again.
On June 21, Mark will be leaving for his second European tour with Sarah Geronimo. Another US tour will soon follow. Does Mark Bautista still wish for more?
“Sa totoo lang, masaya na ko nu’ng nakapag-release ako ng first album. Pero kung ibibigay ni Lord ang isang acting award someday, tsaka isang studio album na major hit talaga, alam ko sobrang happy ko na nu’n.”
Asked about his lovelife, Mark smiled sweetly, and said, “I’m just hoping for the best.” I’m sure that his loved ones, as well as his fan base here and abroad are all hoping for nothing but the best for this remarkable talent, too. (2bU! link here)
For more information on Mark Bautista, log on to www.markbautista.com.
E-mail the author at crypticmess@gmail.com
