A tale of two heartthrobs

MANILA, Philippines - Christian Bautista and Markki Stroem, both excelling in the field of acting and singing, have reached significant points in their showbiz run with career milestones. 

The former was adjudged the winner of the first Élan Awards which bestowed the title of Modern Filipino Gentleman to the celebrity top vote-getter based on an online fan poll. The latter has been heavily exposed in movie projects showcasing his versatility as an actor. 

“This award means a lot to me. Being a gentleman for me is being available to fellowmen which means loving them more than yourself,” shared Bautista last month after he was officially announced as the winner of the online competition spearheaded by McJIM Classic Leather. 

The singer who just renewed his recording contract with Universal Records beat other celebrity finalists for the title, including those who ended up in the Top Five ranking, namely, Xian Lim, Dingdong Dantes, Coco Martin and Chris Tiu. 

2013 Élan Awards Project head Chris Cahilig revealed that Christian topped the three criteria considered by voters — elegance of style, refinement and accomplishment. His fans in Indonesia provided extra help in compiling votes needed to secure his victory. Chris related, “Mr. Bautista has an international fan base and he shows us that the Filipino stands proud and can hold his own with any other race or nationality.” 

Asked to where he attributes the victory, the Kapuso talent pointed out, “I must be doing a good job as model to others or maybe I’m not that too controversial or explosive on the negative things. What struck me about this accolade is the fact that it is about who I am and not about my popularity.”

The newly-named Modern Filipino Gentleman received P100,000, a year’s supply of McJIM Classic Leather products and a trophy designed by The Philippine STAR’s Igan D’ Bayan. The Élan Awards also donated P100,000 to World Vision, which is Christian’s chosen charity recipient. 

Other celebrities short listed for the title were Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Phil Younghusband, Richard Poon, Jericho Rosales, Erwan Heussaff and Sen. Sonny Angara.

As for the other heartthrob Markki, joining the lead cast of the currently ongoing comedy movie Raketeros and playing the role of Robin Padilla’s son in an upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry are major steps towards improving his acting craft. 

“You can’t go wrong if you know a little bit of everything,” he told the press in a recent chat where he spoke about his busy schedule. 

After playing Shane Gray in the Repertory Philippines’ stage adaptation of Camp Rock, he was tapped to play lead in Atlantis’ theatrical version of Stephen King’s breakthrough novel Carrie.

On the big screen, he raised the bar after receiving critical nods for his act in last year’s Cinema One Originals film Slumber Party. He played what amounted to “his boldest and most daring” yet in this year’s Cinemalaya entry Amor Y Muerte. 

He elaborated about his idea of fun through acting, “I’m an adventure-seeker and I always go for something unusual. I’ve always been a horror fan and I’m interested in doing in-depth study of sociopaths for character build-up.” He plays a drug addict son in the Bb. Joyce Bernal-directed Robin movie 10,000 Hours.

Markki is so into every character he portrays that he sometimes seeks the help of psychiatrist-friends to help him “get out of character” through a healthy route.

In the music front, the Pilipinas Got Talent finalist and Cornerstone-managed artist just released a new single called Kung Pwede Lang Ibalik, which he penned himself. His album Thousands Of Pieces, released last year, established him as a mainstream pop jazz voice, especially after the release of his amiable version of familiar tune Call Me Maybe.