New directions for Mark Bautista

It has been seven years since Mark Bautista hitched a ride on a cargo boat to Manila to audition for the TV talent show Star For A Night. A lot has happened since then. He has acted in the movie, Lastik Man. He has done concerts here and in many places all over the world. He is a constant presence in local television, these days as a regular in the Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas. He has fulfilled many of his dreams and remains excited to fulfill more.

A case in point is his latest album, Nagmamahal by Mark Bautista. His fourth solo outing, the CD is made up of original songs by Filipino composers. Some are new, Buong Puso and Mayro’n Bang Muli by Vehnee Saturno; Ikaw Lang Sa Buhay Ko and Ang Pag-ibig Kong Ito by Tito Cayamanda; Buksan Mo by Chuckie Dreyfus; and May Gusto Ako Sa ‘Yo by Edwin Marollano. Some are covers of old favorites, Kahit May Mahal Ka Ng Iba by Saturno; Gusto Kita by Snaffu Rigor; Akala Ko by Dennis Garcia; Paano Bang Mangarap by George Canseco; and Nang Minsan Lang by Willy Cruz.

All nice going and Mark does the Tagalog songs very well. There are, however, two that turned out to be quite special. These are Ok Lang and Bakit and these were both written by new composer Mark. He has been dabbling in songwriting since his teen days with a choir in Cagayan De Oro but it was only this time that everything came together to his satisfaction. And take note, both songs have a pop-rock spin which he doubtless got into while performing with bands back home.

The rock influence must come as a surprise as he has always been categorized as a balladeer. But the songs are good. He is still lovelorn but also lots of fun and Mark’s performance is so natural. GMA 7 thought well of the songs, too. In fact, the network tapped Bakit to be the theme song of the TV series Gourmet. So lucky Mark on his first time out as a composer got a TV theme song, too.

Then there is the Tanghalang Pilipino revival of Noli Me Tangere, the Musical. He can sing which was why he was offered the lead role of Crisostomo Ibarra. But Mark had to do a lot of thinking before he agreed to do the show. For one, he remains insecure about his Tagalog and Noli with music by Ryan Cayabyab has lyrics by the National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera. And then, he has no theater experience whatsoever. Although he joined a theater group in school, his role was mostly as a stage hand and was never an actor.

But on the other hand, he thought, why not. It will be hard work but it was a great opportunity to try something new. Besides, he knew he would be among seasoned theater people. He will be alternating with his friend Gian Magdangal. Cris Villonco is Maria Clara. Bodjie Dasig is Padre Damaso and Al Gatmaitan is Padre Salvi. The director Audie Gemora was the first Ibarra opposite Regine Velasquez’s Maria Clara in the original production in 1995.

Thanks to them, Mark, the stage actor, has been playing to sold-out houses and getting good reviews for his work. His stage debut is a success. He hopes that he will be able to do another musical soon. How about El Filibusterismo? He should be ripe for that one by this time.

You can still catch Noli at the Bulwagang Gantimpala of the Cultural Center of the Philippines this weekend. Mark is set to do on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Aug. 27, 3 p.m.; and Aug. 28, 3:30 p.m. Gian Magdangal, the show’s other Ibarra performs on Aug. 27, 8 p.m.

Also how about a CD made up of his own compositions next.

Returning to his first love

Singing champion Jimmy Marquez, like Mark, has also joined the theater circuit. Unlike Mark though, this is a return to his first love. Jimmy, used to be very active in musicals. One of his most memorable roles was Riff in West Side Story. This was before joining Star In a Million five years ago where he placed third and which was soon followed by the Silver Medal victory at the prestigious Shanghai Music Festival. But he is back in the Atlantis Productions presentation of In The Heights. Jimmy plays the part of the neighborhood Piraguero, the street vendor of the coolest ice shavings.

Directed by Bobby Garcia In The Heights goes on stage at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium RCBC Plaza in Makati on Sept. 2 to 18. It stars Nyoy Volante, K-La Rivera, Jackielou Blanco, Ima Castro, Tex Ordonez, Calvin Millado and Felix Rivera.