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finalist, Mark Bautista, feels doubly pressured by the
release of his eponymous debut album under Viva Music.

Aside from worrying over public reception, his comes
in the heels of the success of Sarah Geronimo's (the
grand champion of the same singing contest) that has
so far yielded two hit singles and a Platinum award.

Still, Mark chooses to make the most of his turn by
being optimistic. "May kanya-kanya naman kaming
talents so siguro naman may puwang kaming lahat sa
business. Regarding Sarah, I honestly believe she
deserves her successes kasi magaling naman talaga siya
at mabait. Like her, I'll just offer everything to my
family para i-bless din ako ni Lord, " says the
chinky-eyed singer.

According to the 20-year-old heartthrob, most of his
earnings go to his family in Cagayan de Oro. After
all, his father (a retired seaman) and mother (a
homemaker) need all the assistance they can get in
sending Mark's siblings to school.

"Mahirap lang kasi kami kaya nga kailangan naming
tumigil sa pag-aaral for a while," says Mark. "Nuon
ngang nag-audition ako sa 'Star For A Night' dito sa
Manila, kinailangan pa naming manghiram ng R150 sa
kaibigan ng Dad ko para lang may pampamasahe
pangluwas."

Fortunately, things are beginning to pay off for Mark.
Though he didn't win grand prize in "Star," Viva
Records has been giving him mall shows, guest
appearances on TV and a duet with Sarah that led to
his waxing his every own album.

Done in the last two months, "Mark Bautista" contains
several quality originals and remakes of familiar
tunes. Among these are "Kapag Ako'y Kailangan," "Lahat
sa Buhay Ko," "Ako'y Maghihintay" (composed by Wency
Cornejo and done as a duet with Sarah) and the first
single, "Baliw," also a finalist in the upcoming Mang
Levi Songwriting Contest.

The five rehashes are "Ngayon At Kailanman" (which
Mark sang during the finals night of "Star For A
Night"), "Out Here On My Own," "Lost Without Your
Love," "Power Of Love," and "Will You Still Love Me
Tomorrow."

Mark started singing at the age of nine. When he hit
his teens, he joined a boy band before becoming a
featured singer in a local piano bar.

"I remember the first salary I got for my singing:
R500. Minsan nga, R150 per set lang ang bayad sa akin
so kulang na kulang talaga. I did not join singing
contests din kasi I didn't think I had the face nor
enough talent to win. "Star For A Night" was my first
kaya naman I feel blessed with all the good things
that have come my way," he says.

The singer admits, though, that fame is something that
he's still getting used to. "Nagugulat pa din ako pag
may nakakakilala sa akin sa MRT. Pag may bumabati sa
akin, gusto kong lumingon sa likod ka para siguraduhin
kung ako nga ang tinutukoy nila," he says.

Still simple and down-to-earth, Mark confessed that he
still does household chores like laundry and cooking.
He also has put off buying a new mobile phone in favor
of saving money for his family and for buying clothes
that he uses during shows.

"I call them everyday kasi sobrang namimiss ko na
sila. Ilang beses pa lang ako nakakauwi magmula nuong
finals ng 'Star For A Night' kaya naman I promised
that I would spend Christmas sa Cagayan. Dream ko nga
din ang mag-launch ng album ko duon, eh," he says.

Another dream that Mark harbors is a chance to do a
duet either with Regine Velasquez and Lani Misalucha
on "S.O.P."

Does Mark have a girl friend to keep him warm during
the holidays?
"Wala. Madami ngang nagsasabi sa akin, 'Bakit hindi na
lang si Sarah?' I tell them that Sarah is, indeed,
someone any guy would fall for. Pero she's still young
- and so am I! Madami pang dapat abutin, i-prioritize.
Love can wait. At saka andyan si Mommy niya. (laughs)
For now, magkapatid na lang muna ang turingan namin sa
isa't isa. Kuya na muna ako sa buhay niya," Mark ends.

"Mark Bautista" is now available at all record bars
and outlets under Viva Records, sponsored by Hair
Works Extreme Styling Gel and Discovery Spa. -

(showbizpinoy.com)

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