Come on, Stretch Mark!

If you stretch Mark Bautista from here to there, what will you get?

Nope. Not Lastikman, the stretching komiks character he’s playing in his movie debut (in a starring role at that), Lastikman, Viva Films’ entry in this month’s Metro Manila Filmfest, but what?

"My career plan," Mark provided the answer, his eyes disappearing into slits as he smiled. "I have so many plans and I have all the time to work hard to fulfill them."

Since he finished last year at the forefront of the talent search Star For a Night, along with Sarah Geronimo, life has never been the same for Mark who, during the contest’s pre-finals, had to take a slow boat from his native Cagayan de Oro City to Manila, a journey that has only started as far as Mark is concerned.

Star For a Night is a misnomer because Mark (and Sarah) have turned out not only as "stars for a night" but as Tomorrow’s Big Stars. After doing a series of successful concerts here and abroad, Mark and Sarah are paired in Lastikman (based upon the character created by the late Mars Ravelo), the champion of the oppressed and the downtrodden first played in the early ’60s by the late Von Serna (father of Snooky Serna) and two years ago also for the Metro Filmfest by Vic Sotto.

"Mark is perfect for the role of the simple-minded but big-hearted barrio boy granted super powers by a lifeless tree (victim of illegal loggers – how timely!)," said Mac Alejandre, the movie’s director.

"Mark is naive and endearing, very lovable like a typical probinsyano."

The boy who has junked his dream of becoming an architect is building his own showbiz castle both as a singer and as an actor.

"I never had any acting experience," admitted Mark whose baptism of fire came when he was cast opposite Sarah in the ABS-CBN soap Sarah, The Teen Princess. "But before the shooting of Lastikman, direk Mac did an acting workshop with us."

Very promising – that’s direk Mac’s verdict.

"Von Serna was an action star and he interpreted the Lastikman character in his own way," said direk Mac. "Being a comedian, Vic Sotto gave the character a comic touch. Mark is the youngest actor to play this kind of role; neither an action star nor a comedian but a singer. He did his own interpretation."

Okay. Stretch your imagination farther and visualize how, in sexy tights, Mark will soar to stardom on the wings of fantasy.

Were you fond of reading komiks when you were a kid?

"My sister used to rent local komiks, like Tagalog Klasiks and Pilipino Komiks, and I read along with her."

Did you have a favorite komiks character?

"Superman!"

When did you first hear about Lastikman?

"Last year when Vic Sotto played him in a movie. When I learned that I’d be playing Lastikman, I couldn’t believe it."

There was a report that Hero Angeles was being considered for the role (but ABS-CBN/Star Cinema didn’t lend him to Viva). Hiw did you react when you learned you were "it"?

"As I’ve said, ayokong maniwala. Why me? I asked myself. What did they see in me? But when Boss Vic told me backstage after the Night of the Champions presentation at the Araneta Coliseum, doon lang ako naniwala. I wanted to jump from joy. Para akong nauunat, like Lastikman."

How did you prepare for the role?

"I worked out. I watched action-fantasy movies like Spider-Man and Superman."

Didn’t you feel uncomfortable in your tight-fitting costume?

"Sometimes, especially in the beginning. It was then so tight-fitting that the first time I wore it on the set, I felt conscious...I was embarrassed. There were many people around, especially during outdoor scenes, kaya ayos ako nang ayos parati."

Didn’t you pad yourself in some parts?

"On the chest, but just a little bit."

Was it hard acting in that costume?

"Very uncomfortable sometimes. It’s a good thing that the material used is spandex, ‘yung stretchable."

Which part did you find fun, enjoyable?

"A lot! Every scene kasi ang feeling ko importante, so I did my best and I enjoyed playing the part."

You enjoy working with Sarah, obviously. You’ve done shows together not only here but abroad (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco).

"Masarap siyang katrabaho. Magaan."

That was your first trip to the US. What were some of your fond memories?

"I lost my suitcase at the (La Guardia) airport in New York when we were leaving for Chicago. Memorable sa akin ‘yon. Instead of going to the departure area, doon kami napunta sa arrival area where we unloaded our luggage. Then, we had to reload the suitcases when we realized our mistake. Hayun, naiwan ang maleta ko. Luckily, I didn’t put any valuables inside, only clothes that I was using for the show." (It was Baby Navarete, producer of the show, Night of the Champions, in Chicago, who bought a new set of clothes for Mark. – RFL)

Is it true that you "disappeared" during your first night in New York? Where did you go?

