Mark Bautista sums up his dreams

There are probably some or maybe just one or two of his dreams that did not come true. But all in all, the past 20 years have been very good for singer Mark Bautista. His fans are familiar with his beginnings. His band days while in high school. Then, his college days as a student of architecture. Then, how he made an abrupt about face and decided to concentrate on singing.

That story of how he rode a cargo boat to Manila because he could not afford the plane fare is also well-known. That ride took him to the final auditions for the “Star for a Night,” the first reality singing contest on Philippine television. Mark did not win the competition but he came close as runner-up to Sarah Geronimo and it turned out that that was enough.

From “Star for a Night,” Mark was drafted into a performing group of reality contests winners The Champions with Sarah, Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista and others that kicked off his career with a bang. And two decades later it can indeed be said that his difficult journey from Cagayan de Oro has indeed resulted in a long successful career as one of the country’s top romantic balladeers.

Mark dreamt of stardom back home but what he got was beyond his wildest dreams. There have been many successful concerts here and abroad like “The Champions Tour” with his fellow winners, or on his own as in “The Pop Heartthrob” at the Aliw Theater or “The Sound of Love” at the Music Museum or at La Pachanga in Los Angeles and others.

Mark has made hit recordings like I Need You, You Win the Game, Bato Sa Buhangin, Nang Minsan Lang, Kahit May Mahal Ka ng Iba and Break It To Me Gently. He has ventured into acting, first in motion pictures like “Lastikman” and “Of All the Things.” Then on television in shows like the series “Dwarfina,” or variety presentations like “Party Pilipinas” and “All Out Sundays.”

The story of how Mark missed the call-back for “Disney’s Aladdin” on Broadway has also gone around. But then, he has also already had a number of successes playing the lead roles in several stage musicals like “The Full Monty,” Ryan Cayabyab’s and Bienvenido Lumbera’s “Noli Me Tangere,” and the Apo Hiking Society’s “Eto Na! Musikal na Apo.”

His theater credits also include starring as President Ferdinand Marcos in the London UK and the Seattle U.S. of A. productions of the David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim musical set in the Philippines, “Here Lies Love.” Mark has also ventured into directing for the stage with the concert “Mr. Streisand.”

A look back at all that he has accomplished is what Mark will do when he steps out for his latest solo concert. Titled “Mark My Dreams,” this is set to happen on Aug. 31 at The Theatre in Solaire.

Hopefully, Mark will sing his hits, his I Need You is always a must, and maybe his dreamy medley of standard love songs like Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Love Story, An Affair to Remember, Walk Away and What I Did for Love that never fails to wow his audience.

But then, since he has been in show business for 20 years, it is also time for Mark to try some new sounds in his show. So, he has for his guests the harana heartthrob Arthur Nery, who is also from Cagayan de Oro, the power-singing Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde, the suave singer-composer Rob Deniel; and for a sentimental touch, his favorite mentor and singing partner Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, whom he met when he joined “Star for a Night” in 2004.

Director is GB Sampedro with musical direction by Nico Rivero. Tickets are priced at P7,500, Platinum; P6,500, SVIP; P5,500, VIP; P3,500, Gold; P2,500 Lower Balcony; and P1,500, Upper Balcony.

For ticket inquiries, call Viva Live (02) 8687-5853 local 841 or 0955-0171799 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.