Christian Bautista remakes the hits of his idol

Christian Bautista launched his new album titled "Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan" the other day at the Linden Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The album, released under Universal Records, is a culmination of a two-year waiting process for Universal Records, which has long been wanting to sign up the romantic balladeer.

Christian was then tied up with Warner Music, but as soon as his contract with Warner expired, Christian and his management outfit, Stages, thought that it might be a good idea to expand their wings and strike a deal with a different record company.

The handsome balladeer admits getting pressured that he's doing a remake of the great songs composed and popularized by Jose Mari Chan. Giving him the added pressure is the idea of moving to a new record company. Besides, he admitted Jose Mari Chan is an idol of his. He said that in their house they have a copy of his best-selling albums namely "Constant Change" and "Christmas In Our Hearts."

One factor that made Christian join Universal's roster of talents was the prospect of doing a remake album of the hits of his idol. "It was one project that one cannot refuse. At first, I was really nervous in doing this album. Then of course, I am getting out of my comfort zone in signing up with a new record company. But it was step of a faith that we had to do and it was rewarding," said the singer.

Was there an effort on his part to sound different from the original version?

"Not really but I have to be cautious during the recording that I should not sound like the original and neither should I sound so different. Dapat eksakto lang talaga ang maging sound ko," he said. But Christian was in constantly in touch with Mr. Chan. They would call each other or text each other. He would thank Joe Mari for letting him sing his songs and Joe Mari would congratulate him for his rendition.

"He was really pleased when he heard the album. Before the album was brought to the factory, we got a master copy, which we sent to him so he could listen to it. I told him that I hope he likes it. I am nervous but I really hope that he'd be happy with what I did," Christian recalled.

"He texted me back saying that I sang it very well, that my voice is very soothing, and that he liked it."

One of the songs in the album is "Beautiful Girl" but more than two years after breaking up with former girlfriend Rachelle Ann Go, the balladeer has yet to find his beautiful girl.

"I am the type of guy who is just moving on and I am ready but I am not desperately searching but when she's there, who knows," he answered.

Plans of releasing Christian's new album "Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan" in Asia is already in the pipeline. Right after its release in the Philippines, Indonesia's biggest record label PT Aquarius Records (which also released Jose Mari Chan's "Constant Change" in the 80s) will release Christian's latest album. For the Indonesian release, Christian has recorded a duet entitled "Ngiti" (translated in Bahasa) with Indonesian female recording star Noryn Aziz. Album release in Malaysia and other Asian countries will follow suit.

The album comes with a 2010 Christian Bautista Photo Calendar Limited Edition, “Romance Revisited, The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan” Cd with free Minus One CD is available exclusively in all Odyssey outlets.

You can also download Christian Bautista MP3 tones. Text CHRISTIAN to 2366 to download MP3 tones. P30 for Globe and Smart subscribers. P25 for Sun subscribers.

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Bea Alonzo became really worried and concerned when she learned that Sam Milby met a vehicular accident recently.

News has it that the actor’s van was severely damaged. Good thing, Sam appeared unscathed. Upon hearing the bad reports, Bea, Sam’s partner in Your Song presents Someone to Love, urgently contacted the hunk actor to personally check on his condition.

“I was shocked nung narinig ko, so I immediately texted him to make sure na walang nangyari sa kanyang masama. When he replied na okay naman siya at wala naman nasaktan sa aksidente, I was relieved but I still thought of his car… bago lang kasi yun eh. Binili niya yun when we were doing And I Love You So. Sayang, dahil pinaghirapan niya yun,” Bea shared.

On the other hand, Sam feels very fortunate to survive the unforeseen danger.

On the next episode of Your Song, Melissa (Bea) and Morrie (Sam) start their pretend-for-the-benefit-of-each-other scheme. Melissa pretends to be Morrie’s secretary while Morrie plays Melissa’s boyfriend in front of Melissa’s ill father. But their plot won’t last long because Melissa suddenly wants the truth out.

What will Morrie do? Will he blurt out the real scenario to his girlfriend?

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Personal: I am calling out to my friends and colleagues in the showbiz industry—please don't believe the message coming from this account [email protected]. This is not my account. My old yahoo account was hacked and I could no longer gain access to it. You might receive an email saying that I am holed out in London and is in dire need of money. Some of my friends had received the said email. I am not in London and is neither soliciting money from anyone.

Please, please, don't believe the email coming from the account address [email protected].