"Christian (Bautista) and Rachelle Ann (Go) were shooting a music video and they didn’t know that I tagged along. It was at Times Square. I forgot to ask the permission of Tita June (Torrejon, of Viva Concerts, Inc. who acted as the Mother Hen). I took a stroll. They thought that I went missing."

What else did you see in the US?

"We had a tight schedule but we found time to go around. We went to Disneyland in L.A., we visited the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and we had pictures taken at Ground Zero in Manhattan. The fans were nice. Ang daming nagbibigay ng kung anu-ano. Sobrang generous sila."

Was that US trip one of your dreams come true?

"Oo naman. I used to say that makapunta lang ako sa States puede na akong...I thought it was an impossible dream."

What other dreams of yours have been realized?

"Madami. I became a singer...My album turned ‘gold’...and now I’m doing a movie. I’m so happy that I can’t describe my feeling."

What was your childhood dream?

"To be an architect. But I didn’t finish college; hanggang third year lang ako (at a Cagayan de Oro university)."

What kind of childhood did you have?

"I come from a middle-class family. My father worked as a seaman, so medyo nakakaluwag kami. But he got sick and stopped working. That’s when we began going through some hardships. I’m the third among five children. My mom earned extra income from her small business."

When you came to compete in the Star For a Night search, was it your first trip to Manila?

"No. The first time was when I was in grade school. I finished as an honor student and my mom brought me to Manila as my reward. The second time was when I joined a boy band in Cagayan de Oro, called Men’s Square. We were supposed to apply for a stint in Japan pero hindi natuloy."

Do you remember the first song that you ever sang?

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I was nine years old then. It was at the wedding of my uncle. I didn’t understand what the lyrics meant; I just memorized them. It was my mom who taught me the song. I was very shy then. While I was singing, I hid behind a post, so everybody was wondering kung sino ‘yung kumakanta. They were surprised to discover na bata palang maliit ang kumakanta."

Aside from you and your mom, who else in the family sings?

"My brother. My sister, whose voice is operatic, sings with a choir. We are a very Catholic family."

How did you get into Star For a Night?

"I auditioned in Cebu with hundreds of others. My audition piece was Love Always Finds a Way (by Peabo Bryson)."

As a Star For a Night winner, what prizes did you get?

"A contract with Viva, good for five to 10 years yata, I’m not sure. SM gift checks worth P20,000 and P3,000 cash prize courtesy of Nescafé (as a special award)."

Being busy with concerts and the shooting of Lastikman, have you decided to put your love life "on hold"?

"I used to have a girlfriend back in Cagayan de Oro. After Star For a Night when I moved to Manila, we broke up. Ayaw niya ng may distance. She’s a student in Cagayan de Oro. Now, I’m free – but not available. Work muna."

Haven’t you received any, you know, indecent proposal?

"I did, when I was playing with the band at a bar in Cagayan de Oro. The proposals came from matrons and gays, but I didn’t mind them. Nakikipagbiruan lang ako sa kanila. I was with the band for two years."

What’s your Christmas wish?

"Sana kumita ang Lastikman."

• Name: Mark Bautista

• Height: 5’8"

• Weight: 150 lbs.

• Birthday: Aug. 10, 1982

• Zodiac Sign: Leo

• Parents: Leon Darny Bautista and Susan Arazo

• Siblings: Ryan O’Neal, Princess Alodia, Nigel Adrian and John

• Educational Attainment: Third year (Cagayan de Oro College)

• Color of Eyes: Brown

• Color of Hair: Brown

• Distinguishing Mark: Mole on the chin

• Crush(es): Amanda Griffin and Heart Evangelista ("Used to be")

• Ideal Girl: Sweet, fun-loving, malambing and with sense of humor

• Actor: Albert Martinez

• Actress: Vilma Santos

• Movie: Period movies (Gladiator, etc.)

• Perfume: Clinique Happy and Lacoste

• Song: Many, especially Love Moves in Mysterious Ways

• Food: Seafood and vegetables

• Expression: (Unprintable)