Blessings continue to pour on Christian Bautista

Christian Bautista adds another feather to his cap, as he makes it to the Grand Final's Night of "Indonesian Idol" on August 12 as one of the competition's celebrated guests. He will sing his hit song The Way You Look At Me, Bahasa Cinta with female finalists, and a duet with last season's "Indonesian Idol" grand winner Delon. Christian is also set to record two Indonesian songs in English written by top Indonesian composer and most valuable musician-arranger, Andi Rianto.

His album in Indonesia has so far reached Platinum, selling 75,000 copies, yet Warner Music Indonesia is planning to release Christian's re-packaged album there, including newly-produced videos of Hands to Heaven and Colour Everywhere.

Negotiations are also open with one of the telecommunications companies in Indonesia about the possibility of marketing the ring tones and ring backs of Christian's voice and songs. And that's not all, Warner Music is all set to release his album in neighboring countries Thailand and Malaysia before the year ends.

Christian scored big with his debut album, thanks to his hit single The Way You Look At Me, which broke records locally and has now reached Quadruple Platinum record status. He has several chart-topping singles, sold-out concerts both here and abroad and numerous endorsements tucked under his belt. He's really everywhere but none of these could compare to the success he has achieved as one of the youngest and established performers to hit it big in the international scene.

"Of course, I am really happy and I really feel blessed. Everything is happening so fast. God is really good and I am really excited in releasing and promoting my album all over Asia," said Christian.

He has also invaded television by teaming up with Anne Curtis on "Kampanerang Kuba" and showing good onscreen chemistry together. A movie might also come up featuring Christian as the male lead. But this doesn't mean he would be devoting less time to singing. He's now currently working on his second album and Ricky Ilacad, Warner Philippines' managing director, is positive this will surpass the success of Christian's debut album.

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Based on a text message that I got, could it be true that Bong Revilla is having an affair with Jopay a.k.a. Josephine Canonizado, a former Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder? The message sender alleges Lani and the people around her are aware of this. The message also alleges that Bong and Jopay have been together for a year. "Mahilig naman talaga kumabit ang babaeng iyan sa may-asawa. Walang delicadeza," read the end part of the text message.

Fortunately for Sen. Bong Revilla and his family, no one would like to believe this text message and other follow-up text messages that have been going around, tending to discredit Bong, Lani and their family.

By the way, Bong's sitcom "Idol Ko Si Kap" will soon undergo a reformat. The people behind the show believe it's high time for the show to initiate some changes since the show's ratings have been going down. According to rumors, some cast members would be replaced as part of the changes to be instituted in the program. But how true is it that those affected the most by the change are the senior members of the cast? According to rumors, they would be the first ones to be replaced.

Even if "Idol Ko Si Kap" was able to recover from the ratings the last few weeks, the staff believes it is high time that changes be made in the show so that the televiewers won't get tired of it and stopping it from further dipping in the ratings. If drastic moves have to be made to salvage the program, so be it.

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In the Awit Awards held Wednesday night at the Manila Hotel, Gary Valenciano won the Best Male Concert Performance in a Major Venue for "Thankful" Concert and Entertainer of the Year, plus a Hall of Fame Award.

"Thankful" was Gary V's 40th birthday concert held at the Araneta Coliseum last year. Gary and wife Angeli P. Valenciano celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last Saturday, August 6, which also happens to be Gary's 41st birthday.

Incidentally, Candy Pangilinan also won Best Stand Up Comedy Act award.