Mark didn't win, but apparently fate had other plans. Viva Records, convinced that the 20-year-old could well be the next singing heartthrob because of his talent, looks and charm, wasted no time by signing him to a contract.
Now, Mark's self-titled album is out. It contains 12 cuts, including his version of "Ngayon at Kailanman," a Basil Valdez classic that Marks sang during the "S4AN" grand finals, and "Ako'y Maghihintay," a duet with Sarah Geronimo. The other songs are "Baliw," "Kapag Ako'y Kailangan," "Another Chance," "Sayang Naman," "One Girl," "Lahat sa Buhay Ko" ang revivals of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "Out Here On My Own," "Lost Without Your Love" and "Power of Love."
Mark will soon be starting a series of mall shows to promote the album, which he says is a bonus on top of all the good things that have been happening to him since the "S4AN" finals. "All my life I really just wanted to perform, and now, I have an album. I'm very thankful to the Lord, because He gave me more than what I asked for," he says.
Mark stated singing when he was nine years old in his hometown, Cagayan De Oro. The occasion was a wedding, and he performed the first song his mother taught him, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." After that, he joined the school choir and occasionally sang with a boyband and as a solo singer. When a friend texted him to say that "Star For A Night" was holding auditions in Cebu, Mark joined and won. But for the second round of auditions, he had to come to Manila. The problem was, he didn't have enough money for the trip.
He sought help from his dad, a former seaman who had a friend who worked in a cargo shipping company. For just P150, Mark and his brother took one of the company's cargo ships to Manila, traveling for two and a half days and reaching Manila just in time. "A few days after the audition, we were supposed to go back to the province on the same cargo ship we took coming here, when Viva called me," recalls Mark. "I thought they were going to tell me that I passed the auditions, but instead they asked if I was interested in joining a boyband."
Mark said yes, but when he got to Viva, he was "ambushed" and told that he'd been asked to come back because he made it to the "Star For A Night" finals! "I couldn't believe it. Sobrang saya ko that moment," he says.
He isn't bitter that he lost. "I can never forget that experience. That, plus the exposure, was enough to make me happy. I got my 15 minutes of fame, then I found out that Viva had other plans for me. Kaya malaki talaga ang pasasalamat ko sa 'Star For A Night'."
Besides, with this album, he already feels like a winner. No doubt, his growing number of fans will agree that this is one performer who will definitely go places.
Mark Bautista's first solo album is now available at all record bars and outlets under Viva Records, sponsored by Hair Works Extreme Styling Gel and Discovery Spa.
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jelly! hahahaha
